Kidney stones are painful and serious, but many people don’t know this. People assume it to be gastritis pain or any other normal stomach pain and take medications accordingly. And thus, they face serious consequences later.

Kidney stones are common. According to a report issued by the National Kidney Foundation, nearly one in 10 people experience a kidney stone at some time in their lives. So, it becomes important for you to know everything about kidney stones. You should know what kidney stones are, how they are formed, and what you should do to prevent them.

Kidney stones and what causes them

Kidney stones are tiny, crystallized chunks of minerals that form in the kidneys and urinary tract. They are of different types, varying in terms of size, shape, and color.

If you don’t drink enough fluids, kidney stones are formed. Water keeps the body hydrated and prevents the buildup of minerals and waste in the urinary tract.

Various types of concentrated minerals, such as salt, calcium, uric acid, oxalate, and phosphate, pass through the body through the kidneys and urinary tract. When there is not enough liquid in your body, these minerals don’t dilute and get flushed out. They attach and form stones, called kidney stones.

Symptoms of kidney stones

• Blood in urine or pain/burning sensation during urination
• Cloudy, odor or discolored urine
• Extreme, sharp pain in the back or side of the stomach
• Frequent urination or more than usual
• Pain along with nausea and vomiting
• Pain with fever and chills

A few of the symptoms overlap with other medical issues. So, we recommend visiting a doctor immediately to diagnose the actual problem.

Prevention of kidney stones

To prevent kidney stones, you should make some modifications to your lifestyle.

Start drinking plenty of water- The recommended water consumption for a day is 3 to 4 liters. If you don’t fulfill this requirement, you should start today. You cannot change your habit instantly, so go slowly and try to accomplish the daily water requirement. With less water consumption, the minerals will not get flushed out.

Start eating a healthy diet- After water, your diet plays an important role in the formation of kidney stones. You shouldn’t eat a diet that contains too much protein and calcium. Protein increases uric acid levels in the kidney, triggering kidney stones. And calcium-rich foods add excess calcium and oxalates to the kidneys, increasing the risks of kidney stones. You should add more variety of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables to your diet.

Reduce your sodium intake- As sodium contains calcium, too much consumption will increase the calcium quantity in your body, leading to kidney stones. You should consider taking a low-sodium diet. It’s good for blood pressure and cardiovascular health as well. Make sure your daily sodium intake is less than 2300 mg.

Treatment for kidney stones

Often, kidney stones pass on own by drinking enough fluid. Sometimes, pain medication is prescribed.

When kidney stones grow larger and get stuck in the kidney, ureter, bladder, or urethra, causing painful urinary complications, medication may be prescribed to dissolve the stones or a minor medical procedure to remove them.

Kidney stones shouldn’t be left untreated for long. If the pain is frequent with other complications, you should consult your doctor immediately.