The kidneys remove excess water from the body or retain water when the body needs more. Kidneys regulate building of bones, blood pressure and production of red blood cells. Diabetes requires close medical and preventive attention, specifically good control of blood sugar and blood pressure to prevent kidney failure. Kidney stones develop when chemicals in urine form crystals that stick together and grow in size.
Most stones form in the kidney and some travel to the ureter or bladder.
They are caused by drinking too little fluid, recurrent urinary tract infections, blockage of the urinary tract, limited activity for several weeks or more, intake of excess calcium, uric acid, certain medications or vitamin D and by certain metabolic diseases. Since kidney stones recur, consult with your doctor about prevention. Kidney stones may run in families often with no identifiable cause. High blood pressure can damage the kidneys as well as the heart and brain. The causes are not well understood but the risk of developing high blood pressure is higher in people with a family history of the condition, those who are overweight, middle aged or elderly, have too much salt in their diet or who are Afro-American.