Kidney stones - self-care

A kidney stone is a small substance composed of numerous crystals. How to fight from Kidney Stone/Kidney stones - self-care

Kidney stones - self-care

Kidney stones - self-care

A kidney stone is a small substance composed of numerous crystals. Your physician may recommend self-care measures to treat kidney stones or prevent their recurrence.

What to Expect at Home

You visited a medical professional or hospital because you have a kidney stone. You will need to engage in self-care. Depending on the type of stone you have, you may perform the following steps:

  • Drinking extra water and other liquids
  • Eating more of some foods and cutting back on other foods
  • Taking medicines to help prevent stones
  • Taking medicines to help you pass a stone (anti-inflammatory drugs, alpha-blockers)

You may be required to attempt to capture your kidney stone. This can be accomplished by collecting and purifying all of your urine. Your provider will instruct you on how to proceed.

How to fight from Kidney Stone/Kidney stones - self-care

What is a Kidney Stone?

A kidney stone is a solid mass that develops inside the kidney. A kidney stone can become lodged as it exits the kidney. It can become lodged in one of your two ureters, your bladder, or your urethra.

Kidney stones can range in size from that of grains or gravel to that of a gemstone or even larger. A stone can obstruct urine passage and cause severe agony. A stone may also dislodge and pass through your urinary tract and out of your body without causing excessive discomfort.

There are four major types of kidney stones.

  • Calcium is the most common type of stone. Calcium can combine with other substances, such as oxalate (the most common substance), to form the stone.
  • uric acid stone may form when your urine contains too much acid.
  • struvite stone may form after an infection in your urinary system.
  • Cystine stones are rare. Cystinuria, the disease that causes cystine stones, runs in families.

Fluids

For treating and preventing all varieties of kidney stones, drinking a lot of fluids is crucial. Keeping yourself hydrated (having enough fluid in your body) will dilute your urine. This makes the formation of stones more difficult.

  • Water is best.
  • You can also drink ginger ale, lemon-lime sodas, and fruit juices.
  • Drink enough liquids throughout the day to make at least 2 quarts (2 liters) of urine every 24 hours.
  • Drink enough to have light-colored urine. Dark yellow urine is a sign you are not drinking enough.

Coffee, tea, and cola should be limited to one or two containers (250 or 500 milliliters) per day. Caffeine may cause excessive fluid loss, which can lead to dehydration.

Diet and Calcium Stones

Follow these guidelines if you have calcium kidney stones:

  • Drink plenty of fluids, particularly water.
  • Eat less salt. Chinese and Mexican food, tomato juice, regular canned foods, and processed foods are often high in salt. Look for low-salt or unsalted products.
  • Have only 2 or 3 servings a day of foods with a lot of calcium, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, oysters, and tofu.
  • Eat lemons or oranges, or drink fresh lemonade. Citrate in these foods prevents stones from forming.
  • Limit how much protein you eat. Choose lean meats.
  • Eat a low-fat diet.

Do not take extra calcium or vitamin D, unless the provider who is treating your kidney stones recommends it.

  • Watch out for antacids that contain extra calcium. Ask your provider which antacids are safe for you to take.
  • Your body still needs the normal amount of calcium you get from your daily diet. Limiting calcium may actually increase the chance that stones will form.

Ask your provider before taking vitamin C or fish oil. They may be harmful to you.

If your provider says you have calcium oxalate stones, you may also need to limit foods that are high in oxalate. These foods include:

  • Fruits: rhubarb, currants, canned fruit salad, strawberries, and Concord grapes
  • Vegetables: beets, leeks, summer squash, sweet potatoes, spinach, and tomato soup
  • Drinks: tea and instant coffee
  • Other foods: grits, tofu, nuts, and chocolate

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Diet and Uric Acid Stones

Avoid these foods if you have uric acid stones:

  • Alcohol
  • Anchovies
  • Asparagus
  • Baking or brewer's yeast
  • Cauliflower
  • Consommé
  • Gravy
  • Herring
  • Legumes (dried beans and peas)
  • Mushrooms
  • Oils
  • Organ meats (liver, kidney, and sweetbreads)
  • Sardines
  • Spinach

Other suggestions for your diet include:

  • Do not eat more than 3 ounces (85 grams) of meat at each meal.
  • Avoid fatty foods such as salad dressings, ice cream, and fried foods.
  • Eat enough carbohydrates.
  • Eat more lemons and oranges, and drink lemonade because the citrate in these foods stops stones from forming.
  • Drink plenty of fluids, particularly water.

If you are losing weight, lose it slowly. Quick weight loss may cause uric acid stones to form.

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