A kidney stone is a hard object made up of urine components. Calcium oxalate, uric acid, struvite, and cystine are the four forms of kidney stones. Shockwave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, and nephrolithotripsy are all options for treating kidney stones.

Various wastes are dissolved in urine. Crystals arise when there is too much waste in too little liquid. The crystals attract additional elements and combine to form a solid that will grow in size until it is excreted in the urine. The kidney, the body’s master chemist, usually eliminates these compounds in the urine. Having enough liquid flushes them out in most individuals, or other compounds in urine prevent a stone from developing. Calcium, oxalate, urate, cystine, xanthine, and phosphate are stone-forming compounds.

Once formed, the stone may stay in the kidney or travel down the urinary tract into the ureter. Small stones can move through the body and escape through the urine without causing pain. If the stones do not move, a backlog of urine might form in the kidney, ureter, bladder, or urethra.

What Causes Kidney Stones?

Drinking too little water, exercising too much or too little, obesity, weight reduction surgery, or eating foods high in salt or sugar are all possible reasons. Infections and family history may have a role in certain people’s health. A high fructose diet is linked to a higher risk of kidney stone formation. Table sugar and high fructose corn syrup both include fructose.

How to Prevent Kidney stones? 

1. Drink plenty of water- Adding more water to your diet dilutes the chemicals in your urine that cause stones. Drink enough water to pass 2 litres of pee every day, which is equivalent to around eight regular 8-ounce glasses. Some citrus drinks, such as lemonade and orange juice, may be beneficial. These drinks include citrate, which aids in the prevention of stone formation.

2. Reduce sodium- Because it raises the quantity of calcium in your urine, a high-sodium diet can induce kidney stones. For those who are prone to stone formation, a low-sodium diet is suggested. According to current recommendations, total daily salt consumption should not exceed 2,300 mg. If you’ve had kidney stones in the past, consider lowering your salt consumption to 1,500 mg per day. This is also beneficial to your heart and blood pressure.

3. Limit animal protein- A diet high in animal protein, such as red meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood, raises uric acid levels, which can contribute to kidney stones. A high-protein diet lowers urinary citrate levels, a molecule in urine that helps prevent stone formation. Limit your daily meat consumption to the equivalent of a deck of playing cards if you’re prone to stones. This is a heart-healthy portion as well.

5. Avoid stone-forming foods– Oxalate is found in beets, cocoa, spinach, rhubarb, tea, and most nuts, and it can cause kidney stones. If you have kidney stones, your doctor may advise you to avoid or consume certain foods in lesser amounts.
6. Avoid vitamin C supplements- Supplementing with vitamin C (ascorbic acid) can lead to kidney stones, especially in males. Men who used large amounts of vitamin C supplements had a twofold increased risk of kidney stone formation. Vitamin C from food, according to researchers, does not pose the same risk.