Have you or anyone you know ever experienced having kidney stones? If so, you must be very familiar with the excruciating pain that comes with it. Despite their size, they can give you a lot of trouble medically and financially. About one in ten people also experience the condition at least once in their life.
Thankfully, there are many ways to prevent repeat cases of kidney stones. Let’s talk about these preventive steps and where you can go for the treatment of kidney stones in Brockton & Taunton, MA.
Drink Plenty of Water
One of the easiest and most effective ways of preventing kidney stones is staying hydrated. The water you drink can help break down any solids accumulated in your kidneys.
If you continuously drink water, this process will repeat, ensuring no buildup in the organ.
Experts recommend drinking about eight servings of 12-16 ounces each per day. However, you must consider other factors, such as the weather or the amount of physical activity you’ve done. If you find yourself sweating heavily, be sure to drink more than the recommended amount.
To see if you’ve drunk enough water, you can check the color of your urine. If it is clear or pale yellow, that means you are well-hydrated. If it is a darker color, you haven’t had a healthy amount of water.
However, do not aim to turn your urine clear, as that may lead to overhydration. Also, note that factors like medications and food colorants can affect urine color.
Be Mindful of What You Eat
What you eat always influences how healthy your body is. After all, food is your source of nourishment. However, eating certain foods can and will eventually lead to a buildup of substances that can stay inside your kidneys.
For example, food with oxalates can cause a buildup of calcium in your kidneys, which will create stones. This is because oxalates prevent your body from absorbing calcium properly.
Foods with this substance include beets, spinach, asparagus, tea, and chocolate.
Eating foods rich in animal protein also leads to kidney stones. Red meat, poultry, and seafood can raise your body’s uric acid level. Uric acid is a waste by-product that can accumulate in your kidneys, eventually forming stones.
Eating large amounts of sodium-heavy and processed foods can also lead to this painful condition.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
People who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop kidney stones. Patients who have undergone weight loss surgery are also at an increased risk of developing the condition.
It is important to manage your weight to prevent kidney stones. Adequate exercise can help you do this, as physical activity improves blood circulation in your body, including your kidneys.
Improved circulation can help your kidneys find it easier to filter waste, reducing the likelihood of stones.
The ideal weight for each person is different, so approaching a healthcare provider will greatly help.
Stop Smoking
People who smoke are at an increased risk of getting kidney stones. This is because smoking damages and hardens the blood vessels, constricting blood flow in the body.
Your kidneys need blood to function, so limited circulation can prevent your blood from being filtered properly. This will eventually lead to a buildup of substances that will form kidney stones.
Consult a Nephrologist
If you would like to get the specifics of kidney stone prevention, you can go to a nephrologist. As kidney specialists, they have the knowledge and expertise to answer your questions about your kidneys.
During your consultation, you may inquire about what you should avoid doing to prevent kidney stones. You can also ask for clarification if something is not clear to you.
A nephrologist may help you identify if you are likely to develop kidney stones and why that is the case. They may prescribe some medicine to resolve the issue if they realize that you are at risk of the condition.
The kind of medication you get will depend on the stones that are likely to form in your kidneys.
They may also evaluate your medical history and habits to recommend necessary lifestyle changes.
Top Nephrologists in Brockton & Taunton,MA
If you are concerned that you are at risk of kidney stones, then we have got you covered. Our board-certified nephrologists at Associates in Nephrology are ready to provide expert diagnosis and care. At our offices, you can be sure that you will receive nothing but the best treatment for your kidney condition.
If you’d like to schedule an appointment or ask us any questions, callus today at (508) 587-0700 or request your appointment online.
We look forward to serving you!
