Can kidney stones cause kidney failure?

One instance of kidney stones does not typically cause kidney failure. However, kidney stones, especially recurrent ones, may increase a person’s risk of developing it.

Kidney failure has varying degrees of severity and can present as acute kidney injury. This can occur when stones obstruct the urinary tract and resolve when the kidney stone passes or when a doctor places a stent or removes the stone.

Kidney failure may also present as chronic kidney disease, which occurs over longer periods of time and with different stages.

End stage kidney failure occurs when a person’s kidney function drops below 15% of its typical function. This prevents the organs from performing their usual role in the body and can lead to other health issues.

Kidney failure symptoms may develop slowly, which can prevent people from recognizing them. However, signs may include:

• headaches
• itchiness
• swelling in the lower body
• daytime fatigue and difficulty sleeping
• nausea
• loss of appetite
• making little or no urine
• muscle cramps and weakness
• painful joints
• confusion
• difficulty focusing

People need to speak with a doctor if they develop the above symptoms. A doctor can diagnose the underlying cause and provide suitable treatment.

Some research suggests kidney stones affect 1 in 11 people in the United States.

This condition may be more likely to affect males than females. According to the American Kidney Fund, over 1 in 10 males and 1 in 14 females in the United States may have kidney stones at some point.

In most cases, kidney stones pass on their own, but some individuals may require hospital treatment.

Research from 2022 suggests that the recurrence rate of kidney stones ranges from 6.1% to 66.9%. Certain risk factors may increase the risk of recurrence, including:

• younger age
• a family history of kidney stones
• a higher body mass index (BMI)
• high blood pressure
• uric acid stones, a type of kidney stone that forms when there is too much uric acid in a person’s urine

Recurring kidney stones can damage tubular epithelial cells in the kidneys. This damage can hinder the function of the renal parenchyma, the part of the kidneys responsible for filtering and removing bodily waste.

As well as increasing the risk of kidney failure, kidney stones may also increase the risk of other health conditions, including:

• hypertension
• atherosclerosis
• stroke
• heart attack

People need to speak with a healthcare professional if they experience symptoms of kidney stones. A healthcare professional may wish to monitor the individual to ensure the stones pass and that they do not develop complications.

People can take steps to prevent kidney stones or reduce their risk of recurrence. Tips for prevention include:

• drinking plenty of fluids — up to 3 liters of fluid daily
• limiting fizzy drinks
• limiting or reducing salt intake
• drinking more fluids when exercising or in hot temperatures

If people find it hard to drink enough water each day, they could drink alternative fluids, such as tea or coffee. Adding ingredients to water, such as slices of lemon or cucumber, may also make it more palatable.

A doctor may also suggest other dietary changes, such as increasing dietary fiber.