More than three million people seek treatment for kidney stone symptoms annually. The symptoms of a kidney stone include nausea or vomiting along with back or side pain and blood in the urine. A kidney stone is a solid mass or crystal that has an irregular shape and can range in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball. You may be unaware that you have a kidney stone (or stones), depending on their size. Kidney stones range in size from the size of a chickpea to that of a golf ball, with the majority being around the size of a grain of sand. Larger stones may require surgery to remove, but smaller stones can pass through your urinary tract. But one might feel sharp, stabbing pains that subside before the small stone passes out of your body through your bladder.
In this blog, we will learn about six simple steps that one can follow in their daily routine to prevent kidney stones. To make this post enriching, we have gathered insights from Dr. Niren Rao, a renowned kidney doctor in Delhi. Keep reading to learn more.
What is the Cause of Kidney Stones?
- The formation of kidney stones occurs when specific substances, like uric acid, calcium, or oxalate, concentrate to the point where they crystallize in the kidneys. Most stones result from a combination of calcium and oxalate.
- Stones can also form from uric acid, which is a result of purine metabolism. The crystals develop into bigger masses, or stones, that have the ability to pass through the urinary tract.
- If the stone becomes lodged in one place and stops the urine's flow, it can hurt, sometimes resulting in blood in the urine, nausea, and vomiting.
- Urinary frequency, pressure in the bladder, and groin pain are all possible symptoms of stones moving down the ureter into the bladder.
Six Steps One Can Follow to Prevent Kidney Stones
As a wise man once said, prevention is better than cure. Thus expert doctors suggest preventive tios to stop kidney stone formations. Let’s find out, the six easy daily habits that one can inherit to prevent kidney stones from forming in their body, shared by Dr. Niren Rao, the best kidney doctor in South Delhi.
- Drink Plenty of Water
The best way to avoid kidney stones is to drink more water. Your urine production will be low if you do not drink enough water. A low urine output indicates a more concentrated urine that is less likely to dissolve the urine salts that lead to stones. Orange and lemon juice are also excellent choices. Their shared citrate content may help to avoid the formation of stones. Aim for eight glasses of liquid a day, or enough to pass two liters of pee. You will require more fluids if you exercise, frequently sweat, or have a history of cystine stones.
Your urine should be clear or a light yellow color to indicate whether you are properly hydrated. You should drink more if it is dark outside.
- Increase your Calcium Intake
Many people think they should avoid eating calcium because calcium oxalate stones are the most common type of kidney stone. It is the other way around. Diets low in calcium can increase your risk of kidney stones and osteoporosis.
However, taking calcium supplements may make you more susceptible to stones. It might be possible to lower that risk by taking calcium supplements with food.
- Reduce your Sodium Intake
The risk of calcium kidney stones is increased by a diet high in salt. When too much salt is present, calcium cannot be reabsorbed from the urine back into the blood. Kidney stones could result from this elevated calcium level in the urine.
Reducing salt intake aids in lowering calcium levels in the urine. Kidney stone development risk decreases with decreasing urine calcium levels. Always make sure to carefully read food labels in order to cut back on sodium.
Foods well-known for having a lot of sodium in them include:
- Processed foods like crackers and chips
- Soups in cans
- Vegetables in cans
- Lunch meat
- Condiments
- Meals containing monosodium glutamate
- Foods with sodium nitrate in them
- Foods containing baking soda.
- Consume Less Food High in Oxalate
Oxalate is a naturally occurring substance that can be found in food and urine. It combines with calcium to form kidney stones. Reducing the amount of foods high in oxalate could help stop the formation of stones.
High-oxalate foods include:
- Spinach
- Chocolate
- Sweet Potatoes
- Coffee
- Beets
- Peanuts
- Soy Products
When you consume foods high in oxalate and foods high in calcium at the same time, it makes it more difficult for stones to form because oxalate and calcium bind together in the digestive tract before reaching the kidneys.
- Reduce your Intake of Animal Protein
Diets high in animal protein are acidic and can raise the acidity of the urine. Kidney stones containing calcium oxalate and uric acid can both be brought on by high urine acid.
Try to restrict or stay away from:
- Beef
- Chicken
- Fish
- Pork
- Steer Clear of Vitamin C Supplements
Supplementing with vitamin C (ascorbic acid) can result in kidney stones, particularly in men.
Conclusion
Preventing kidney stones requires simple lifestyle changes. Just altering a few things in their diet can help them greatly in staying away from stone pains and maintaining overall kidney health. Hope the readers have understood the significance of maintaining hydration levels, balanced calcium intake, reducing sodium intake, and animal intake, as well as moderation in oxalate-rich foods to prevent kidney stone formation.
If one is facing any symptoms of kidney stones and looking for a urology doctor in Delhi, they can consult with Dr. Niren Rao at Delhi Urology Hospital. In order to help the patient get rid of kidney stones, he first assesses the patient's general health and makes recommendations regarding diet, lifestyle, and medication. The skilled urologist conducts a comprehensive examination to decide the best course of action if the stone is large or the pain is excruciating. The surgical treatments provided by the doctor for kidney stone removal include PCNL and RIRS surgery. Visit the expert right now to learn more!
More Details Read Blogs:
Kidney Stones - Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Comments
Post a Comment