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Kidney stones condition is not a rare disease and involves thousands of people every year. When the components of urine become concentrated, kidney stones are formed. These stones can make certain symptoms become apparent such as severe pain, nausea, and vomiting, and in severe cases, can even cause kidney damage.
Certain preventive measures can help you to lower the risk of developing kidney stones and reduce the severity of symptoms if stones do form. The general measures of prevention include simple lifestyle changes, such as increasing fluid intake, reducing salt and animal protein in the diet, and avoiding sugar drinks. Also, managing underlying conditions, such as diabetes, can also help prevent kidney stones.
Table of Contents
Have Plenty of Water to Prevent Kidney Stones
Hydration has an important role in preventing kidney stones and helping to save one from excruciating kidney stone treatment by maintaining proper fluid balance in the body. The following are the internal mechanisms of prevention of kidney stones through hydration:
Increases Fluid Volume:
Proper hydration increases the volume of urine, which helps in the dilution of the substances that can lead to stones in the kidneys.
Lowers Concentration of Substances:
In a dehydrated body, the concentration of urine components such as calcium, oxalate, and uric acid increases the urine. Drinking sufficient fluids helps to prevent these substances from being accumulated
Increases in Urination:
Hydration increases the urine output, which helps to flush out many substances that can form stones in the kidneys
On the other hand, dehydration can lead to the formation of kidney stones in the following ways:
Lower Salt Intake to Reduce Kidney Stone Risk
A good Kidney stones specialist strongly advises that reducing salt intake can help in preventing kidney stones by regulating the balance of fluids in the body and limiting the concentration of substances that can form stones. The following are the internal mechanisms of prevention of kidney stones through salt reduction:
Regulates Fluid Balance
High salt intake can increase the amount of calcium in urine, which can lead to the formation of stones. By reducing salt intake, you can help regulate fluid balance and prevent the concentration of calcium in the urine.
Lowers Calcium Excretion
Salt raises the amount of calcium in the bloodstream, which can increase the excretion of calcium in the urine. This increased excretion of calcium can increase the risk of kidney stones. Reducing salt intake can help to lower calcium excretion and reduce the risk of kidney stones.
Raises Blood Pressure
Salt can also raise blood pressure, which can damage the blood vessels that supply the kidneys and increase the risk of kidney stones.
Therefore, it is important to limit salt intake to prevent kidney stones from forming. Aim to consume less than 2,300 mg of salt per day and read labels to monitor the salt content in your food.
Cut Back on Animal Protein to Maintain Kidney Health
Limiting animal protein can help in preventing kidney stones by regulating the levels of substances that can form stones in the kidneys. The following are the internal mechanisms of prevention of kidney stones through limiting animal protein:
Reduces Uric Acid
Animal protein is high in purines, which can increase the production of uric acid. Uric acid can form stones in the kidneys, so limiting animal protein can help reduce the risk of kidney stones.
Lowers Calcium Excretion
Animal protein can also increase the amount of calcium excreted in the urine, which can increase the risk of kidney stones. By limiting animal protein, you can lower calcium excretion and reduce the risk of kidney stones.
Therefore, it is important to limit animal protein to prevent one from needing various kidney stone treatments from forming. Aim to consume lean protein sources, such as poultry and fish, and limit your intake of red meat and processed meat.
Boost Fiber Intake to Promote Kidney Stone Prevention
By regulating the components that are involved in stone formation, the fiber content in the diet is necessary to prevent stones in the kidneys. The following are the internal mechanisms of prevention of kidney stones through fiber:
Oxalate binding
Certain fiber types, such as soluble fiber, bind with oxalate in the intestines and stops it from being absorbed into the bloodstream. Oxalate is a contributor to stone formation in the kidneys. That is why increasing fiber in your diet can prevent you from needing kidney stone treatment.
Increase in Healthy Bowel Movements
As Constipation leads to the concentration of substances that form stones in the kidneys, fiber helps in preventing it by releasing constipation
Reduces Calcium Absorption
Certain fibers such as phytates reduce the amount of calcium absorption in the intestines. Due to the property of calcium to form crystals of stones, increasing fiber reduces calcium absorption leading to the prevention of kidney stones
Therefore, it is important to increase fiber in your diet to prevent kidney stones from forming. Aim to consume at least 25-30 grams of fiber per day.
Avoid Sugary Drinks for Better Kidney Health
Lowers Uric Acid: Some sugar drinks, such as those containing high fructose corn syrup, can increase the production of uric acid in the body. Uric acid can form stones in the kidneys, so limiting sugar drinks can help reduce the risk of kidney stones.
Regulates Fluid Balance
Sugary drinks can also disrupt fluid balance in the body and increase the concentration of substances that can form stones in the kidneys. By avoiding sugary drinks, you can help regulate fluid balance and reduce the risk of kidney stones.
Limits Calcium Excretion
High sugar intake can increase insulin resistance, which can lead to increased excretion of calcium in urine. Calcium can form stones in the kidneys, so limiting sugar intake can reduce the risk of kidney stones.
Therefore, it is important to limit or avoid sugary drinks to prevent kidney stones from forming. Aim to drink mostly water and unsweetened beverages, and limit your intake of sugary drinks.
Manage Diabetes to Prevent Kidney Stones
Diabetes affects the regulation of contents. As the maintenance of these contents is necessary to prevent kidney stones, it is important to keep your diabetes in check. The following are ways in which diabetes promotes kidney stones:
Problems in fluid balance
By significantly affecting the body’s fluid balance, diabetes may increase the constituents of kidney stones.
Calcium Excretion
Insulin resistance due to increased sugar levels results in the excretion of calcium in great amounts. As calcium is one of the major components of stones, diabetes is a major risk factor for kidney stone disease.
Reduced Kidney Function
By altering the efficiency of the functioning of the kidney, diabetes pushes the kidney to the level of not being able to filter waste. This leads to an increase in the risk of kidney stone formation
The following are ways to control diabetes and prevent kidney stones:
Shifting to a healthy diet
As the doctor suggests low sugar and high-fiber diets are good for keeping your sugar levels in check.
Exercise
Insulin activity s hugely affected by exercises
Medications
If you are prescribed medication for your diabetes by a doctor, take them regularly to control the risk of kidney stone development
Therefore, it is necessary to regulate your condition of diabetes to not put yourself in the situation of needing kidney stone treatment. Sifting towards a healthy lifestyle, taking medications as needed, and keeping your kidney function in check can help people with diabetes to maintain a good kidney health
Conclusion
In conclusion, a good kidney stone specialist is necessary for the prevention and treatment of kidney stones. A good nephrologist can help patients to know the causes of kidney stones and map a suitable treatment plan to lower the chances of new kidney stones.
Overall, having a good kidney stone specialist can play a critical role in the prevention and treatment of kidney stones. With their expertise and knowledge, patients can receive the care and support they need to manage their condition and maintain good kidney health. If you are experiencing symptoms of kidney stones or have a history of the condition, contact us to get an appointment with the specialist you just need.
