Kidney stones are defined as the hard collections of salt and minerals that are often made up of calcium or uric acid. They form in the kidney and can move to the urinary tract. Stones differ in size. Some are small while some kidney stones can become so large that they take up the entire kidney. The formation of these stones happen when too much of certain minerals in your body accumulate in your urine. Any individual can get a kidney stone, but men get kidney stones more often than women do. Removal of kidney stones can be performed in any reputed Urology hospital in Hyderabad.
Different Types of Kidney Stones
Calcium stones are the types of stones that form when the kidneys retain the excess calcium that the muscles and bones do not use. And, Calcium combines with other waste products to form crystals known as calcium oxalate which cluster together to make a stone.
Uric acid stones formation occur due to the lack of sufficient water in the body. Urine contains uric acid and if there is not adequate water content to dilute the uric acid, the urine becomes more acidic.
Struvite kidney stones can form after a UTI and they consist of magnesium and ammonia. And, cystine stones develop when cystine builds up in urine. These are rare form of Urology Issues in Male.
What are the Symptoms of Kidney Stones?
If you have kidney stones that are small in size then you may not have any symptoms. However, if you have bigger kidney stones then you may notice symptoms such as pain while urinating, blood in your urine, pain in your back or lower abdomen, and nausea and vomiting.
Some of the Causes of Kidney Stones
Here Mentioned are Different Causes of Kidney Stones, such as:-
- If you have had kidney stones before and someone in your family has had kidney stones.
- If you don’t drink enough water and follow a diet high in protein, sodium or sugar.
- If you have had undergone gastric bypass surgery or any other intestinal surgery.
- If you have a certain condition that causes your urine to contain high levels of cystine, oxalate, uric acid or calcium.
- If you have a medical condition that causes irritation in your joints.
Foods that Cause Kidney Stones
Chocolate, tea, spinach and most nuts are rich in oxalate. These food items can contribute to kidney stones. If you suffer from kidney stones, your doctor may advise you to avoid these foods or to consume them in lesser amounts.
Consuming a lot of sodium also raises the amount of calcium in your urine. Extra oxalate sticks to calcium in the kidneys and can produce stones. So, it is better to limit the consumption of canned foods, fast foods, and condiments in your diet.
Intake of animal proteins such as eggs, cheese, and fish can also enhance your chances of most types of kidney stones.
Few Essentials of Kidney Stone Diet Chart
The Kidney stone diet chart should compose of plenty of fluid. This includes any type of fluid such as water, lemonade, with the exception of grapefruit juice and soda. Also, three servings of dairy per day will help reduce the risk of calcium stone formation. You must stick to eating a moderate amount of protein. Since, a high amount of protein will cause the kidneys to excrete more calcium which can cause more stones to form in the kidney. Avoid high doses of vitamin C supplements and go for 60mg/day of vitamin C.
How to Prevent Kidney Stones?
One of the best ways to prevent most kidney stones is to drink enough fluids every day. You should drink eight to 12 cups of fluid per day. You should also make sure you drink more when you are exercising to replace fluids lost through sweating. You must note that keeping your urine clear helps to stop waste products from getting too concentrated and forming stones. Further, limiting the intake of sodium and animal protein in your diet may also help to prevent kidney stones.
What are the Treatments for Kidney Stones?
The suitable treatment for a kidney stone depends on the size of the stone, what it is made of, and whether it is causing pain and blocking your urinary tract. Therefore, to figure out the right treatment for you, your doctor might ask you to have a urine test, blood test, x-ray and/or CT scan.
If your kidney stone is small, your doctor may tell you to take pain medicine and drink plenty of fluids. If your kidney stone is large, additional treatment may be necessary. One such treatment option is shock wave Lithotripsy. In this procedure, shock waves are used to break up the kidney stones into small pieces. This treatment for kidney stone removal usually takes 45 minutes to one hour. It may be performed under the general anesthesia.
Another treatment option is Ureteroscopy in which the doctor uses a long tool shaped like a tube to find and remove the stone. In certain cases, surgery might be needed to remove a kidney stone.
To know more about the treatment of kidney stones, you must consult your doctor.
