How to Prevent Kidney Stones?

The role of kidneys is vital to filter waste and maintain the balance in the body. Like all other parts of the body, maintaining kidney health is imperative. Now, sometimes, we face health problems like kidney stones. They are like those unwelcomed guests in our kidneys. You can avert it with a bit of know-how. Understanding what causes kidney stones symptoms and taking proactive steps to reduce its risk factors may help us to prevent painful kidney stone attacks. As the best hospital for kidney stone treatment, we are often asked how to prevent it. Read on as we share some practical tips that are easy to follow, reduce the risk of kidney stones, and maintain optimum kidney health.

Here are some doable and simple lifestyle tweaks to prevent kidney stones.

Stay Hydrated

The number one tip is the most simple, yet the best, is to hydrate yourself. Have the required amount of fluids. Have at least six to eight glasses of herbal teas, juices, or water. The liquid intake should be enough to pass out around two liters of urine. It will help ensure that you urinate often enough to prevent calcium or uric acid buildup. Urine flushes out harmful toxins and keeps kidney stones at bay. Good hydration reduces strain on the kidneys, allowing them to work more effectively.

Eat More Calcium-Rich Foods

Strengthen your kidneys to fight against stones by increasing the amount of calcium-rich foods you eat. Contrary to what most people believe, calcium, rather, helps to prevent kidney stones. The dietary calcium combines with the oxalates present in the intestines. It reduces the amount of oxalate that goes into the bloodstream and is released by the kidney. It ultimately reduces the oxalate concentration in the urine, decreasing the chance that it will bond to the calcium in the urine. It reduces the risk of kidney stones. Some calcium-rich foods are leafy green vegetables, milk, yogurt, cheese, fish, rice and soy drinks, breakfast cereals, and tofu.

Eat Less Sodium

A diet high in sodium may increase the calcium in the urine, which can trigger kidney stones. So, if you are at risk of kidney stones, opt for a low-sodium diet. Try to consume around 1500 to 2300 mg of sodium. Refrain from packaged and processed foods. Check the packaging the next time you purchase packaged food to see how much salt is in it. Choose lower-level or better choices, such as fruits and other nutritious snacks.

Eat Less of the Foods High in Oxalates

Some kidney stones are made from oxalate. Oxalate is a natural component found in foods. This oxalate combines with calcium to form crystals of calcium oxalate in the urine and form kidney stones. Reducing consumption of oxalate-rich foods may help prevent kidney stone formation. Foods that are high in oxalate are peanuts, spinach, sweet potatoes, chocolates, rhubarb, nuts, berries, wheat bran, and coffee. By eating less oxalate foods, you reduce the probability of kidney stone formation. So go easy on the foods rich in oxalates and maintain better kidney health.

Decrease the Amount of Animal Protein you Eat

Wondering how eating too much animal protein leads to kidney stones?

Animal protein-rich foods increase the amount of calcium, uric acid, and oxalates. It leads to a higher saturation of salts that form stones. So, reduce the amount of animal protein and opt for more plant-based proteins like lentils, beans, or tofu. It helps decrease the quantities of harmful substances in the urine. Thus, take it easy on the meat and have more veggies to dodge those painful kidney stones.

Avoid Using Vitamin C Pills

Though most of us know that Vitamin C is essential, too much Vitamin C supplement may increase the risk of kidney stones. Now, this Vitamin C metabolizes into oxalate, which in turn forms kidney stones. When you consume high-dose Vitamin C pills, an excess amount of oxalate gets collected in the kidneys. It increases the chance of oxalate combining with calcium to form calcium oxalate crystals. So, it is best to fulfill your Vitamin C needs from natural sources like broccoli, kiwi, citrus fruits, etc.

Maintain an Active and Healthy Lifestyle

The last but not the least, the apparent thing is to live an active lifestyle to keep your kidneys in good health. Do exercises like brisk walking, swimming, or cycling for no less than half an hour every day. It will manage your blood pressure and blood sugar to relieve the load on the kidneys. Furthermore, exercise lowers obesity, which increases the risk of diabetes and kidney disease. Eating well and being fit will help you lose weight while giving the necessary support for your kidneys.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much water should I drink daily to prevent kidney stones?

In order to avoid kidney stones, try to consume at least 2 to 3 liters of water every day. This will dilute urine and help wash out minerals that may form kidney stones. In hot weather or with heavy exercise, you need to consume even more water to become well-hydrated.

Does drinking lemon water help in preventing kidney stones?

Yes, lemon water may prevent kidney stones. Lemons have citric acid, and citric acid will stick to calcium in urine and lower the chance for stone formation. Drinking lemon-flavored water on a regular basis could reduce the risk of some kidney stones.

Which foods should I avoid to prevent kidney stones?

In order to decrease kidney stone risk, restrict consumption of high-oxalate foods such as spinach and nuts, excess salt, and animal proteins. Reduce consumption of sugary beverages and sodas, which augment stone development. A well-balanced diet maintains kidney health.

What is the best diet to prevent kidney stones?

A renal-friendly diet consists of a lot of water, fruits, vegetables, whole grain, and low-fat milk. Reduce animal proteins, salt, and high-oxalate foods. Adding citrus foods such as lemons may also lower stone risk.

What are the causes of kidney stones in humans?

Kidney stones develop when urine is concentrated so that minerals can crystallize. Causes include dehydration, high-sodium or high-protein diets, obesity, medical conditions, and heredity. A person can prevent them by drinking enough water and eating a balanced diet.

Conclusion

Summing it up, we emphasize that adopting small, basic, yet consistent changes in your routine life, will help you to prevent kidney stones. The occurrence of kidney stones is quite common. We may not entirely be able to prevent them, but you can definitely reduce the risk with these tips. If you have any health issues that may escalate the risk of kidney stones – consult Devasya Hospital. They are the best hospital for kidney care and kidney stone treatment in Ahmedabad.

Devasya Hospital offers the best and most comprehensive kidney care. While you may follow healthy habits, some kidney stones may occur due to other reasons as well. With their preventive advice based on your specific condition, you can get back to healthy kidneys - free of stones. However, if you have recurrent stones or need treatment, consider Devasya Hospital – the best hospital for kidney stone removal.