What causes kidney stones and how do I prevent them?

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Q: What are kidney stones and how do I prevent them?

Kidney stones are common, impacting approximately one in five men and one in 10 women by the age of 70. Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. They can vary in size and may cause intense pain when passing through the urinary tract. Fortunately, treatment is available to manage most kidney stone and there are steps everyone can take to prevent them from recurring.

Q: What's the root of kidney stones?

A: Kidney stones form when high levels of certain substances, such as calcium, uric acid or cystine, are present in the urine. Even with these substances are at normal levels, kidney stones can form if you are not drinking enough water, eating too much salt or protein, or struggling with other medical conditions, such as obesity or diabetes. Kidney stones start when tiny crystals form, become anchored in the kidney and gradually grow in size. Some stones grow and remain in the kidney for years without any causing any symptoms or damage.

Question: What are the common symptoms of kidney stones?

A: Sharp pain in the back or side, blood in the urine, frequent urination, and nausea are common signs you might be dealing with a kidney stone. If the stone is large, it may cause a blockage, leading to severe pain and other complications.

Q: How can kidney stones can protect stones?

A: Making adjustments to your lifestyle and diet are the best way to reduce your chances of developing kidney stones:

- Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps dilute substances in the urine, reducing the chance of kidney stone formation. Aim for at least 8 glasses of water a day.

- Limit salt and sugar: excess salt and sugar will help produce rock.Try to reduce processed foods and salty foods.

- Eat a Balanced Diet: A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help maintain healthy urine composition. Limit animal proteins and opt for plant-based options when possible. If you’ve had kidney stones in the past, your doctor may make specific food recommendations for you, depending on what your stones were made of.

- Avoid extremes: Oxalates occur in certain foods such as spinach, nuts and chocolates.A high-level oxsma is oxy to some people to develop kidney stones.

- See your calcium intake: Although calcium is important, it contributes more to the stones.Make sure you get a lot from food sources, unless the doctor suggests it.

- Take medicines: In some cases, doctors will prescribe medicines to help reduce changes in the development of another kidney stone.

Question: Who is the risk of kidney stones?

A: Those with a family history of kidney stones, people who are overweight, anyone who doesn’t drink enough water, and individuals with specific medical conditions like gout or inflammatory bowel disease are more likely to develop them. Your diet can also put you at a higher risk. Diets low in calcium and high in sugar, sodium and animal protein have been linked to increased occurrences of kidney stones.

Q: When do I see a doctor for kidney stones?

A: If you seriously feel that there is blood in your tumor or that you need to reach a healthy seed and have the knowledge and treatment to treat it.

This column does not indicate the relationship between the provider / patient and only for general information goals.This column is not a substitute for consultation with a doctor or other health care career.

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