Preventing Kidney Stones, Made Easy!

Kidney stones are sharp substances that are formed when your urine contains excess calcium. The solid particles can be the size of a ball or a sugar cube and may pass from the kidneys, and finally through the urethra on their own without causing any pain. But often it may cause severe pain if they are pushed into the ureters. You can face severe nausea, vomiting, or blood in the urine.

Kidney stones develop primarily when you do not feel the urge to urinate often. You must know that after every half an hour, the kidneys filter the blood and removes excess fluids and waste from the body. Both men and women can develop stones in their lifetime – the common age group being 35-60+. The most common type of kidney stones results from too much calcium and oxalate in the urine. These minerals bind together as crystals, forming stones.

Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Stone

Pain is the primary symptom of Kidney Stones; it may come and go suddenly. It is usually radiating pain from flank to down. The other symptoms that may suspect the presence of kidney stones are –

• Fever
• Nausea
• Blood in urine
• Abnormal urine colour
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting

Dietary Guidelines to prevent kidney stone

• Increase urine output

Remember that perspiration decreases urine volume. It’s important to maintain a high urine output despite the loss of fluid through sweating. Pale, clear urine 24 hours per day, seven days a week is the goal. The volume of urine should exceed 2 litres in 24 hours.

• Limit salt and sodium intake

Limit beverages high in caffeine or calories and avoid high sodium sports drinks. Limit salt and sodium intake as salt drives extra calcium into the urine, which increases the risk of calcium stone formation. Water is the best liquid, but fruit juices are also acceptable.

• Magnesium for prevention and cure

Magnesium prevents most kidney stone attacks by inhibiting stone formation. The magnesium blocks the spasm and not only relieves the pain quickly but also helps dislodge the stone.

• Drink lemon water

To prevent kidney stone formation, squeeze the juice of a fresh lemon or add a drop or two of therapeutic grade lemon essential oil into a glass of water and drink daily. If you are suffering from a kidney stone, for pain relief, squeeze one-half of a fresh lemon into an 8-ounce glass of water and drink every half hour until the pain eases.

• Choose wholemeal and wholegrain foods.

Eating foods higher in fibre can decrease the risk of stone formation by reducing the amount of calcium and oxalate you absorb. Choose wholemeal and wholegrain bread, flour, cereals, pasta, biscuits and crackers.

• Include adequate calcium in your diet

It is a common misconception that patients who form calcium stones need to avoid dairy products. Current research supports consuming a normal amount of calcium in the diet for nearly all patients who form stones.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type of stone, how bad it is and the length of time you have had symptoms. There are different treatments to choose from. It is important to talk to your health care provider about what is best for you.

• Wait for the stone to pass by itself

Often you can simply wait for the stone to pass. Smaller stones are more likely than larger stones to pass on their own.

Waiting up to four to six weeks for the stone to pass is safe as long as the pain is bearable, there are no signs of infection, the kidney is not completely blocked and the stone is small enough that it is likely to pass. While waiting for the stone to pass, you should drink normal amounts of water. You may need pain medication when there is discomfort.

• Medication

Certain medications have been shown to improve the chance that a stone will pass. The most common medication prescribed for this reason is tamsulosin. Tamsulosin (Flomax) relaxes the ureter, making it easier for the stone to pass. You may also need pain and anti-nausea medicine as you wait to pass the stone.

• Surgery

Surgery may be needed to remove a stone from the ureter or kidney if:

• The stone fails to pass.
• The pain is too great to wait for the stone to pass.
• The stone is affecting kidney function. Small stones in the kidney may be left alone if they are not causing pain or infection. Some people choose to have their small stones removed. They do this because they are afraid the stone will unexpectedly start to pass and cause pain.

Kidney stones should be removed by surgery if they cause repeated infections in the urine or because they are blocking the flow of urine from the kidney.

Takeaway

Although kidney stones can be a painful and frustrating issue to deal with, there are several different treatment options available.

In fact, there are many medications and procedures that can help manage symptoms and promote the passage of kidney stones.

Additionally, staying well-hydrated and making changes to your diet can prevent kidney stones from forming in the long run.