Types of kidney stones and methods of prevention: Tips from Dr. Faisal Shaheen

Dr. Faisal Abdulrahim Shaheen, a senior consultant in nephrology, confirmed that urinary tract stones have become an increasing health challenge, ranking among the most common urological diseases in recent years. He pointed out that understanding the subtle differences between the types of stones and their formation mechanisms is the cornerstone of prevention strategies and avoiding the serious health complications that can result from neglecting them.

Environmental and health context of stone spread

Kidney stones are an age-old ailment, yet their incidence has risen significantly globally and regionally due to changing modern lifestyles. Experts point out that the Arabian Gulf region, due to its hot climate, lies within what is medically known as the "kidney stone belt," where high temperatures contribute to increased sweating and fluid loss, leading to higher salt concentrations in urine and increasing the likelihood of stone formation. This makes raising awareness about this disease a pressing need at the national and regional levels to reduce the burden on the healthcare sector.

Mechanism of formation and types of stones

In an interview with Al-Youm newspaper, Dr. Shaheen explained that kidney stones form within the kidney tissue due to an imbalance between fluids, salts, and minerals such as calcium, oxalate, and uric acid. These stones start small, but they can grow over time if left undetected. The severity of symptoms and risks increase when the stone moves towards the ureter.

Dr. Shaheen detailed the types of stones based on their location and impact:

• Ureteral stones: These are the most painful, as they move from the kidney to settle in the narrow ureter, causing severe "renal colic," and may be accompanied by nausea and blood in the urine.
• Bladder stones: These are often formed as a result of incomplete bladder emptying, or due to prostate enlargement in men and narrowing of the urethra, which leads to the deposition of salts at the bottom of the bladder, causing difficulty and burning during urination.

Causes and risk factors

The causes of the infection are numerous and vary from person to person, but Dr. Shaheen identified a set of key factors, most notably:

• Drinking too little water and fluids leads to concentrated urine.
• An unbalanced diet that relies on excessive salt and animal proteins.
• Genetic factors and metabolic disorders.
• Using certain medications that affect the salt balance.

The relationship between aging and gallstones

Regarding the effect of age, Dr. Shaheen explained that the elderly may be more susceptible not because of age itself, but as a result of factors associated with aging, such as a weakened sense of thirst, a decline in the kidneys’ physiological ability to concentrate urine, in addition to chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Golden tips for prevention

Dr. Faisal Shaheen concluded his remarks by presenting a roadmap for prevention, emphasizing the need to drink 2 to 3 liters of water daily, reduce salt, pickles, and fast food consumption, moderate red meat intake, and increase consumption of fruits and vegetables. He also advised avoiding soft drinks and energy drinks, exercising regularly, and stressed the importance of regular kidney function tests, especially for those with a family history of the disease.