Skipping the Stones: How to Prevent Kidney Stones

Here’s a fact: 1 out of 10 people suffers from kidney stones over the course of their lifetime. You have probably heard of kidney stones before, and no matter how much they seem a trivial condition, these kidney stones should not be underestimated. If you have had kidney stones, you know that the pain can be too much and can be beyond bearable. What’s worse with having kidney stones is not the kind of condition that requires a one-time treatment and you will be free from it forever. Kidney stones reappear within years without preventive measure on the patient’s part. When certain chemicals become concentrated in the urine, they eventually form into crystals and these crystals grow into larger sizes, as big as stones, which can make through the urinary tract. These kidney stones make it difficult and painful for someone to urinate as the stones block the flow of urine. Typically, the fluid in urine helps in preventing the waste products from meeting each other. The kidney stones start to form when there is a lack of fluid or there is too much solid waste container in the urine. Most of these stones happen when calcium combines with either oxalate or phosphorous. Uric acid can also be a culprit behind the formation of kidney stone, which forms as the body absorbs protein. What’s good news is it is easy to prevent kidney stones, although it should be taken seriously. Preventing kidney stones would prevent the situations that form kidney stones. Even if kidney stones are common and can be treated with the help of a urologist in Dubai, it’s still important to take preventive measures so that you won’t need to suffer from the pain. Here are the simple ways to prevent the formation of kidney stones:

Avoid dehydrating yourself.

Dehydration or not drinking enough water is one of the most common causes of kidney stones. If there is more fluid in the urine, the clumping of the minerals and salt that also form kidney stones can be prevented. One sign that indicates you are dehydrated is when your urine is dark. Ideally, urine should be faint yellow. Even if it is often recommended to drink 8 glasses of water per day, in order to further decrease the risk of kidney stones, a person can try drinking at least 12 glasses of fluid daily. Pure water should be half of the body’s intake as it is also made of 70% water. Drinks that are caffeinated, carbonated, and sweetened can all increase the risk of stones.

Get enough calcium.

Lack of calcium in your diet can cause a rise in oxalate levels that can also form kidney stones. Ensure that you are taking the amount of calcium that is appropriate for your age. You can get enough calcium from non-dairy products that are rich in calcium such as seeds, beans and lentils, almonds, and some leafy greens.

Reduce your sodium intake.

Perhaps a lot of people already know that a high-sodium diet can also trigger kidney stones. A total of 2,300 mg daily sodium intake is suggested, but if sodium has been the cause of your kidney stones in the past, then you should try to reduce it to 1,500 mg. A low-sodium diet would also be beneficial for blood pressure and heart.

Limit your consumption of animal protein.

Eating too much animal protein could also increase the uric acid level which could lead to the formation of kidney stones. The citrate level, which is an essential chemical found in urine that helps prevent the formation of kidney stones, can also be reduced when a person maintains a high-protein diet. Overall, there is always a risk to too much of everything. The keys to preventing kidney stones are to always maintain a balanced diet and by also consulting your urologist in Dubai regularly. Book an appointment with us and seek professional medical advice from one of the best medical centers in Dubai