Curious about the different types of kidney stones?
Calcium Oxalate Stones The most common kidney stone is made of calcium oxalate. Calcium is a main constituent of bone and is always present in blood and urine. Oxalate is a by-product of metabolism and is also present in many foods. When they combine in the kidneys, calcium and oxalate produce a very insoluble salt that easily forms a solid stone. Once they form, these stones can never dissolve and must be passed or broken up by a surgeon using modern technologies. Calcium Phosphate Stones Less common are calcium phosphate stones. Calcium phosphate crystals are the stiffener that makes bone rigid. Large amounts of phosphate from food are eliminated in the urine of normal people every day. The usual cause of calcium phosphate stones is a disease that increases urine calcium and also makes the urine abnormally alkaline. When the urine is not alkaline, high urine calcium concentrations produce mainly calcium oxalate stones, but when the urine is alkaline, calcium is bound by urine phospho
