It may also be due to regional diet. People with gout can have kidney stones made from uric acid. Stones are more common in men, but rare in children and African-Americans. It is important to drink plenty of water to flush out the urinary system. Reducing calcium in the diet only benefits patients who form calcium based stones.
Physical activity seems to help prevent stones.
Certain genetic factors may contribute to having kidney stones. Gout, hormone imbalance, urinary infections, or urinary obstruction are other possible factors. An exam for kidney stones includes X-rays and analysis of urine. The healthcare provider may ask for many urine samples to watch for changes over the course of the day. A healthcare provider might extract large stones surgically.