Preventing the Pain of Kidney Stones

Even if you have never experienced one, just about everyone has heard of kidney stones. In fact, studies have suggested that one in eleven people in the United States have suffered from the pain they cause.

These painful hard clumps of minerals form in concentrated urine and are infamously painful to pass. Other than pain in the back, abdomen, groin, and ribs, other symptoms include burning sensation while urinating, urine that is pink, red, or brown in color and has an abnormal odor, and frequent urination. Should the kidney stone cause an infection, fevers and chills can occur.

Prevention
Reducing your body’s chances of creating a kidney stone is as simple as making sure to drink plenty of water throughout a day. If you are an avid soda drinker, try to replace a couple of glasses with water every day. Set a water-drinking schedule to make sure you are getting enough throughout the day.

Eating more produce gives you vital elements that prevent stones from forming. This includes potassium, antioxidants, and fiber. You should try to eat at least five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables per day.

Reducing your daily salt intake also helps. The CDC recommends that Americans should consume less than 2,300 mg a day. Try adding less salt to meals and avoid foods that are high in sodium.

Treatment
Treatment for a kidney stone is determined on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes you may pass it on your own – it will be painful but will not cause long-term damage. If the pain is severe, we recommend going to the emergency room to have it taken care of. Otherwise, contact us for assessment and further treatment.

Sources
Kidney Stones [Mayo Clinic]
What are Kidney Stones? [Urology Care Foundation]