How to Treat Kidney Stones

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How to Treat Kidney Stones

If you have ever dealt with kidney stones, you would likely never wish it on your worst enemy and would probably try anything to avoid such experience. According to the Mayo Clinic, kidney stones are more prevalent in men than in women. And more than half of those who have experienced kidney stones, have dealt with kidney stones again within ten to fifteen years Without any preventive measures. Dr. Lazare is one of the few urologists in Brooklyn, New York who performs Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy, and ureteroscopy, and laser lithotripsy to patients with kidney stones to manage their symptoms. However, this blog aims to explore how to treat kidney stones at home. Read on how to go about it!

Drink Lemon Juice

Kidney stones typically develop when certain substances, including oxalate, uric acid, and calcium, become concentrated in your kidneys and form a crystal, which increases in size and forms “stones.” Calcium makes up about 80% of kidney stones. Lemons contain citrate, which helps dissolve calcium deposits and prevent the calcium crystals from increasing in size. A cross-sectional study published in the Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran demonstrated that a sugar-free lemon could help treat kidney stones. In fact, drinking about 100mls of lemon juice can increase the body’s levels of citrate.

Stay Hydrated

When it comes to managing kidney stones, experts generally recommend drinking a lot of water. Water helps dilute and similarly increases the volume of substances that form kidney stones, thereby reducing their chances of crystalizing. Beverages like tea, wine, coffee, orange juice, and beer have also been linked with a lower risk. On the other hand, drinking a lot of soda has been found to contribute to kidney stones.

Watermelon

Watermelon contains a high amount of potassium that helps regulate the levels of acid in urine. Similarly, watermelon is diuretic in nature and will thus give the kidneys decent flushing and help prevent the crystals from forming. Other foods that are diuretic in nature that can help manage kidney stones include:

• celery
• asparagus
• cucumbers
• brussels sprouts.

Manage Weight

A retrospective study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine Research found that out of 146 participants with recurring kidney stones, about 43.8% were overweight or had obesity. Although this research did not suggest causality, experts have argued that there is a correlation between overweight and kidneys. The authors also suggested that metabolic conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, may contribute to the formation of kidney stones.

Meet the Body’s Calcium Requirement

It is a common misunderstanding that avoiding foods that contain calcium helps reduce the risk of forming kidneys stones. Calcium oxalate stones are the most common type of kidney stone. For individuals with calcium oxalate stones eating foods that contain calcium can help cut the risk of developing kidney stones. People can obtain calcium from dairy products, kale, broccoli, grain, Chinese cabbage, and calcium-enriched cereals.

Get Help for Your Kidney Stones

Kidney stones can be very painful. Smaller stones can be managed using some home remedies presented in this blog. However, you should always consult your doctors because larger kidney stones can be devastating. Besides, it is always advisable to consult professionals. If you are experiencing excruciating kidney stones, do not hesitate to visit your doctor.

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