Kidney stones are considered to be a common health problem. These stones are made in the kidneys and pass out from the body through the urinary tract. To pass out a stone or stones can be painful. However, by adopting several things you can dissolve kidney stones.
Usually, the stone sticks in the urinary tract, and people are unable to urinate and then urine goes back to the kidneys which lead to pain and swelling. In addition, according to the best nephrologist in Karachi, other symptoms associated with kidney stones are bloody urine, nausea, vomiting, etc.
A study indicates that almost twelve percent of men and five percent of females in the United States experience kidney stones once during their whole life. In addition, some studies also show some shocking results that fifty percent of people who experience kidney stones are more likely to develop a stone within five to ten years. Therefore, it is important to take some measures to maintain your kidney health to dissolve and reduce the risks of kidney stones.
Tips to Prevent Kidney Stones
These tips can be helpful in dissolving and preventing kidney stones without facing any difficulties:
1. Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated or consuming a lot of water every day is the best way to prevent kidney stones, a general recommendation from medical specialists. When you increase the consumption of water or fluids it helps in increasing the volume of stone-forming substances which reduces the chances of them being crystallized.
However, nephrologists believe that not all the fluids leave the same impact on the kidneys, water, coffee, and tea are associated with the lower risks of stone forming. In contrast, consuming harmful beverages such as sugary sodas can contribute to kidney stones. Additionally, artificially-sweetened sodas can also be disastrous. These drinks contain a high amount of phosphoric acid and that’s why they increase the risks.
2. Consume Lemon Juice
If you want to slow the growth of kidney stones by breaking down calcium deposits then consumption of lemon juice is a must because lemon juice is packed with nitrate.
A study, that was cross-sectional and conducted in 2019, indicated that people who consumed lemon juice without adding sugar or any other artificial sweetener experienced lower risks of kidney stones. In addition, due to a high amount of citrate in lemon juice, helps to reduce the amount of calcium in the urine which leads to lower the chances of kidney stones.
It is important to consume lemon juice that you extracted yourself because the juice you buy from the Bazar contains a number of sweeteners, which will negatively impact your health instead of helping. However, if you buy any extract or juice of lemon from the Bazar make sure that you buy a lemon juice that doesn’t contain any artificial sugar.
However, if you don’t like lemon juice then orange or watermelon juice can be a better option for you because they also contain high levels of citric acid.
3. Consume Calcium Daily
People with oxalate kidney stones can improve their condition by consuming calcium every day in the amount that is required. However, people can also prevent oxalate stones if they eat foods and consume drinks that are packed with calcium.
You need to consume calcium in an appropriate amount because high consumption of calcium from supplements can also increase the risks. How much your body requires calcium varies from person to person. In this regard, you can contact a nephrologist or general physician for further details.
It is considered best to consume calcium from natural sources, and these sources can be:
- Bok choy
- Kale
- Dairy products
- Grains and fish
4. Avoid Sugary Drinks
Are you an alcoholic or a huge of caffeinated drinks then there is bad news waiting for you? Carbonated or caffeinated drinks not only increase the risks of kidney stones but also affect your overall health.
The results from a study, that was conducted in 2020, indicated that caffeine intake increased the risk of kidney stones. Additionally, sugary sodas and other beverages that contain a huge amount of artificial sweeteners are also associated with increased risks.
In addition, foods that are packed with salt and sugar can intensify the symptoms and also can increase the risks.
5. Don’t Take High Doses of Vitamin C
Studies indicated that supplements of vitamin C can also increase the risks of the symptoms associated with kidney stones. Researchers believe high consumption of vitamin C from different supplements can increase the excretion of oxalate in the urine. There are also some dangers that the body can convert vitamin C into oxalate.
However, consumption of vitamin C from natural sources such as dairy products or lemon is not linked with high risks of kidney stones.
Conclusion
A nephrologist can also recommend a potassium blood test for taking better care of your kidneys. You can prevent kidney stones by taking the above-mentioned measures and marinating a healthy amount of potassium in the blood.
