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What are
Your urine contains many dissolved minerals and salts. If they are present in an excessively high amount, they could cause the formation of kidney stones.​
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What are the symptoms of Kidney Stones?
Stones in the kidney often do not cause any symptoms and can go undiagnosed. When a stone leaves the kidney, it travels to the bladder through the ureter. Often the stone can become lodged in the ureter. When the stone blocks the flow of urine out of the kidney, it can cause the kidney to swell (hydronephrosis), often causing a lot of pain.
What are the symptoms of Kidney Stones?
Stones in the kidney often do not cause any symptoms and can go undiagnosed. When a stone leaves the kidney, it travels to the bladder through the ureter. Often the stone can become lodged in the ureter. When the stone blocks the flow of urine out of the kidney, it can cause the kidney to swell (hydronephrosis), often causing a lot of pain.
Common symptoms of Kidney Stones are:
A sharp, cramping pain in the back and side, often moving from the side to the lower abdomen or groin.​
Feeling an intense need to urinate.
Urinating more often or a burning feeling during urination.
Urine that is dark or red due to blood in the urine.
Nausea and vomiting.
Men may feel pain at the tip of their penis.
What Causes Kidney Stones?
Low urine volume
Low urine volume may be caused by dehydration (loss of body fluids), from overexercising, working or living in a hot place, or from not drinking enough fluids. When your urine volume is low, it is concentrated and dark in colour. This concentrated urine has less fluid to dissolve salts. Increasing your fluid intake dilutes the salts in your urine and reduces the risk of stones forming.
Diet
A high-salt diet is a risk factor for kidney stones because it keeps calcium from being reabsorbed by the urine and goes into the blood. Another watch out is a diet high in animal protein. This raises the acid levels in the body and in the urine, making it easier for calcium oxalate and uric acid stones to form.​
Obesity
People who are obese tend to develop calcium oxalate stones and uric acid stones, and there’s good evidence that obesity and higher uric acid levels are associated1​.
Medical conditions
Abnormal growth of one or more of the parathyroid glands, which control calcium metabolism, can raise calcium levels in the blood and urine, which could lead to kidney stones. Another condition called distal renal tubular acidosis, in which there is acid build-up in the body, can raise the risk of calcium phosphate kidney stones.​
Family history
The chance of having kidney stones is much higher if you have a family history of stones.​
References
1. Investigators explore relationship between obesity and kidney stone formation.
https://www.urologytimes.com/view/investigators-explore-relationship-between-obesity-and-kidney-stone-formation.
Accessed 21 June 2021​
Tips to prevent Kidney Stones
Drink at least 3 litres of fluid a day
Spread your fluid intake through the day and cut down on sugary drinks and alcohol.
Eat more fruits and vegetables
The potassium, fibre, magnesium, antioxidants, phytate and citrate from fruits, may keep stones from forming.
Reduce your salt intake
Sodium can cause both urine calcium and cystine to be too high.
Eat less meat
High protein foods contain purine. Too much purine raises uric acid levels and may cause kidney stones.
Consume more citrate​
Citrate helps prevent calcium stones. Consuming a urinary alkalinizer like Ural®, which contains citrate, may prevent urinary stones formation.
Be wary of home remedies
It’s always best to consult a doctor for the right course of action.
Drink at least 3 litres of fluid a day
Spread your fluid intake through the day and cut down on sugary drinks and alcohol.
Eat more fruits and vegetables
The potassium, fibre, magnesium, antioxidants, phytate and citrate from fruits, may keep stones from forming.
Reduce your salt intake
Sodium can cause both urine calcium and cystine to be too high.
Eat less meat
High protein foods contain purine. Too much purine raises uric acid levels and may cause kidney stones.
Consume more citrate​
Citrate helps prevent calcium stones. Consuming a urinary alkalinizer like Ural®, which contains citrate, may prevent urinary stones formation.
Be wary of home remedies
It’s always best to consult a doctor for the right course of action.