Make the passing of kidney stones easier and less painful for your body with a few tweaks in diet and lifestyle changes. Here’s a guide to doing so. Check it out!

There is no doubt that kidney stones are painful and debilitating. If you have ever gone through one or seen anyone suffering from the same, you might already know it. The function of our kidneys is to remove waste and excess minerals. This removal happens through urine. Sometimes, these minerals get accumulated in the kidney forming crystal-like stones. These stones may move to the ureter, which is the tube that connects the kidney and the bladder. 

All kidney stones are not harmful and painful. Some small stones may pass through the ureter and then through the urine without complications and symptoms. However, some stones get larger in size over time and get stuck in the ureter leading to complications like infection and kidney damage. This blog will talk about two important things you can do to make the passing of kidney stones easier. 

• Drink water, a little more water, and again more water 

Staying hydrated is key. The best part about drinking water for kidney stones is that it not only helps in the easy passing of stones but it is also a preventive measure for not getting kidney stones. So, irrespective of whether you have kidney stones or not, make it a habit to drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water a day.

You can also drink other fluids like lemon, orange, lime, or other citrus fruit juices to increase your fluid consumption. Drinking apple cider vinegar with water is also a great prevention technique when it comes to kidney stones. According to studies, people who produce 2-2.5 litres of urine daily are less prone to develop kidney stones compared to those who produce less. So, keep drinking as much fluid as possible.

• Include the necessary in your diet and exclude the unnecessary from your diet

When it comes to following a diet, it is highly advised to talk to a doctor before you finalise your diet. However, skipping high-oxalate foods like spinach, almonds, etc. will help in managing the oxalate levels in the body. Instead, you can increase the consumption of diuretic food items like cucumber, watermelon, celery, etc. in your regular diet. 

It is important to manage sodium consumption as high sodium food increases the calcium in your urine which can, in turn, trigger kidney stones. It is advised to limit your daily sodium intake to 1500 mg if you have had a history of kidney stones and 2300 mg if you never have had kidney stones before. In general, reduce the consumption of salt. Just like having citric fruit juices, consuming raw citrus fruits can also help in managing kidney stones to a large extent. 

Another crucial diet tip is to limit the intake of animal protein like pork, eggs, beef, cheese, etc. Vitamin C is known for producing oxalate in your body and that’s why it is best advised to never have vitamins without a doctor’s recommendation. 

In short, follow a diet that’s low in calcium, salt, and protein, especially if you are prone to kidney stones. According to studies, it is highly possible for people who have had kidney stones once to have it again within 10-15 years if preventive measures weren’t followed. 

As mentioned earlier, before you fix a diet for yourself or try out any home remedies for that matter, you must consult an expert doctor. Preventive measures and home remedies work differently for different people. And when you go for an expert, go for the best. SMILES Hospital is the best hospital in Bangalore for all types of gastroenterological and urological problems. So, if you are looking for the best doctor for gastroenterology in Bangalore to seek specialised medical advice, you will find it at SMILES. Uterine health is very important, especially because health conditions like urinary incontinence and kidney stones can be agonizing.

There is no doubt that prevention is always better than cure. But if cure is what you are looking for, we have got you there too! Come to SMILES and leave with a smile!