Composition of the diet and calcium kidney stones
Article Abstract:
An increased level of dietary calcium may decrease the risk of developing a kidney stone. Kidney stones are common among both men and women, and approximately 80% contain calcium oxalate. The formation of a calcium kidney stone begins with a microscopic crystal attached to the side of a kidney tubule. Calcium stones may be prevented by increasing urinary volume and decreasing urinary levels of calcium and oxalate. Increased levels of dietary calcium are associated with increased levels of urinary calcium. A research study found an association between increased levels of dietary calcium and a decreased risk of kidney stones among more than 45,000 men between 40 and 75 years old. Increased levels of dietary calcium may help precipitate oxalate in the intestines and decrease levels in the urine. Other dietary factors and fluid intake may affect the risk of developing kidney stones.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1993
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The pathogenesis and treatment of kidney stones
Article Abstract:
Approximately three-fourths of patients with kidney stone disease develop calcium oxalate stones. The other fourth develop stones made up of calcium phosphate, uric acid, struvite or cystine. The chemical composition of a kidney stone determines its size and shape and can be analyzed using polarization microscopy. Symptoms of kidney stone disease include intense back pain, nausea and vomiting. Some patients may experience an increase in urinary frequency and difficulty or pain on urination. Smaller stones are usually passed spontaneously in the urine. Larger stones must removed using a ureteroscope or broken up in place using extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy. Some kidney stones must be removed surgically. Patients with certain metabolic disorders have a higher risk of developing kidney stones or recurrent kidney stone disease than other individuals.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1992
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Diet and calcium: the end of an era?
Article Abstract:
It may no longer be appropriate to recommend a low-calcium diet to people at risk of forming kidney stones. Although calcium is a major component of kidney stones, studies of low-calcium diets in the prevention and treatment of kidney stones have failed to show any benefit. A 1997 study echoed this conclusion when it found that women on a low-calcium diet had a greater risk of kidney stones than women consuming higher amounts of dietary calcium. Thiazides are also effective in preventing kidney stone formation and also cause bones to absorb more calcium.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1997
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