Prevention Against Kidney Stones

In addition to 8 glasses of water daily, orange juice is recommended, which contains citrates, which prevent the formation of stones. Adequate hydration is essential.

Kidney stones are deposits that build up from excess minerals in the urine and accumulate in the kidney. What can you do to  prevent kidney stones ?

Small amounts of these do not cause any discomfort and some are even excreted in the urine.

Some kidney stones stay in the kidneys, others move towards the urinary tract. Small kidney stones are usually eliminated on their own without causing great pain.

However, large kidney stones can lodge in the urinary tract, block the flow of urine, and cause intense bleeding and severe pain. The prevention of kidney stones is very important.

How are kidney stones formed?

The formation of kidney stones is mostly due to large amounts of certain substances in the urine. These are mainly oxalate, calcium and phosphorus. There are also several foods that can lead to kidney stones.

When is there a risk of kidney stones?

If any of the following factors apply to you, your risk of developing kidney stones may be increased:

• You have digestive problems.
• You have recurring or frequent urinary tract infections.
• The urinary tract is often blocked.
• You have an illness that increases the amount of substances in your urine.
• You are chasting family members who have or have suffered from kidney stones on a regular basis.
• And you drink little fluids or take certain drugs that have a negative effect on the kidneys.

Symptoms

You may have kidney stones if you experience the following symptoms:

• Blood in the urine.
• Severe, sharp pain in the lower abdomen (between the chest and hips) or in the back.
• Painful urination.

* If the kidney stone is large, the pain is usually severe, often with nausea and possibly vomiting. If the kidney stone is small, it will pass without any problems and no symptoms will occur. 

When is it an emergency and when do I have to see a doctor?

It is important to see a doctor quickly if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Repeated vomiting
• Blood in the urine
• Fever and chills
• Pain in the lower abdomen or back. The pain repeats itself over and over again and is insistent.

• Altered urine, with a bad odor and dark color
• Severe pain when urinating

Prevention against kidney stones

There are several effective ways to prevent kidney stones. Here you can find a small selection:

• Information about different types of kidney stones. In this way you can – if necessary – effectively fight kidney stones. Consume foods that are low in substances that are harmful to the kidneys.
• Control your weight .  People with a high body mass index and larger hips then often have an increased risk of developing a kidney stone. So take it off as a preventive measure against kidney stones.

• Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. It is very important that you keep yourself hydrated, especially if you do a lot of exercise or if it is hot. Replace a glass of water with orange juice, which contains citrate. This reduces the calcium and oxalate in the urine and consequently fewer kidney stones.
• Reduce the consumption of animal protein, that is, the consumption of meat, fish, and eggs. We recommend consuming 180 grams of these foods a day. These foods often cause uric acid to be formed when the breakdown (e.g. of purines) is carried out. Also, avoid sardines and liver, and other sources of protein (such as nuts and legumes).
• Cut down on salt consumption. Don’t eliminate salt entirely, but do limit consumption.

More tips

• Consume lots of potassium-rich foods to prevent kidney stones, such as vegetables (pumpkin, potatoes, and tomatoes) and fruits (melon, banana, and apricots).

• Be especially careful with supplements. Many contain large amounts of calcium and oxalate.
• Fat. Consume low-fat foods, such as low-fat dairy products.
• Age.  Usually, people over 40 years of age are more at risk of developing kidney stones.
• Affected family members. Ask if your relatives are more likely to have kidney stones or not.
• Specialist help .  Visit a urologist at least once a year.

* NOTE:  It often depends on you and your lifestyle whether or not kidney stones are formed. So you can partially prevent this from happening.

If you experience uncomfortable pain, you should always see a doctor, because if the kidney stones are not treated in a timely manner, it can lead to complications. Don’t forget to change your diet if necessary.