If you have experienced what it’s like having a kidney stone. You know how unpleasant and painful it can be. Unfortunately, according to the National Kidney Foundation, more and more people are developing kidney stones.
Fortunately, there are specific lifestyle changes and treatments that are known to help avoid developing a kidney stone or prevent its re occurrence.
Drink Tons of Water
Considering that you have healthy kidneys and are not dehydrated. Commit to drinking at least eight full glasses of water every single day. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIDDK, states that. Having sufficient fluid in your body could help prevent the development of high mineral concentrations in the kidneys that could cause kidney stones.
One simple tip to ensure that you’re not dehydrated is to check your urine’s color. You want it to be as colorless or transparent as possible and not dark yellow.
Take Great Care of Your Body
Prevention is as easy as adopting healthy habits if you’re lucky enough not to have experienced a kidney stone. These healthy habits include: following a healthy diet, lowering your salt and sugar intake. Exercising regularly, quitting smoking and reducing or completely eliminating your alcohol intake.
If you are overweight, try to lose excess weight and maintain a healthy weight. Since being overweight could put you at high risk for developing various health problems, which include kidney stones.
Practical Tips for Preventing the Development of Kidney Stones
Make Sure You Get Sufficient Calcium
Get your calcium from actual food instead of supplements to help prevent the development of kidney stones. The problem with calcium supplements is that it could increase the risk of developing kidney stones in certain individuals. Experts state that the issue lies in the timing of taking the calcium supplement.
Taking your calcium supplement before eating in the morning or during nighttime. Which is usually the time that people typically take them, may impact the absorption of calcium. With that said, if you’ve experienced having a kidney stone and you want to take calcium supplements, ask your family physician here in South Jordan. If you really need supplementation and how much.
Consider Medications
If the preventive strategies don’t suffice. Ask your doctor if you’d be a good candidate for medication. Medications used for preventing the development of kidney stones include potassium citrate, allopurinol, thiazide diuretics, cysteine-binding thiols. AHA or acetohydroxamic acid.
Check for Underlying Health Conditions
Certain health conditions could increase the risk of developing kidney stones. These conditions include gout, type 2 diabetes, Crohn’s disease, persistent urinary tract infection, and primary hyperparathyroidism. It is crucial to note that while the prevention strategies above can help lower your risk of developing kidney stones. Other factors might come into play.
The most crucial things you can do is always staying hydrated and eating a healthy diet. If you have a health problem that can raise your risk of developing kidney stones, make sure that you manage them.
If you have experienced passing a kidney stone. Have it tested to determine what kind of stone it is and implement more targeted prevention strategies to prevent its recurrence.
