Drink more water to keep kidney stones at bay

Renal stones are one of the common afflictions of the kidney, especially in hot and dry conditions, according to Dr. Saurabh Singh, Specialist Urologist, Zulekha Hospital, Sharjah. A kidney stone is a solid piece of material that forms in a kidney when substances that are normally found in the urine become highly concentrated. With summer approaching, this is right time to be more aware of the problem. How to know that you have stones in your kidney A kidney stone may not cause symptoms until it moves around within your kidney or passes into your ureter — (the tube connecting the kidney and bladder).  At that point, these signs and symptoms may occur: Severe pain in the side and back, below the ribs, pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity, pain on urination, pink, red or brown urine, cloudy or foul smelling urine. Nausea and vomiting fever. To diagnose kidney stones, the doctor will perform a physical exam and take a medical history. They may perform urine, blood, and imaging tests, such as an X-ray or computerised tomography (CT) scan to complete the diagnosis. Urine tests can show whether the person has an infection or the urine contains substances that form stones.   Blood test can show biochemical problems that can lead to kidney stones. It includes renal function test.    X ray can show the location of stones in the kidney or urinary tract.   CT scans use a combination of X-rays and computer technology to create three-dimensional (3-D) image. CT scans can show stone locations and conditions that may have caused the stone to form. Rather than having to undergo treatment, it is best to avoid kidney stones in the first place when possible. It can be especially helpful to drink more water since low fluid intake and dehydration are major risk factors for kidney stone formation. You may reduce your risk of kidney stones if you: Drink water throughout the day. For people with a history of kidney stones, doctors usually recommend passing about 2.5 liters of urine a day. If you live in a hot, dry climate or you exercise frequently, you may need to drink even more water to produce enough urine. If your urine is light and clear, you’re likely drinking enough water. Eat fewer oxalate-rich foods. If you tend to form calcium oxalate stones, your doctor may recommend restricting foods rich in oxalates. These include rhubarb, beets, okra, spinach, sweet potatoes, nuts, tea, chocolate and soy products.   Choose a diet low in salt and animal protein. Reduce the amount of salt you eat and choose non-animal protein sources, such as legumes. Don’t add salt to salads and dressings   Continue eating calcium-rich foods, but use caution with calcium supplements. Calcium in food doesn’t have an effect on your risk of kidney stones. Continue eating calcium-rich foods unless your doctor advises otherwise. Source: Khaleej Times