Kidney stones – one of the most common diseases in the world, affecting every 1 in 10 people. Studies show that people with one developed stone in their kidney have a high chance of going through it again, especially if they have a genetic history of kidney stones. Common symptoms of kidney stones include pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, or blood in the urine.
Kidney stones can be passed without medical assistance by people who often deal with them. They are likely to get another stone. This is why they need to take extra care of their diet and adopt a healthy lifestyle in order to avoid further stone formation. By ensuring the intake of appropriate amount and right kind of calcium supplements, kidney stones can be prevented or chances of occurrences could be minimized as calcium deficiency is one of the leading reasons for kidney stones. Here are some of the other lifestyles and dietary choices you must make if you have experienced kidney stones or have a history of ancestors who dealt with it.
Methods to Avoid Stone Formation in the Kidneys
are dietary changes you can make to avoid kidney stones. These changes can be made after or during your journey with kidney stones.
Avoid Fizzy Drinks
Fizzy drinks are bad for your health anyways. It has a lot of sugar which can be one of the possible triggers of kidney stones. Soda may contain high level of oxalates and phosphoric acids, creating an acidic environment in your kidney tract, enabling stone formation easily.
Avoid Foods with High Sodium
Sodium raises the amount of calcium in your urine. High salt food can also result in high blood pressure, increasing the risk of kidney stone formation. This does not mean you should avoid calcium, as sodium is the real culprit. You can still take calcium supplements during kidney stones. According to a study, the preferred calcium supplements are the ones that contain calcium citrate as it also helps in urine excretion. Hence through the intake of calcium supplements, kidney stones can be passed.
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration can contribute to the formation of kidney stones and UTIs. Both diseases can lead to kidney damage if not treated on time. Kidney stones cannot be formed easily if you have adequate levels of water to prevent stone formation.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Obesity increases the risk of kidney stones. If you have gone through kidney stones in your life or are going through it, it is important to maintain a healthy weight to prevent further kidney damage. Hyperinsulinemia contributes to the development of stones by increasing calcium excretion in urine. Doctors recommend losing excess weight to prevent kidney stones and other harmful diseases.
Never Skip Calcium Supplements
When it comes to kidney stones, the most common misconception is to stop taking calcium supplements as they are the main culprit behind the stone formation. The stones are mainly composed of calcium, which is why this myth has taken place. But this is not the case. According to a study, calcium deficiency is one of the leading causes of kidney stones. When the body does not have enough calcium, it absorbs the calcium stored in the bones, causing the bones to dissolve to maintain an adequate amount of calcium in the blood. The calcium from bones can lead to excess excretion and result in crystal formation in the kidneys. These crystals stick together to form a stone. By maintaining sufficient calcium levels through diet or calcium supplements, kidney stones can be prevented or chances of occurrences could be minimized.
Conclusion
Choosing the right calcium supplement can be challenging as not every supplement is 100% soluble and highly absorbable, like Totally CALCIUM®. They are safe to take by people with kidney stones after consulting with doctor and can fulfill the levels of calcium required in the body.