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Jun 24

Prevent kidney stones with these diet and lifestyle habits – TODAY

Diet Comments Off on Prevent kidney stones with these diet and lifestyle habits – TODAY

An estimated one in 10 Americans will suffer from a kidney stone at some point, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Kidney stones can be very painful, but if you do wind up with one, you may be able to manage it with at-home remedies. Here are some prevention pointers as well as some information about how to treat kidney stones at home on your own.

Your kidneys function to filter out waste material and excess fluid in your urine. A kidney stone forms when certain chemical waste matter builds up and there isnt enough fluid to filter it out properly. When this happens, the chemicals crystalize and eventually form a stone that can continue to get larger unless its passed out of the body through urine. Very small stones (about the size of a grain of salt) may be passed without difficulty, but larger stones (pebble-sized) can cause significant pain as they move through the narrow vessels where urine flows out of the kidneys. If a kidney stone becomes too large, it can lead to a blockage of these vessels and prevent urine from flowing.

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While some people hardly notice tiny stones, a larger kidney stone may induce excruciating pain in your back, side or the lower part of your belly. Some people experience fluctuating pain thats sharp at one moment and tolerable the next. Other symptoms include burning when you urinate and irregular urine color (red, pink or brown) or odor. Nausea, vomiting and fever can also be signs of a kidney stone.

If you think you may have a kidney stone, its a good idea to see a doctor right away. Your doctor may want to run blood, urine and imaging tests to detect a kidney stone and rule out other possible causes of your pain. You may also be asked to collect stones that you pass in order for them to be analyzed. This process helps your doctor pinpoint the type of stones that you have, which can not only help inform your treatment but also your plan to prevent future stones.

If you're experiencing pain, you'll want to know how to pass kidney stones fast. Larger stones are likely to need medical treatment. They either need to be broken down so theyre small enough to pass through your urinary tract or be surgically removed. Smaller stones, however, can be passed without such interventions. If your doctor suggests at-home treatment for kidney stones, the best thing to do is drink plenty of water. Drinking extra fluid will help prevent the stone from growing larger and becoming more troublesome. Itll also help signal your body to urinate, so the stone can pass through your urine. Since kidney stones cause pain, you can also try an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. (Just be sure to use these medications as directed.)

Certain kidney stone prevention recommendations are targeted to the type of kidney stone youve had, but there are general diet and lifestyle habits that can reduce the overall risk.

Since staying hydrated is a top treatment and prevention strategy, consider these tips to help you increase your water intake.

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Prevent kidney stones with these diet and lifestyle habits - TODAY

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