According to a statistical report, 12% of the total population reported being prone to urinary stones. Of this 12%, 50% of the population are severely affected by renal damage, which even leads to a loss of kidneys.” That translates to 17 crore people affected by kidney stone disease. A kidney stone removal process in Vadodara costs somewhere between 40 to 70K.(source). But the good news is that you can prevent them from happening, interested to know more about it? Hello! I am Dr. Madhav Tamhankar from Janvi Multispecialty hospital. As a nephrologist, I work at Janvi Hospital, ‘the kidney hospital in Vadodara.’ The purpose of this write-up is to educate you about Kidney Stone Disease (KSD) and suggest lifestyle and dietary changes to prevent it.
Let’s Begin!
What are Kidney Stones?
In simple words, they are the crystals that are formed in your kidneys. They can be found in:
- Kidneys
- Ureters
- Bladder
- Urethra
What are the Different Types of Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are formed from a variety of materials. Depending on the diet that we have, different stones are formed. In India, calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones are common.
The different types of stones that can be found in the kidneys include:
Calcium Oxalate Stones:
These stones are made up of calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate. Oxalate is a type of acid found in plants. When we consume certain vegetables, we indirectly consume oxalates. They are not needed for our bodies.
At our kidney hospital in Vadodara, we guide people to have foods that have low oxalate content. This can go a long way in preventing kidney stones.
Here’s a list of some foods that are high in oxalate content:
- Fruits like Berries, Kiwis, Figs, and Purple Grapes
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Vegetables like Potatoes, Okra, Spinach, Beets
- Legumes
- Grains like Bran Flakes, Wheat Germ, Quinoa
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Peanuts
- Soy Products
- Tea
- Cocoa
- Chocolates
If you observe keenly these are the items that we intake almost daily or frequently. As a kidney specialist in Vadodara, I often advise my patients to intake low-oxalate diets. Ideally, it should be less than 40 to 50 mg per day.
Else, you can merge them with dairy products like milk and then consume them. This reduces the oxalate content. Also, soaking and cooking can help to reduce the oxalate content in food.
Working with a kidney care hospital in Vadodara, I’ve observed that a high intake of Vitamin C also leads to rising in oxalates.
As a pro tip from the kidney specialist in Vadodara, you should always combine calcium-rich foods with foods that contain oxalates.
Some of the foods that contain calcium in high quantities include:
- Cow’s Milk
- Yogurt
- Cheese
- Broccoli
- Kale
- Calcium-Fortified Juices
- Dried Beans
- Salmon
- Calcium-Fortified Hot Cereal
Uric Acid Stone:
High levels of uric acid in blood and urine can cause uric acid stones. A high level of uric acid can be found in urine if the body is unable to process the uric acid or proteins in the body. It can also build up if you eat food rich in purines.
Struvite Stones:
These types of stones are formed due to urinary tract infections. At our kidney hospital in Vadodara, we find very few cases of struvite stones. They can be removed by antibiotics or surgery, depending on the size and the structure of the stones.
Cystine Stones:
At our kidney care hospital in Vadodara, these are the rarest forms of kidney stones that we notice. They occur in both men and women who have the genetic disorder. Cystinuria. What are the symptoms of kidney stones that signal you to visit the best kidney hospital in Vadodara?
Small urine stones can be painful but they pass from our urine on their own. However, if you have the following symptoms then you need to visit a kidney hospital and find out possible treatments to get rid of kidney stones.
- Pain in the Lower Back
- Nausea and Vomiting Associated with Pain
- Presence of Blood in the Urine
- Pain While Urinating
- Fever
- Cloudy or Smelly Urine
How are Kidney Stones Treated?
Kidney stones can be treated with medicines or surgery. Depending on the size, location, and type of the stone, the line of treatment is finalized.
What should be done to Prevent Kidney Stones?
Adopt a healthy lifestyle. Don’t eat anything in excess(not even healthy food)… I am saying this because, during COVID, I’ve seen people intake lots of lemons to prevent covid. It can be problematic for kidneys! Anything in excess is bad! Just need to remember that and stay hydrated always. This helps your kidneys to flush out the toxins from your body.
About Dr. Madhav Tamhankar: Dr. Madhav Tamhankar is a Nephrologist/Renal Specialist in Vadodara and has an experience of 8 years in this field. He completed DNB – General Medicine from the National Board of Examination in 2010 and DNB – Nephrology from the National Board of Examination in 2015. (ECFMG Certified)