DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

Back to Globe
Nephrologic Disease

Recurrent Kidney Stones (Nephrolithiasis)

MODERATE

Recurrent formation of solid mineral deposits in the kidneys, causing severe pain and potential kidney damage. Affects 1 in 10 people; 50% recurrence rate within 5-10 years without preventive measures. Most common type: calcium oxalate.

Global Affected

500.0M

Countries

111

Symptoms

Severe flank pain (colicky)
Radiating pain to groin
Blood in urine (hematuria)
Nausea and vomiting
Fever and chills (if infected)
Urinary urgency
Difficulty passing urine
Cloudy or foul-smelling urine

Treatment Options

Pain management (NSAIDs, opioids)
Medical expulsive therapy (tamsulosin)
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)
Ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL)
Open surgery (rarely)
Thiazide diuretics
Potassium citrate

Risk Factors

1Low fluid intake
2Family history
3High sodium diet
4High oxalate foods
5High protein diet
6Obesity
7Gout/hyperuricemia
8Certain medications
9Urinary tract abnormalities
10Hot climates
11Cystinuria
12Hyperparathyroidism

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1CT scan (non-contrast, gold standard)
  • 2Ultrasound (radiation-free)
  • 3KUB X-ray (limited)
  • 4Urinalysis
  • 5Stone analysis
  • 624-hour urine collection
  • 7Blood tests (calcium, uric acid, phosphorus)

Prognosis

50% recurrence rate within 5-10 years without prevention. With proper metabolic evaluation and preventive measures, recurrence reduced to 10-20%. Risk of chronic kidney disease with recurrent stones.

Prevention

  • High fluid intake (2.5-3L urine/day)
  • Reduced sodium intake
  • Moderate animal protein
  • Calcium intake with meals
  • Limit high-oxalate foods
  • Citrus fruits/citrate
  • Medications for specific stone types
  • Regular follow-up

Research Status

Thiazide diuretics reduce calcium excretion. Potassium citrate alkalinizes urine. Tamsulosin aids stone passage. Ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy minimally invasive. PCNL for large stones. AI for stone composition prediction.

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanChinaIndiaBrazilRussiaSwedenNetherlandsBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaDenmarkNorwayFinlandPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaLTLVEEIrelandPortugalGreeceCYMTLUIcelandNew ZealandSouth KoreaSingaporeTaiwanHong KongMalaysiaThailandVietnamIndonesiaPhilippinesSouth AfricaNigeriaEgyptTurkeyIranSaudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitOmanJordanLebanonSyriaYemenIraqAfghanistanPakistanBangladeshLKNPMMKHLAMNKazakhstanUzbekistanTMKGTJAzerbaijanAMGEUkraineBelarusMDALBAMEMKSerbiaXKMexicoArgentinaChileColombiaPeruVenezuelaEcuadorUYPYBOCRPAGuatemalaHNSVNIBZJMHaitiDominican RepublicCuba

Sources

  • https://www.cdc.gov/
  • https://www.hematology.org/education/patients
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
  • https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.