02/12/2025
πͺ¨ WHAT ARE KIDNEY STONES?
Kidney stones form when certain minerals and salts, such as calcium, oxalate, or uric acid, stick together in your kidneys and turn into solid lumps.
These lumps can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball.
πͺ¨ COMMON SYMPTOMS
- Sharp pain in the back or side, usually below the ribs
- Pain that spreads to the lower abdomen and groin
- Pain while urinating
Pink, red, or brown urine
- Nausea and vomiting
- Frequent need to urinate but only small amounts of urine
πͺ¨ WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF KIDNEY STONES?
- Not drinking enough water π§ causes concentrated urine, making it easier for stones to form
- Non-stop eating of foods high in salt, sugar, or protein can lead to stone formation
- Conditions like obesity, gout, or certain digestive diseases increase the risk
- If someone in your family has had kidney stones, youβre more likely to get them.
πͺ¨ TREATMENT OPTIONS
This depends on their size and type:
- Small Stones
Usually pass on their own with plenty of water and pain relief medications
While
- Larger Stones
May need medical intervention like shock wave therapy to break them up or surgery to remove them.
πͺ¨ HOW TO PREVENT KIDNEY STONES
- π§ drink enough water a day. Water dilutes your urine and helps prevent the formation of stones
- Try to limit foods like chips, processed foods, and fast food
- Eat calcium rich foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt, as calcium binds to oxalate and reduces stone formation
- Limit Oxalate rich foods; Spinach, beets, and nuts are high in oxalates, which can contribute to stone formation
- Exercise and move around more can help maintain a healthy weight and reduce stone risk.
πͺ¨ IF NOTHING HELPS
Like you experience severe pain, blood in your urine, or difficulty urinating, see your doctor
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