Kidney stones are nothing but hardened and crystallized minerals and salts that accumulate in the kidneys over time. They are also known as renal stones, calculi, urolithiasis or nephrolithiasis. Although these most commonly form in the kidneys, they can occur in any part of the urinary tract, from your kidneys to your bladder. Kidney stones have no definite, single cause, however, there are several factors that increase the risk of having kidney stones and dehydration tops the list. When your urine contains a lot of crystal-forming substances like calcium, oxalate and uric acid and there is not enough fluid in the urine to dilute the same, it creates an ideal environment for kidney stone formation. Treatment for kidney stones is offered at all the urology surgery hospitals in Pune.

If you have kidney stones you may experience the following

• Severe pain in the side and back,
• Pain below the ribs
• Pain that starts from the mid-abdomen and radiates to the lower abdomen and other areas of the body
• Sudden pain that comes in waves and varies in intensity
• Pain or burning sensation while urinating
• Passing urine that is pink, red, brown or cloudy
• Urine that smells bad
• Persistent urge to pee
• Frequent urination and urinating in small amounts

In extreme cases, the patient may experience fever and chills, which indicates that the patient has developed an infection. In such cases, immediate medical intervention is a must and should not be neglected.

Factors that are known to increase the risks of kidney stones

There are several factors that are known to increase the risks of developing kidney stones. We have listed some of these with the help of the leading urology doctors in Pune.

• Dehydration
• Certain diets that are rich in protein, calcium and sugar
• Digestive diseases
• Undergoing bariatric surgeries
• Underlying medical conditions such as renal tubular acidosis, cystinuria, hyperparathyroidism
• Repeated urinary tract infections
• Taking certain supplements and medications like vitamin C, dietary supplements, laxatives (when used in excess), calcium-based antacids, and medications used to treat migraines or depression
• Unhealthy body weight and obesity
• Family history of kidney stones.

Preventing kidney stones:

Lifestyle factors play a major role in determining your risks of developing kidney stones. Top surgeons in Pune suggest that resorting to healthy lifestyle changes can not only help to lower the risks of kidney stones but have also been found to be effective in the management of the problem at home. So, if you wish to manage the problem effectively at home, here are some simple, yet effective home remedies that will surely help you.

1. Staying hydrated -

Staying hydrated and consuming plenty of water is key when it comes to treating kidney stones. The reason that they form in the first place is the lack of fluids in urine. While drinking plenty of water may help, consuming drinks that have artificial sugar and fructose is known to promote dehydration and therefore should be avoided.

2. Consume citric acid -

By increasing your citric acid intake you reduce the chances of kidney stones related complications as this helps to break calcium deposits, which in turn helps to bring down the risks of stone formation and enlargement. Therefore, citric fruits and vegetables should be incorporated into your diet. Limes and lemons are rich in citric acid, and having fresh lime juice is the best way to infuse citric acid into your daily diet. Apple cider vinegar also has citric acid and can be added to your diet. However, you should only drink fresh, homemade lime juice and avoid those available in the market as these contain artificial flavours and sugar.

3. Incorporate calcium into your diet

It is a myth that calcium intake will increase the risks of calcium oxalate stones. Contrary to this popular myth, it is a low calcium diet that increases the risks of kidney stones. In fact, dietary calcium helps to bind with oxalate in the stomach and intestines and prevents it from being absorbed.

Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yoghurt are good dietary sources of calcium and should be incorporated into your diet.

4. Increase magnesium intake

Munching on foods rich in magnesium, such as seeds, legumes, nuts, dark chocolate, avocados, etc helps to decrease oxalate absorption, which in turn helps to bring down the risks of kidney stones.

5. Decrease your consumption of animal protein

High intake of animal protein is known to increase calcium excretion and decrease levels of citrate, both of which are known to cause kidney stones and therefore it is advised to avoid animal protein and take plant-based protein instead.

Kidney stones are nothing but hardened and crystallized minerals and salts that accumulate in the kidneys over time. They are also known as renal stones, calculi, urolithiasis or nephrolithiasis. Although these most commonly form in the kidneys, they can occur in any part of the urinary tract, from your kidneys to your bladder. Kidney stones have no definite, single cause, however, there are several factors that increase the risk of having kidney stones and dehydration tops the list. When your urine contains a lot of crystal-forming substances like calcium, oxalate and uric acid and there is not enough fluid in the urine to dilute the same, it creates an ideal environment for kidney stone formation. Treatment for kidney stones is offered at best hospitals in Pune.

If you have kidney stones you may experience the following

• Severe pain in the side and back,
• Pain below the ribs
• Pain that starts from the mid-abdomen and radiates to the lower abdomen and other areas of the body
• Sudden pain that comes in waves and varies in intensity
• Pain or burning sensation while urinating
• Passing urine that is pink, red, brown or cloudy
• Urine that smells bad
• Persistent urge to pee
• Frequent urination and urinating in small amounts

In extreme cases, the patient may experience fever and chills, which indicates that the patient has developed an infection. In such cases, immediate medical intervention is a must and should not be neglected.

Factors that are known to increase the risks of kidney stones

There are several factors that are known to increase the risks of developing kidney stones. We have listed some of these with the help of the leading urology doctors in Pune.

• Dehydration
• Certain diets that are rich in protein, calcium and sugar
• Digestive diseases
• Undergoing bariatric surgeries
• Underlying medical conditions such as renal tubular acidosis, cystinuria, hyperparathyroidism
• Repeated urinary tract infections
• Taking certain supplements and medications like vitamin C, dietary supplements, laxatives (when used in excess), calcium-based antacids, and medications used to treat migraines or depression
• Unhealthy body weight and obesity
• Family history of kidney stones.

Preventing kidney stones:

Lifestyle factors play a major role in determining your risks of developing kidney stones. Top urology surgeons in Pune suggest that resorting to healthy lifestyle changes can not only help to lower the risks of kidney stones but have also been found to be effective in the management of the problem at home. So, if you wish to manage the problem effectively at home, here are some simple, yet effective home remedies that will surely help you.

1. Staying hydrated -

Staying hydrated and consuming plenty of water is key when it comes to treating kidney stones. The reason that they form in the first place is the lack of fluids in urine. While drinking plenty of water may help, consuming drinks that have artificial sugar and fructose is known to promote dehydration and therefore should be avoided.

2. Consume citric acid -

By increasing your citric acid intake you reduce the chances of kidney stones related complications as this helps to break calcium deposits, which in turn helps to bring down the risks of stone formation and enlargement. Therefore, citric fruits and vegetables should be incorporated into your diet. Limes and lemons are rich in citric acid, and having fresh lime juice is the best way to infuse citric acid into your daily diet. Apple cider vinegar also has citric acid and can be added to your diet. However, you should only drink fresh, homemade lime juice and avoid those available in the market as these contain artificial flavours and sugar.

3. Incorporate calcium into your diet

It is a myth that calcium intake will increase the risks of calcium oxalate stones. Contrary to this popular myth, it is a low calcium diet that increases the risks of kidney stones. In fact, dietary calcium helps to bind with oxalate in the stomach and intestines and prevents it from being absorbed.

Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yoghurt are good dietary sources of calcium and should be incorporated into your diet.

4. Increase magnesium intake

Munching on foods rich in magnesium, such as seeds, legumes, nuts, dark chocolate, avocados, etc helps to decrease oxalate absorption, which in turn helps to bring down the risks of kidney stones.

5. Decrease your consumption of animal protein

High intake of animal protein is known to increase calcium excretion and decrease levels of citrate, both of which are known to cause kidney stones and therefore it is advised to avoid animal protein and take plant-based protein instead.