Kidney stones have become more
prevalent than ever, with more than half a million people visiting emergency
rooms each year due to kidney stone problems.
If you've ever suffered from a kidney stone, the pain is something you
will likely not forget. While most kidney stones pass on their own without
causing damage, the pain is something you certainly want to avoid in the
future. Kidney stones can
cause excruciating pain in your sides and back that may spread through your
lower abdomen and groin. The
pain sometimes comes in waves and, generally, the larger the stone, the more
pain and symptoms it will cause.
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The number one
risk factor for kidney stones is not drinking enough water. If you aren't
drinking enough, your urine will have higher concentrations of waste produces,
including substances that can form stones. Specifically, stone-forming
chemicals including calcium, oxalate, urate, cysteine, xanthine, and phosphate
will have less chance to settle and bond in your kidneys and urinary tract if
you're urinating frequently.
Additional risk factors for kidney
stones include: a diet high in sugar, drinking too much soda, lack of exercise,
overeating, drinking fluoridated water, eating non-fermented soy, not eating
enough calcium-rich foods, lacking magnesium, and taking certain medications,
including as Lasix (furosemide), Topomax (topiramate), and Xenical, among
others.
To help prevent kidney stones, here
are a few things to remember:
•Eat the right amount of protein.
One of the worst things you can do for your health is to eat too much protein. In the U.S. especially, many people eat as
much as three to five times more than their bodies really need. One way to
gauge a healthy amount is to figure your lean body mass, and eat one-half gram
of protein per pound, which is usually between 40 and 70 grams a day.
•Watch your fructose intake.
Kidney stone formation is associated with a diet high in processed fructose and other
sugars, such as what you'll find in soda. Sugar interferes with the way calcium
and magnesium are absorbed, and the phosphorus acid in soda acidifies your
urine, potentially leading to kidney stones.
•Drink more water. Drinking
water is essential for digestion, nutrient absorption and timely elimination.
It helps remove toxins (such as those helping kidney stones to form) and helps
your blood circulate as it should.
•Watch what you eat. Seemingly
random foods, including parsley, wheat flour, strawberries, chocolate, soy and
nuts, can trigger a kidney stone attack in some people. It's the oxalate content, composed of miniscule crystals, that may help
form kidney stones.
Another thing to remember is the importance of potassium if you have kidney disease. Because it's
an electrolyte as well as a mineral, it plays important roles in your cells,
tissues and organs, your heart and digestion, plus the function of your bones
and muscles.