One out of every ten people develop a kidney stone over their lifetime. According to recent studies, the number of cases of kidney stones is on the rise. Some experts feel that some major assumptions are to responsible.
Dr. Allan Jhagroo, a kidney stone specialist from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, has teamed up with the National Kidney Foundation to clarify some of the most common kidney stone myths and misconceptions.
Sweating and Kidney Stones
Saunas, hot yoga, and vigorous exercise may be beneficial to your health, but they can also cause kidney stones. Why? Sweating causes reduced urine production, whether as a result of these activities or simply the heat of summer. Sweating causes you to urinate less, allowing stone-forming minerals to settle and link in your kidneys and urinary system.
Drinking enough of water, which causes you to urinate frequently, is one of the greatest ways of preventing kidney stones. So, stay hydrated, especially if you’re doing exercise or doing activities that create a lot of sweating. Bottom of Form
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Oxalate
Many foods, including fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, grains, legumes, and even chocolate and tea, contain oxalate. Peanuts, rhubarb, spinach, beets, chocolate, and sweet potatoes are just a few examples of foods high in oxalate. People who develop calcium oxalate stones, the most common type of kidney stone, may benefit by limiting their consumption of these items.
A frequent misunderstanding is that simply reducing your intake of oxalate-rich foods can lessen your risk of developing calcium oxalate kidney stones. While this may be true in theory, this strategy isn’t ideal from a health standpoint. When oxalate binds to calcium in urine generated by the kidneys, most kidney stones develop.
During a meal, it’s crucial to consume and drink calcium and oxalate-rich meals simultaneously. As a result, oxalate and calcium are more likely to bond to one another in the stomach and intestines before reaching the kidneys, reducing the likelihood of kidney stones forming.
Kidney Stone Can Come Back
A kidney stone is typically considered as one of the most painful situations a person can have, yet it isn’t usually a one-time occurrence. According to studies, even having one stone doubles your odds of getting another. “Most individuals will want to do everything they can to prevent it from happening again,” Dr. Jhagroo stated. “Unfortunately, it appears that people do not make the necessary improvements following their first stone incident.”
Dr. Jhagroo’s research demonstrates that people with kidney stones don’t usually follow their nephrologists’ and urinary specialists’ instructions. About 15% of kidney stone patients did not take their medications as advised, and 41% did not follow nutritional advice to prevent stones from recurring. Stones can return if the correct medications and dietary changes are not taken, and recurring kidney stones can be a sign of other issues, such as kidney disease.
Alkali Citrate
Dietary supplements should be considered in addition to prescription drugs.
If urine citrate is low and urine pH levels are too low, chronic kidney stones are often treated with an alkali (less acidic) citrate, such as potassium citrate, to help avoid specific stones. Citrate (citric acid) is present in citrus juices, but considerable doses may be required. Sugar should also be avoided.
Lemon juice concentrate mixed with water (4 oz per day) is an option. Alkali citrate is a prescription-only medication that is also accessible over-the-counter. To help prevent stone formation, alkali citrate can be combined with a mineral (such as sodium, potassium, or magnesium).
The goal is to raise urine citrate (to prevent calcium stones) while also raising urine pH. The goal is to maintain a pH balance. Consult a doctor or other healthcare expert to determine which treatment options, including over-the-counter medicines and home remedies, are best for you. Depending on the stage of kidney disease and other circumstances, people with kidney disease may need to limit their salt, potassium, and other mineral intake.
Cautions
Uric acid stones, in addition to calcium oxalate stones, are a prevalent kind of kidney stone. Purines are a natural chemical component found in high concentrations in red meat, organ meats, and shellfish. “High purine intake leads to increased uric acid production and a bigger acid load for the kidneys to excrete,” Dr. Jhagroo explained. Higher uric acid excretion results in a lower overall urine pH, indicating that the urine is acidic. Urine with a high acid content makes it simpler for uric acid stones to develop.
Reduce your intake of high-purine foods like red meat, organ meats, and seafood, and stick to a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products to avoid uric acid stones. Limit your intake of sugar-sweetened foods and beverages, particularly those containing high fructose corn syrup.
Prevent crash diets and limit alcohol consumption because they can raise uric acid levels in the blood. Urine acidity can be reduced by eating less animal-based protein and more fruits and vegetables, which reduces the risk of stone formation.
