Kidney Stone Prevention

Nephrolithiasis is a condition characterized by the presence of calculi in the kidney. It is a common condition affecting a number of people across the globe. Kidney stones are nothing but solid concretions formed in the kidney. They are made from the crystals of minerals that accumulate in the urine. The two bean shaped kidneys are part of the urinary system and are responsible for removing waste matter and excess fluids from the body. The waste matter that is collected in the kidneys is drained into the bladder through the ureter and then passed out of the body. Sometimes, the minerals and chemicals present in the urine crystallize to form renal calculi, commonly known as kidney stones. Passage of these kidney stones through the ureter is an extremely painful process accompanied by a lot of discomfort. Only those who have suffered from this condition can tell you how severe the pain is! How to avoid kidney stones? Kidney stone prevention can be accomplished with certain changes made in the diet and lifestyle. Let us find out...

Natural Kidney Stone Prevention

Here are some simple measures you could take to prevent kidney stones. Take a look...

Increase Fluid Intake
Water is the most important part of the kidney stones prevention program. Drinking adequate amounts of water can keep you away from the excruciating pain and discomfort caused due to kidney stones. A person with a history of kidney stones is recommended to pass 2.5 liters of urine every day, which means he/she should be drinking that much water daily. Increasing the daily intake of water and other fluids is the best way to prevent kidney stones from developing.

Limit Oxalic Acid Intake
Adhering to a specific kidney stones diet can help in preventing the occurrence of kidney stones in most cases. However, the diet for kidney stone prevention has to be planned out based, on the type of kidney stones that are more likely to develop in any individuals case. There are several types of kidney stones depending on the material they are made up of, out of which, calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones are more common. Struvite stones, uric acid stones and crystine stones are some other types of kidney stones. Since 75 to 80% of kidney stones are calcium oxalate, limiting the intake of oxalate rich foods can help in preventing kidney stones.

Low Salt Intake
Consuming a diet rich in sodium can increase your risk of developing kidney stones. Sodium in the diet increases the amount of calcium that is excreted in the urine. This increases the chances of formation of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate in the urine. Consuming foods low in sodium not only help in kidney stone prevention, they also reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Purine Restriction
Purines that are part of the chemical structure of cells are necessary for normal cell function. However, the breakdown of these chemicals can cause uric acid to build up, thus, increasing the risk for uric acid kidney stones. You can plan a diet containing low purine foods to limit the intake of purines.

Caution with Calcium
Calcium is necessary for the normal functioning of the body. However, calcium from supplements can increase the chances of developing kidney stones made up of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphates. Hence, it is essential that you eat calcium rich foods, but be careful with the calcium supplements.

High Fiber Low Protein Diet
High intake of fiber and low protein intake can help you prevent kidney stones. Diet rich in protein can lead to the development of uric acid crystals in urine and hence should be avoided. However, increasing your intake of insoluble fiber aids in prevention of kidney stones.

These were some ways to prevent kidney stones. Apart from these kidney stone prevention foods, certain types of medication and supplements may also be helpful in preventing the occurrence of stones in the kidney. Drinking ample amounts of water and following a specific diet, along with regular physical exercises is the most effective way of preventing kidney stones.