Did You Know These Foods Can Cause Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones or renal calculi are stone-like structures made of minerals that accumulate in excess in the kidneys over a period of time. Once kidney stones form, they tend to cause disturbing and painful symptoms. Sudden intense pain in the abdomen radiating to the back and the groin region, nausea, vomiting and discomforts in passing urine are among the common symptoms that most people suffering from kidney stones experience.

One can imagine the everyday struggles such symptoms  of kidney stones can create for a person. Thus, it is better to follow a lifestyle and diet that can keep you away from the problem of kidney stones. You may or may not be aware that chances of kidney stone formation are directly linked to the foods you eat.

It is usually the excess consumption of some type of foods that have negative impacts on the kidneys over time.

So, Here Is What You Need to Know About All About the Foods That Can Cause Kidney Stones:

Foods containing excessive sodium- If you are looking for dietary changes to prevent the formation of kidney stones, you should stay away from foods containing excessive amounts of salt. Excessive salt intake is one of the major causes of kidney stone formation. This is because sodium leads to water retention in the body. As a result, the urine becomes concentrated with calcium and this calcium can bind with other minerals to form stones in the kidney.

Oxalate rich foods- Calcium oxalate stones are the most common type of kidney stones. These form when there is too little liquid and excess of oxalate in the urine. Due to this, the calcium oxalate forms crystals which then stick together over time to kidney stones. Therefore, the best preventive measure is to cut back a little on your oxalate intake. Avoid eating too much nuts, peanuts, spinach and legumes. Eat everything in moderation and if you eat any oxalate-rich food, make sure that you take proportionate amounts of calcium as well.

Animal proteins- If you are a fan of meat and animal protein sources, you should consider limiting the intake of these foods. Eating meat, chicken and other animal-based protein sources regularly can significantly increase the levels of uric acid in your body. This can make the formation of uric acid stones easier. Moreover, animal proteins are known to reduce the amounts of citrate present in the urine. Since citrate plays a crucial role in preventing kidney stones, animal proteins can affect this as well. Thus, try to fulfill your daily protein requirements through plant based proteins for a healthy kidney functioning.

Caffeine and cola- Colas and caffeinated drinks are one of the worst things to have if you are looking to reduce the chances of kidney stones. Excess of caffeine can cause dehydration, which is the most prominent cause of kidney stones. In addition to this, caffeine can also make you excrete more urine and thus increase the risk of kidney stone formation.

Sweets and desserts- Too much sugar intake can also act as a contributing factor in the development of kidney stones. It can raise your blood sugar levels, cause hypertension and obesity. Since all of these are risk factors for kidney stones, having a sweet tooth can make you more prone to the condition.

Have These Foods to Deal Better With Kidney Stones:

Whole Grains- Whole Grains are rich sources of fibers that help in sweeping away the toxins from the kidneys. Buckwheat, millet, barley, etc should become an integral part of a regular diet to prevent new kidney stones from forming.

Lemon-soda- Lemon juice and other natural citrates can produce amazing results in the case of kidney stones. The natural citrate in these prevents the stone crystals from sticking together and thus do not allow the stones to grow larger. In fact, having half a cup of lemon juice every day diluted with water can reduce the chances of kidney stones significantly.

Banana stem- Banana stem juice is a rather unknown but very effective home remedy for kidney stones. The extract from the banana stem is packed with magnesium and potassium. These minerals make sure that the levels of calcium in the urine are optimal and thus prevents calcium from combining with other compounds to form stone crystals.

Pomegranate juice- Pomegranate juice is an amazing way to deal with the symptoms of kidney stones as well as prevent the formation of new stones. Pomegranate juice contains a wide variety of antioxidants that help maintain the optimal functioning of the kidneys. Moreover, pomegranate juice can balance your urine acidity levels and thus reduce the risk of kidney stone formation.

Making the healthier dietary changes is necessary. But, what is equally important is to seek medical help and never indulge in self-medication. Doing so ensures that any kind of undesired complications of kidney stones can be avoided.

Do Not Forget to Consult a Specialist for Kidney Stones

Dietary and lifestyle changes are certainly effective but the best approach is to couple them with proper medical attention. So, if you notice any of the symptoms of kidney stones, the first thing you should do is seek a specialist’s advice. Get all the diagnostic tests done and discuss all the home remedies you are following with the doctor.

Also, if medications and home remedies fail to provide permanent relief, it is better to consider the surgical option. Kidney stone surgery is nothing to worry much about as a number of advanced and minimally invasive procedures are now available.

You can undergo any of the advanced surgeries (laparoscopic surgery, SWL and laser lithotripsy) for a permanent and fast relief from kidney stones. If you are currently struggling with kidney stone symptoms and are looking for a reliable healthcare provider, you can contact Pristyn Care. They have a great success rate in kidney stone treatments and house the top urologists in all the major Indian cities.

Final Words

Keeping an active lifestyle and eating right foods can minimize the chances of kidney stones. But there is no guaranteed way to assure nil occurrence. So, whenever the earlier mentioned symptoms of kidney stones start appearing, visiting a urologist for proper diagnostics and treatment is the right course of action. Also, the modern treatments can cure even the severe cases of kidney stones. So, the sooner you reach out for medical help, the sooner you can your plight.