Why Are More Young Adults Getting Kidney Stones? Thu , Aug 20

• Kidney stones can develop even in young adults who otherwise consider themselves healthy. Low fluid intake, high sodium intake, certain dietary patterns, family history, obesity, digestive conditions and some metabolic or urinary disorders can all increase the risk.

  For many young adults, one of the most important modifiable factors is not drinking enough fluids, especially during hot weather, exercise or activities that cause heavy sweating. However, kidney stones do not have a single cause, and prevention should ideally be based on the type of stone and the person’s individual risk factors.

Fast Facts

• • Kidney stones are hard deposits that form from substances present in urine.
  • Young, otherwise healthy adults can develop kidney stones.
  • Not drinking enough fluids is an important modifiable risk factor.
  • High sodium intake and some dietary patterns can increase the risk of certain types of kidney stones.
  • Family history and a previous kidney stone increase the likelihood of developing stones.
  • Kidney stone pain may occur in the back, side, lower abdomen or groin.
  • Fever or chills, difficulty urinating, persistent vomiting or severe symptoms need prompt medical assessment.

What Are Kidney Stones?

• Kidney stones are hard deposits that form when certain substances in urine become concentrated enough to form crystals.

  Urine naturally contains minerals and other substances. Under certain conditions, some of these substances can crystallise and gradually form stones.

  Kidney stones can vary considerably in size. A small stone may pass through the urinary tract, while a larger stone may become lodged and obstruct the flow of urine.

What are the main types of kidney stones?

• Kidney stones include:

  • Calcium stones, including calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones
  • Uric acid stones
  • Struvite stones
  • Cystine stones

  Knowing the type of kidney stone can be useful because prevention strategies differ according to the stone type and underlying cause.

Why Are Young Adults Getting Kidney Stones?

• There is usually no single explanation. Kidney stones can result from a combination of hydration, diet, genetics, medical conditions and environmental factors.

  Research indicates that kidney stone disease has been increasing in younger populations, although trends vary between populations and regions.

  For an individual patient, the more useful question is therefore not simply “Why are young people getting stones?” but:

  “What factors may be causing my kidney stone?”

  Here are some of the important possibilities.

1. Not Drinking Enough Water

• Low fluid intake is one of the most important modifiable kidney stone risk factors.

  When you do not drink enough fluid, urine becomes more concentrated. This makes it easier for minerals and other substances to reach concentrations at which crystals may form.

  Your fluid needs can also increase when you:

  • Exercise heavily
  • Sweat a lot
  • Work outdoors
  • Spend long periods in hot environments
  • Live in a hot climate

  For people living in warm climates or exercising regularly, replacing fluids lost through sweating is particularly important.

  NIDDK identifies drinking enough liquid—mainly water—as one of the most important measures for preventing kidney stones.

2. Eating Too Much Salt

• A high-sodium diet can increase the risk of certain kidney stones.

  Higher sodium intake can increase calcium in the urine, which may contribute to calcium-containing stone formation in susceptible people.

  Common sources of high sodium intake include:

  • Packaged snacks
  • Fast food
  • Restaurant meals
  • Processed foods
  • Ready-to-eat meals
  • Pickles
  • Sauces and condiments
  • Some packaged meats

  This does not mean that salt alone causes every kidney stone. Dietary recommendations should consider the type of stone and the individual’s health.

3. Eating Large Amounts of Animal Protein

• Higher intake of animal protein may increase the likelihood of certain kidney stones in people who are susceptible.

  Animal protein sources can include:

  • Red meat
  • Poultry
  • Fish and seafood
  • Eggs
  • Other animal-derived foods

  However, this does not mean everyone with kidney stones should eliminate animal protein.

  The amount and type of protein appropriate for you depend on your nutritional requirements, health conditions and stone type.

4. Following Extreme or Restrictive Diets

• Crash diets and highly restrictive eating patterns can sometimes create problems if they result in:

  • Inadequate fluid intake
  • Excessive intake of certain foods
  • Very high animal-protein intake
  • Poorly balanced nutrition

  Rather than following a generic “kidney stone diet,” prevention should be personalised according to your stone type and risk factors.

  This is particularly important because the dietary advice for one type of stone may not be identical to the advice for another.

5. Hot Weather and Heavy Sweating

• Hot conditions do not directly create a kidney stone overnight.

  The concern is fluid loss.

  If you sweat heavily and do not adequately replace lost fluids, your urine may become more concentrated.

  This makes hydration particularly relevant for:

  • Athletes
  • Gym-goers
  • Outdoor workers
  • People exercising in hot conditions
  • People living in hot climates

6. Family History and Genetics

• Kidney stones can run in families.

  If a close family member has had kidney stones, your own risk may be higher. Some inherited disorders can also contribute to particular types of stones.

  A strong family history becomes particularly relevant when kidney stones occur repeatedly or at a very young age.

7. Certain Medical Conditions

• Lifestyle is only one part of the picture.

  Kidney stone risk can also be influenced by conditions involving the urinary tract, digestive system or metabolism.

  Examples may include:

  • Certain digestive disorders
  • Previous gastrointestinal surgery
  • Urinary tract abnormalities
  • Recurrent urinary infections in relevant stone types
  • Cystinuria
  • Obesity
  • Other metabolic or medical conditions

  Some medicines and supplements may also affect stone risk in certain people.

  If you develop recurrent stones despite following healthy habits, further evaluation may help identify an underlying cause.

Can a Healthy Person Get Kidney Stones?

• Yes. A person can appear healthy and still develop a kidney stone.

  Someone who exercises, maintains a healthy weight and has no known chronic illness may still have factors such as:

  • Low fluid intake
  • High sodium intake
  • Family history
  • Particular urine chemistry
  • An underlying metabolic tendency
  • A medical condition that has not yet been identified

  So developing a kidney stone does not necessarily mean that you have been living an unhealthy lifestyle.

  It does, however, provide a reason to understand why the stone developed, particularly if stones recur.

What Are the Symptoms of Kidney Stones?

• Kidney stones may cause symptoms when they move through the urinary tract or interfere with urine flow.

  Common kidney stone symptoms include:

  • Sharp or severe pain in the back or side
  • Pain that moves towards the lower abdomen or groin
  • Pain that comes and goes in waves
  • Blood in the urine
  • Pain or burning during urination
  • Frequent or urgent need to urinate
  • Passing only a small amount of urine
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

  NIDDK lists sharp back, side, lower abdominal or groin pain, blood in the urine and urinary symptoms among common signs of kidney stones.

When Should You Worry About Kidney Stone Symptoms?

• Severe pain or symptoms suggesting infection or urinary obstruction require prompt medical assessment.

  Seek medical attention urgently if you have kidney stone symptoms together with:

  • Fever or chills
  • Severe or worsening pain
  • Persistent vomiting
  • Difficulty or inability to urinate
  • Significant blood in the urine
  • Severe weakness or feeling very unwell

  A urinary obstruction associated with infection can become serious and requires urgent medical treatment.

How Are Kidney Stones Diagnosed?

• Kidney stones are diagnosed using your symptoms and medical history together with appropriate urine, blood and imaging tests.

  Your doctor may ask about:

  • Where the pain occurs
  • When symptoms started
  • Previous kidney stones
  • Family history
  • Fluid intake
  • Dietary habits
  • Medicines and supplements
  • Other medical conditions

  Depending on your situation, evaluation may include:

  • Urine tests
  • Blood tests
  • Ultrasound
  • CT imaging
  • X-rays in selected circumstances
  • Analysis of a stone that has been passed or removed
  • 24-hour urine testing in selected patients, particularly when evaluating recurrent stone formation

  Testing helps determine the size, location and possible cause of the stone and whether it is blocking the urinary tract.

How Are Kidney Stones Treated?

• Treatment depends on the stone’s size and location, your symptoms, the likelihood of the stone passing and whether infection or urinary obstruction is present.

  A small stone may sometimes pass without a procedure.

  Treatment may include, depending on the individual case:

  • Appropriate fluid intake
  • Pain-relieving medication
  • Medicines that may help selected stones pass
  • Treatment of an underlying medical condition
  • Dietary or preventive changes
  • Shock wave lithotripsy
  • Ureteroscopy
  • Other stone-removal procedures when appropriate

  Larger stones, stones causing obstruction, or stones associated with complications may require procedural treatment.

  Do not attempt to treat severe kidney stone symptoms only by drinking large amounts of water. If you have severe pain, fever, vomiting or difficulty passing urine, seek medical assessment.

How Can Young Adults Prevent Kidney Stones?

• Good hydration is one of the most important preventive measures, but the best prevention plan depends on the type and cause of the kidney stone.

  Practical steps may include:

  Drink Enough Fluids

  Drink regularly throughout the day and pay particular attention to fluid replacement during hot weather or physical activity.

  Your appropriate fluid intake may differ if you have kidney, heart or other medical conditions, so follow your doctor’s advice where applicable.

  Reduce Excess Sodium

  Cut back on frequent high-sodium processed and packaged foods.

  Don’t Unnecessarily Restrict Calcium

  Having a calcium kidney stone does not automatically mean you should remove calcium from your diet.

  Adequate dietary calcium can be important, and NIDDK specifically advises getting enough calcium from foods for people with relevant calcium stones.

  Do not significantly restrict dietary calcium unless your healthcare professional advises you to.

  Review Your Protein Intake

  If your diet contains large amounts of animal protein, discuss whether changes are appropriate for your stone type and overall nutritional needs.

  Maintain a Healthy Weight

  Being overweight is associated with a higher risk of kidney stones.

  Aim for sustainable weight management rather than crash dieting.

  Find Out What Type of Stone You Had

  If you pass or have a stone removed, stone analysis may provide useful information.

  Knowing whether it is a calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, uric acid, cystine or another type of stone can help guide prevention.

Urologist or Nephrologist: Who Should You See for Kidney Stones?

• Both urologists and nephrologists may be involved in kidney stone care, but their roles are different.

  A urologist generally evaluates and treats stones that are causing pain, obstruction or other urinary-tract problems and performs procedures when a stone needs to be removed.

  A nephrologist may be particularly helpful when there are recurrent stones, abnormal urine chemistry, metabolic causes or other kidney-related medical concerns.

  Some patients benefit from care involving both specialties.

  Consider specialist evaluation if you have:

  • Recurrent kidney stones
  • Persistent or severe pain
  • Blood in the urine
  • Difficulty passing urine
  • Recurrent urinary infections
  • A strong family history of kidney stones
  • A stone that is not passing
  • Kidney stones at an unusually young age
  • Multiple or bilateral stones
  • Suspected metabolic abnormalities

Expert Insight

• “Kidney stones can occur even in young adults who otherwise appear healthy. Hydration, diet, family history and metabolic factors may all contribute. Understanding the likely cause is particularly important in people with recurrent stones or stones occurring at a young age, because prevention can often be tailored to the individual’s risk factors and stone type.”

Key Takeaways

• • Young and otherwise healthy adults can develop kidney stones.
  • Kidney stones have multiple possible causes rather than one single trigger.
  • Low fluid intake is an important modifiable risk factor.
  • High sodium intake and some dietary patterns may increase the risk of certain stones.
  • Genetics, medical conditions and urine chemistry can also play a role.
  • Severe pain with fever, chills, persistent vomiting or difficulty urinating needs prompt medical assessment.
  • Identifying the stone type and possible cause can help guide prevention.
  • Dietary calcium should not automatically be restricted because someone has had a calcium-containing stone.

Conclusion

• Kidney stones are not limited to older adults or people with obvious health problems. Young, otherwise healthy adults can develop them too.

  For some people, low fluid intake, high sodium intake or other dietary factors contribute. For others, family history, urine chemistry or an underlying medical condition may be more important.

  That is why prevention should go beyond simply telling everyone to “drink more water.”

  If you develop a kidney stone, particularly if stones recur the goal should be to understand what type of stone you have, why it may be forming and which preventive measures are appropriate for you.

Book an Appointment

• Experiencing sudden or recurring symptoms that may be related to kidney stones?

  At MGM Healthcare, specialists can evaluate kidney stone symptoms, determine the stone’s location and size, assess relevant risk factors and recommend treatment based on individual needs.

  People with recurrent kidney stones may also benefit from evaluation to understand possible causes and ways to reduce the risk of future stones.

  Consult the appropriate MGM Healthcare specialist if you have persistent kidney stone symptoms or want to understand your risk of recurrence.