Are you experiencing severe pain in the back radiating to the front? Have you noticed cloudy urine or burning sensation during urination? These are the signs of Nephrolithiasis, aka Kidney stones! Before they grow in size and ruin your kidneys, you must take immediate action. Along with your regular medication, home remedies can help in flushing out these kidney stones and prevent them from recurring.
Types Of Kidney Stones :
1. Calcium Stones:
This is the most common type of kidney stones. They are made of calcium oxalate mostly, phosphate and maleate too. They usually occur due to consumption of an oxalate-rich diet like spinach, beets, peanuts etc.
2. Uric Acid Stones:
They occur when the urine is too acidic, especially in people with gout. They are more frequent in men than in women.
3. Struvite Stones:
This type of stones usually occur in women with urinary tract infections. These stones can be large and can cause urinary obstruction.
4. Cystine Stones:
This type is rare, and occurs in people suffering from cystinuria. The amino acid cystine leaks into urine and forms stones.
Causes Of Kidney Stones:
Kidney stones are mineral deposits formed in the Kidney, as a result of excess Calcium or uric acid. They usually grow in size and sometimes can cause urinary obstruction if too large. The following factors increase the risk of Kidney stones in your body:
- Lack of enough water – dehydration.
- Foods rich in oxalate like nuts, chocolate etc.
- Frequent Urinary tract Infections, esp in women.
- Intake of protein rich foods excessively
- Certain medications
- Genetic Factors
Symptoms Of Kidney Stones:
Here are a few common symptoms experienced with kidney stones:
- Pain in the lower back or side of the ribs.
- Pain in the lower abdomen radiating from loin to groin.
- Burning sensation or pain during micturition.
- Cloudy Urine with the foul smell.
- Urge to urinate frequently.
- Passing urine in very small quantities.
- Fever with chills.
How To Prevent Kidney Stones:
As a famous saying goes, prevention is better than cure. Even if you have a history of stones, following these precautions can ensure reduced reoccurrence in future:
- Stay adequately hydrated to avoid concentration of Urine
- Decrease consumption of Oxalate-rich foods like beetroots, tea, chocolate, Soya etc.,
- Consume a diet low in sodium to safeguard your kidneys.
- Maintain proper hygiene and avoid recurrent urinary tract infections.
- Have regular medical checkups to detect any problems early.
