Signs of Kidney Stones in Men

Kidney stones are more common in men than in women. Your little pair of kidneys play a big role in your body. They produce hormones, such as Erythropoietin (EPO), which stimulates the production of red blood cells, renin and angiotensin that regulate the sodium levels and fluids in the body, and the functioning of blood vessels which helps in keeping your blood pressure in check. They purify your blood and are responsible for filtering out the right kind of quantity of urine. High blood pressure is associated with kidney stones. The hormone renin, which is responsible for contracting blood vessels, is secreted in large amounts bringing about an imbalance. What causes kidney stones? Oxalates, phosphates, urates, uric acid and the amino acids cystine and cyteine are the solutes most commonly involved in the formation of crystals in your kidneys and kidney stones. There are various reasons as to why kidney stones are formed- dehydration is one of them.

Symptoms and Causes of Kidney Stones in Men

Initially, when small crystals begin to form in the kidneys, they can't be detected by an X-ray and go unnoticed as they don't give any outward symptoms like pain. But they certainly begin blocking the flow of fluid through the small tubules of the kidney. Some signs of kidney stones in men strongly suggest that the blood in their body has become toxic due to obstructive urinary deposits such as crystals and stones. Symptoms of kidney stones in men can be-

• skin diseases
• strong body odor
• sweaty palms and feet
• water-retention
• lymph congestion
• abdominal distension
• rapid weight gain
• weakness
• high blood pressure

Another important sign of kidney stones is that they have poor blood-circulation and deprived oxygen-supply due to uric acid in the toes of their feet and the fingers of their hands, making them stiff. Kidney stones adversely affect the kidney's ability of being able to regulate water and salt levels in the body, resulting into water-retention and swelling in the feet, legs, abdomen, face arms and other organs. Heel spurs are formed due to deposits of uric acid and phosphates, leading to pain.

Other Signs:

• A dark or whitish color under the eyes
• Deep wrinkles underneath and around the eyes
• Constant fear or anxiety
• Overlapping of the upper eyelid
• Puffy or swollen eyes (particularly when you wake up in the morning)
• Tiny whitish, tan-colored or dark lumps under the eyes, which can be felt or made visible when stretching the skin outward toward the cheekbones
• Chronic pain in the lower back
• Swelling of feet and legs

Some foods to avoid with kidney stones are sweetbreads, canned sardines, canned salmon, liver, beef kidneys, pork, lamb, dairy foods. Tea, coffee, chocolate and cocoa have a lot of oxalates. A regular cup of black tea contains 20 mg of oxalic acid, which is a lot for the kidneys to excrete. Drinking too many soft drinks is another, as these contain a lot of phosphoric acid.

Spinach has a high number of oxalates. Oxalic acid in spinach can be lowered by boiling. Unfermented soy is another food to avoid. The phytic acid present in soy binds minerals, proteins and starches in such a way that your body is incapable of absorbing essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and iodine.

The body forms calcium oxalate whilst trying to neutralize oxalate acid by using calcium. Daily excessive intake of synthetic vitamin C (more than 200 mg) can lead to kidney stones too, as the body uses very little of it and the rest is converted into oxalate.

Magnesium deficiency is also a cause for kidney stones. A probiotic, anaeorobic bacteria, called oxalobacter formigenes, is capable of breaking down calcium oxalate in the intestines before it reaches your kidneys. Olive oil is a good diuretic and can be included in your diet to avoid kidney stones or getting rid of them. I hope this has shed some light on what the signs of kidney stones in men are, and what can be done to alleviate the symptoms of kidney stones.