Diet principles for those with kidney stones

Kidney stones are a painful condition to do with your renal system. They may form in the kidneys but are not limited in their impact to just the kidneys. Much like with most diseases, our diet plays an important role in the disease prognosis, and kidney stones are no exception. 

What are kidney stones?

Our kidneys are bean-shaped structures that help in the process of filtering blood. They remove waste and excess water, alongside performing other roles. 

The problem looms when there is an excess of certain salts and minerals and not enough fluid. The salts then accumulate to form stones, which may be very small, or as big as a golf ball even. 

These crystals may remain in the kidneys, where they may or may not cause problems, or they may travel to the ureter, where they may lead to problems, especially when are large. They may lead to immense pain, infection, vomiting, fever, and chills, requiring the urgent intervention of your urologist in Karachi then. 

There are different ways to manage kidney stones, depending on the condition and symptoms of the patient. 

Diet to help with kidney stones 

Your dietary habits have an important role to play for your health overall, but especially when it comes to kidney stones, as eating habits increase the propensity towards developing them. 

Here are some principles to abide by when it comes to preventing and improving a case of kidney stones: 

Drink enough fluids 

Drinking enough water is pertinent to lower the risk of kidney stones. When you do not drink enough water, then the urine formed is very concentrated. Consequently, that increases the risk of kidney stone formation. 

Hence, be sure to drink plenty of water. Your water intake increases as per your weather as well. Ideally, you should take at least 2 to 2.5 liters of water every day. Alongside drinking water, you can also eat vegetables and fruits with high water content, like cucumber, oranges, etc. 

Moreover, refrain from drinking too much caffeine, as it leads to promotes the loss of water from the body. Also, do not use sugary beverages for hydration, as too much sugar is not good for your health either. 

Fruits and vegetables are a must 

Eating sufficient fruits and vegetables is good to avert the risk of kidney stones. For people who like to indulge in meat, eating fruits and vegetables is a must; the acidic urine, which is more prone to kidney stones, formed due to the meat is then balanced by the fruits and vegetables, which make the urine alkaline.

Moreover, these foods are also a good source of potassium, fiber, magnesium etc. that help prevent the formation of kidney stones. 

Keep away from too much oxalate-rich foods 

Some foods are rich in oxalate, which when combined with calcium, leads to kidney stone formation. These include spinach, rhubarb, almonds, cocoa powder, black tea, etc. 

Refrain from too much calcium 

Too much calcium can also contribute to the formation of kidney stones. One way to prevent this is by using calcium supplements only at the discretion of the doctor. 

Since calcium is very important for the body, therefore, do not give up on it altogether. Take moderate amounts of it with each meal. 

Furthermore, to lower the risk of calcium contributing to stone formation, make sure to drink enough water and take less oxalate in your diet. 

Sodium matters 

As too much salt increases the presence of calcium in the urine, therefore moderate salt intake. 

Pipe down on the meat 

Too much meat can also increase the risk for stones, therefore try to moderate your intake of meat including fish, poultry, and red meat. This does not mean everyone has to give up meat, but if your urologist thinks you are more likely to make calcium oxalate or cystine stones, then cutting back is important.