Kidney stones can be a risk factor for any part of the urinary tract, from your kidneys to your ureter and urinary bladder. Kidney stone formation is a painful and uncomfortable condition. However, it is a common health problem and affects men more than women. Fortunately, following a special diet plan and making necessary lifestyle changes can prevent kidney stones from forming and recurrence. However, some people require medical measures to get relief from stone problems.
Based on the dietician’s view – Depending on the type of stone, managing a diet to avoid complications may be enough to prevent kidney stones from forming.
What Is A Kidney Stone?
Kidney stones of the urinary tract are also called nephrolithiasis.
A kidney stone is a crystalline mineral that can occur anywhere in the kidney or urinary tract.
When calcium mixes with certain chemicals such as oxalate, uric acid, and cysteine in urine, when they stick together, they form crystals that attach to the kidneys and gradually increase in size to form stones.
However, Kidney stones are formed in many ways due to an imbalance between the chemical components in the urine.
Usually, the stones formed in the kidney pass out of the body through urine, but when they cannot get out of the body through urine, the stones are very painful.
Common Types of Kidney and Ureteral Stones
Generally, there are some common types of kidney and ureteral stones.
- Calcium Oxalate Stones (most common types of kidney stones)
- Calcium Phosphate Stones
- Uric Acid Stones
- Cystine Stones
Symptoms of Kidney Stone
Although having stones in the kidney causes pain, but along with it there are many other symptoms-
- Pain during urination
- Lower back, abdominal pain, and cramps
- blood in urine
- nausea and vomiting
- foul-smelling urine
- frequent urination
- fever and sweating
Are All Kinds Of Kidney Stones The Same?
Not all kidney stones are the same, although their symptoms can be similar. Most Dietitians recommend different types of diet plans for kidney stone prevention.
Calcium Oxalate Stones: – The most common type of kidney stone. Chemicals form this kidney stone-like calcium, oxalate, or phosphorus. People who drink less water or take more oxalate and phosphorus diet is more prone to this problem; 80 percent of people are victims of this kidney stone.
Uric Acid Stone: – Uric acid kidney stone is found more in men than women. This kidney stone occurs when the amount of uric acid in urine is high. The problem of uric acid stone is most likely due to consuming a purine-rich diet. Purine is a colorless substance that is most commonly found in animal proteins. So the person who consumes more non-vegetarian food is more prone to get the uric acid stone.
Struvite Stone: – Struvite stone is found more in women than in men. Women suffering from urinary tract infections are most likely to get this kidney stone. Having this kidney stone means that now the urinary tract infection has progressed a lot, and due to this, the kidney has become infected. Due to this kidney stone, problems related to urination start increasing. To get rid of this struvite kidney stone, the first thing to do is get rid of the possible infection.
Cystine Stone: Cystine stone can occur in both men and women. This kidney stone is a hereditary disease caused by the leakage of cysteine into the urine from the kidneys. This kidney stone is very rare compared to other kidney stones. It is found in beta-keratin. It is a major protein found in nails, skin, and hair. Cysteine is very important for making collagen.
Diet Plan Is Recommended To Prevent Kidney Stones
No single diet plan works for kidney stones, as stones form from a buildup of different minerals. However, many dietitians consider a DASH Diet beneficial for people with kidney stones.
Excessive Water Intake
Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water throughout the day. Due to the high amount of water in the body, the things accumulated in the kidney come out of the body through urine. For a healthy body, up to 2 liters of urine must be produced in a day.
Plenty of Calcium Intakes
Include calcium in your diet to avoid cholesterol. The amount of calcium should be consumed according to your age. Adults 50 years of age or older need up to 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day. reduce sodium intake
Reduce Sodium Intake
An overdose of sodium can increase the amount of calcium in the urine, which is like promoting kidney stones. According to experts, an athletic body requires 1,500 mg of sodium per day.
Avoid Non-Vegetarian Diet
Stay away from a non-vegetarian diet. Such as red meat, eggs, beef, chicken, fish, milk, butter, ghee, etc.
