Kidney stones have become too common due to hard deposits forming in the urinary tract. Symptoms include severe back pain, blood in urine, nausea, vomiting, fever, and cloudy or smelly urine. Diet significantly influences stone formation, with a high intake of sodium, animal protein, calcium, or oxalate contributing. Making dietary changes, like reducing these elements, can prevent kidney stones.
Read on to learn about diets to prevent kidney stones and everything entailing them.
Common Types of Kidney Stones
Common types of kidney stones include:
- Cystine Stones: Formed due to an inherited genetic disease called cystinuria, causing an accumulation of the amino acid cystine in the urine. This leads to stone production in the kidneys, bladder, and ureters.
- Calcium Oxalate Stones: The most prevalent type, resulting from the interaction of calcium with oxalate in the urine. Factors like low citrate, high levels of calcium, oxalate, or uric acid, and insufficient calcium and fluid intake can contribute to their formation.
- Uric Acid Stones: More common in men and associated with low water intake and a diet high in animal protein. A diet rich in purines can increase the synthesis of monosodium urate, potentially leading to the formation of uric acid kidney stones.
- Calcium Phosphate Stones: Less common and often co-occur with calcium oxalate stones. Irregularities in the urinary system contribute to the formation of these stones.
- Struvite Stones: Among the rarest, more prevalent in women, and caused by specific urinary tract infections. These stones develop rapidly, filling the entire kidney, and if untreated, can lead to recurring severe urinary tract infections and renal failure.
Dietary Recommendations to Prevent Kidney Stones
Preventing kidney stones is crucial for maintaining kidney health and overall well-being.
- Drink Plenty of Water: Adequate hydration is paramount. Water helps to keep urine diluted, preventing the concentration of minerals that form kidney stones. Aim to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day, or more if you live in a hot climate or engage in vigorous physical activity. Making water your primary beverage choice is key to kidney stone prevention.
- Add Citrus Fruit Juice: Citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and grapefruits contain citrate, which inhibits the formation of kidney stones by binding to calcium and preventing it from crystallising. Squeezing fresh lemon or lime juice into your water or consuming citrus fruits regularly can boost your citrate levels, enhancing kidney stone prevention efforts.
- Eat More Fruits and Vegetables: A diet rich in fruits and vegetables offers numerous health benefits, including reducing the risk of kidney stones. These foods are high in potassium, magnesium, and citrate, which help to alkalize urine and inhibit stone formation. Incorporate a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables into your meals to promote kidney health and overall well-being.
- Eat Foods Rich in Calcium: Contrary to popular belief, consuming adequate amounts of calcium can actually lower the risk of kidney stones by binding with oxalate in the intestines, preventing its absorption into the bloodstream and subsequent excretion in the urine. Include sources of calcium such as milk, yogurt, cheese, and calcium-fortified foods in your diet to maintain optimal calcium levels and reduce the risk of stone formation.
- Cruciferous Vegetables: Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and kale are rich in potassium, which can help reduce calcium loss in the urine and prevent the formation of kidney stones. Including these nutrient-packed vegetables in your diet provides a natural way to support kidney health and decrease the risk of stone formation.
By incorporating these dietary recommendations into your daily routine, you can take proactive steps to prevent kidney stones and promote optimal kidney function and overall health. Remember to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian for personalised dietary advice tailored to your individual needs and health status.
Lifestyle Recommendations to Prevent Kidney Stones
To prevent kidney stones, consider the following lifestyle changes:
- Avoid Salty Foods: High sodium levels are linked to an increased risk of kidney stones. Processed, prefabricated, and quick foods often contain high salt levels. Check labels before consuming prepared goods.
- Cut Back on Caffeine and Alcohol: Caffeine and alcohol can increase urine production, potentially leading to dehydration. Low water levels in the body elevate the risk of kidney stones, so reducing coffee and alcohol intake is advisable.
- Limit Meat Consumption: Excessive animal protein, including red meat, chicken, pork, fish, and eggs, may raise the risk of kidney stones. Restrict meat intake to eight ounces per day, with a serving size no larger than a deck of playing cards.
- Maintain a Healthy Body Weight: Avoid becoming overweight or obese, as excess weight can negatively impact the kidneys and contribute to kidney stone formation. Maintain a healthy body weight through regular exercise and a balanced diet.
Kidney Stone-Friendly Recipes
- Turmeric milk
- Pear and pomegranate smoothie
- Miso soup with mushrooms
- Quinoa grits n’ eggs
- Oven omelettes
- Peach and yogurt parfait
- Warm apple pie oatmeal
Treatment Options
Usually, the doctor will try to let the stone pass without surgery. However, if your stones are too big or cause some infection, then surgery may be necessary. Here are some treatment options for kidney stones:
For small kidney stone
- Drinking water- Drinking plenty of water is one of the best ways to treat kidney stones. Drinking as much as 1.8 to 3.6 litres daily will dilute your urine and may prevent stones from forming.
- Medical therapy- Your doctor may prescribe medication to assist you in passing your kidney stone. This drug relaxes the muscles in your ureter, allowing you to pass the kidney stone faster and with less discomfort.
For large kidney stone
- Shock-wave lithotripsy- This non-invasive procedure in which high-energy sound waves blast the stones into fragments more easily passed out in the urine.
- Percutaneous nephrolithotomy- This is an invasive procedure in which the kidney stone is surgically removed using small telescopes and devices put through a small incision in your back.
- Ureteroscopy- In this procedure, an endoscope is inserted through your ureter to retrieve or obliterate the stone.
How Nephrocare is Best for Kidney Stone Treatment
If you are looking for a kidney stone treatment, then Nephrocare is the right place for you. The doctors here provide treatment for all types of urological disorders. With the cut-throat technology, you will get the best treatment and aftercare that will help you get back to your old lifestyle.
Experience relief from kidney stones with the best care at Nephrocare!
At Nephrocare, our specialists are committed to your well-being, offering top-notch treatment using the latest technology and techniques. Don’t let kidney stones hold you back – contact us now to explore your personalised treatment options and embrace a stone-free future!