Kidney stones can usually be passed without doing any real damage to the kidneys. The biggest medical fear related to stones is an obstruction that leads to an infection. Once a person has a kidney stone attack, only ten percent have another episode within a year, but about have a reoccurrence within ten years. Many factors can make a person suspectable to kidney stones. Diet and genetics are two of the biggest culprits.
Dehydration makes urine more concentrated and therefore more likely to produce stones.
Urine that is acidic is more likely to form calcium and uric acid stones, whereas alkaline urine will form struvite stones. Diets that are low in fiber and water, and high in protein can promote the formation of kidney stones. Uric acid stones can form when there is too much uric acid in the urine. This can be the result of severe dieting, excessive drinking, and certain illnesses. Fifteen percent of uric acid stone suffers have high levels of uric acid in their urine.