How to Prevent Kidney Stones
What is a Kidney Stone?
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A kidney stone, or nephrolithiasis, is a hard mass formed in the kidneys, typically consisting of insoluble calcium compounds. Characterized by severe pain at the side of the abdomen, back and below the ribs, kidney stones can exist in your body before any sensations of discomfort. Once the stone passes into the ureter (the channel between the kidney and bladder), symptoms may appear.
Symptoms of a Kidney Stone
You may have a kidney stone if you experience severe pain along the side and back of your abdomen. Pain that comes at intervals in length and severity is common. Changes in urination including frequency, discoloration, odor and pain are also symptoms of a kidney stone, as well as nausea and vomiting.
Treatment of a Kidney Stone
In order to treat your kidney stone, your doctor will perform a kidney stone analysis to learn more about your condition, determining whether it can pass on its own without surgical intervention. Most kidney stones do not require surgery. Non-surgical treatments include drinking copious amounts of water to help the kidney stone pass and the usage of over the counter pain relievers, such as anti-inflammatory medication.
More severe kidney stones may require medical therapy, such as an alpha blocker (a prescribed muscle relaxant that eliminates tightness in the ureter) or a forced stone removal. However, the easiest way to prevent a kidney stone is understanding how different types of kidney stones may form in your body.
Types of Kidney Stones
Calcium Stones
Most kidney stones are categorized as calcium stones, formed in the heightened presence of calcium-oxalate. Certain fruits, nuts, vegetables and chocolate carry a high percentage of calcium oxalate. High doses of Vitamin D, intestinal bypass surgery and a number of metabolic disorders can also elevate levels of calcium-oxalate in the body.
Struvite Stones
Struvite stones form in response to infection. Therefore, they are likely to appear suddenly and unexpectedly. Those with greater exposure to urinary tract infections are more likely to develop this stone.
Uric Acid Stones
Uric Acid Stones are formed in people who are not drinking enough liquids. People who lose a lot of liquid (through urine and sweat) or eat a diet high in protein are also more likely to develop this type of stone. Additionally, genetic factors and the presence of gout may increase the risk of uric acid stone development.
Cystine Stones
Some kidney stones can only form from a pre-disposed genetic condition. Cystine stones occur in people who carry the inherited trait that forces the kidney to excrete an excess amount of the amino acid, cystinuria.
Preventing Kidney Stones
Treating this condition can be tricky and the best way to avoid this condition is by preventing it from ever happening in the first place. Anyone who’s ever had a kidney stone can tell you it may have been the single most painful experience of his or her life. Read the suggestions below to learn more about preventing this condition.
Drink Water
Dehydration and lowered levels of liquid in the body are directly linked to the formation of kidney stones. In order to prevent dehydration, drink plenty of water throughout the day. People with a history of kidney stones should try to pass approximately 2.5 liters of urine a day. Measuring your urine output is an easy way to make sure you’re drinking enough water. If your urine is light and clear, you’re probably drinking the correct amount.
Consider Your Sweat
Loss of water through sweat means less liquid passing through your bladder. If you live in a warm climate or exercise often, you may find that you are sweating out much of the water that flushes your kidneys. Protect yourself by drinking more fluids throughout the day.
Monitor Oxalate-Rich Foods
For those at risk for calcium-oxalate stones, reducing foods high in calcium-oxalate will assist you in preventing this condition. Rhubarb, beets, okra, spinach, Swiss chard, sweet potatoes, nuts, tea, chocolate and soy products all contain a high amount of calcium-oxalate. You don’t need to cut these from your diet completely – you only need to moderate your consumption.
Cut Down on Salt, Sugar and Animal Protein
Salt absorbs water and can facilitate dehydration. For this reason, it is important that anyone interested in preventing kidney stones lower their sodium intake and decrease their animal protein consumption. Too much sugar also increases your stone risk so try picking more sugar-free options.
Experiment with Dietary Remedies
Dietary remedies vary and can prove quite helpful in the prevention and treatment of kidney stones. Chronic kidney stones are treated with potassium citrate, which helps prevent crystals that are already present from binding with each other and getting bigger. Natural sources of the same stone-preventing benefits include limeade, lemonade and other fruits and juices high in natural citrate.
Eat Your Calcium
Diets low in calcium can increase kidney stone formation in some people. Although people believe they should cut out calcium to avoid calcium-oxalate stones, cutting salt is far more important. In addition, pairing calcium rich foods with oxalate rich foods can also prevent stones.
Don’t Ignore Your Doctor
Kidney stones have been reported as one of the most painful experiences a person can have. Unfortunately, the occurrence of one stone greatly increases your chances of developing a second one. After your first experience, taking the right prescriptions and making the right dietary changes is critical to the prevention of this condition. Talk to your doctor openly and honestly about your eating habits so that you can design a diet that works for you.
Find a Urologist in New Jersey
Find the quality care you need to manage or prevent a kidney stone at Somerset Urological Associates. Experience superior patient service by our skilled practitioners and schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified urologists today.