Kidney stones and frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) may be linked through shared risk factors and mutual influence. Common factors such as dehydration and urinary stasis contribute to both conditions. Frequent UTIs can potentially promote the formation of kidney stones due to infection-induced crystallization of minerals. Conversely, kidney stones can predispose individuals to UTIs by obstructing urine flow, creating a favorable environment for bacterial growth. Adequate hydration, dietary modifications, and medical management play an important role in preventing both kidney stones and recurrent UTIs, emphasizing the importance of seeking professional guidance for individualized care and prevention strategies.
Your urinary tract is the filtration system for your body, but the organs it contains help with many other functions. For example, your kidneys function as blood pressure regulators and hormone and red blood cell producers. In addition to blood filtration and waste removal, your urinary system helps maintain electrolyte and fluid balance, reabsorb essential chemicals, and aid muscle and nerve function.
Sadly, we don't focus on these functions when we deal with two common conditions that affect it: kidney stones and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Each year, more than half a million people go to emergency care to get help for kidney stones, and 8.1 million people go to get help for UTIs in the same time frame. Both can affect the basic functions of the urinary system, and both have potential complications that can make things worse. But, is there any connection between the diseases? Is it possible that one could cause the other?
To learn more, let's examine both conditions in more detail and see how one can lead to the other. If you live in the Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, or South Florida area and you are struggling with any condition and need relief, Dr. Craig Herman and Steven Kester and their medical team at Urology Center of Florida can help. Is.
Understanding Kidney Stones and UTIs
Let's start with hard, crystalline masses that can accumulate in your kidneys, called kidney stones, kidney stones, nephrolithiasis, or urolithiasis. These stones are of different types depending on the cause of the condition. Dehydration, poor eating habits, obesity, digestive diseases, and certain surgeries, medications, and supplements can increase your chances of getting them. If you have these, you're likely to experience any or all of these symptoms:
- severe pain under your ribs and in your back
- pain spreading to your lower abdomen and back
- painful urination
- strange-colored, cloudy, or smelly urine
- frequent urge to urinate
- nausea
- vomit
Chills if you have a fever.
UTIs, on the other hand, are the result of bacteria entering the urinary system and causing problems throughout your urinary tract (often caused by Escherichia coli, or E. coli, bacteria found in your intestinal tract and your stool). Due to physical differences, women are more likely to deal with them than men. other reason:
- use of catheter
- Sexual act
- urinary tract obstruction
- immune system suppression
- some forms of birth control
- menopause
Many of the symptoms are similar to those of kidney stones, but UTIs may be accompanied by increased pelvic pressure, bloody urine, burning sensation during urination, and small amounts of urine.
How can one cause the other
Current Urology reports the results of several studies citing mutual coexistence of the two diseases, with data indicating that there was such an association in 36% of cases. In fact, in cases in which people had both conditions and the kidney stones were removed, the UTIs were cured, and removing the stones helped prevent future re-infections.
So, while the possibility of getting kidney stones along with frequent UTIs is not new information among experts, research tells us that people with stones have an increased risk of urinary tract infections. Both have some similar symptoms, affect the same areas of the urinary tract, and may increase the chance of getting the other condition.
Whether you are dealing with frequent UTIs or kidney stones, we are here to help you get relief and prevent them from recurring. So, if you have symptoms of any condition, make an appointment online or by 📞calling any of our offices today.