Kidney stones are a disease that causes various symptoms and complications by forming crystals or depositing substances in the kidneys. Stones are made in the kidneys and move along the ureter. When they are small, it is automatically eliminated from our body through urine in many cases.
The pain caused by kidney stones is so sudden and so severe that it scares many people, but most of them get better on their own without any treatment or with simple treatments, and are rarely life-threatening. However, if the flow of urine is to be blocked, it can cause permanent damage of kidney and therefore requires treatment. The proportion of patients with kidney stones continues to increase, approximately 8.4% in the United States. The lifetime risk of kidney stones is more common in men, 16% in men and 8% in women.
Now let's look at the symptoms of kidney stones and the easiest way to prevent them.
Symptoms of kidney stones
1. Extreme ache
Back or flank pain is the most common symptom of kidney stones and is vary in intensity from mild to strong enough to require pain relievers. It is often sudden with severe pain, and it is realized one of the worst pains of their life. The pain usually shows a pattern that repeats getting weaker and getting stronger.
2. Hematuria
Kidney stones can injure the surrounding tissue, causing blood in the urine. Hematuria may appear as urine with blood that can be seen with the naked eye, or as urine with a small amount of blood that can be observed under a microscope even if the eyes cannot be seen.
3. Other symptoms
Patients of the kidney stones often complain of indigestion or chronic loss of appetite, and when inflammation occurs, symptoms such as fever, chills, cloudy urine, and abdominal distension may be accompanied.
The easiest ways to prevent kidney stones
1. Lots of Water intake
Drinking a lot of water can prevent the formation of stones, and the stones can be excreted in the urine. For this, it is recommended to drink at least 10 glasses of water (about 2 liters) per day. If it is difficult to measure the exact amount, drink plenty of water so that the color of the urine is close to colorless.
2. Eat foods containing citric acid
Citric acid inhibits the formation of stones. It is known that stones form well when the concentration of citric acid in the urine is low. Citric acid is found in sour fruits such as lemons and oranges. Drinking lemonade, lemon juice or orange juice increases citric acid in your body, which helps prevent the formation of stones.
3. Avoid foods that cause kidney stones
- The most common foods that cause kidney stones are those rich in oxalic acid, which binds calcium to form stones. Avoid these foods as much as possible to avoid getting kidney stones. These foods include rhubarb, kale, beans, spinach, sweet potatoes, almonds, and sesame seeds. These foods are generally known to be good for your health, but if you have a family member with kidney stones, or if you have ever had kidney stones, you should consider consuming them.
- Also, salt increases the amount of calcium excreted in the urine, which can lead to stone formation. It is important to eat bland meals that reduce salt intake.
- You should also avoid eating too much meat, which increases calcium and oxalic acid in your urine.
4. Increase Your Calcium Intake
Eating more calcium-rich foods doesn't mean you'll get more calcium stones. Conversely, eating calcium-rich foods helps prevent kidney stones because calcium binds to oxalic acid in the intestines and is excreted in the feces. Therefore, calcium intake should be increased to prevent kidney stones. However, as an exception, too much calcium absorption from the gastrointestinal tract can cause kidney stones, so excessive intake should be avoided.
