Safety tips for preventing painful kidney stones

Experiencing a kidney stone often means enduring sharp, intense pain in the back, side, or lower abdomen, which may radiate towards the groin. This pain is typically caused by a small, hard mineral deposit known as renal calculi, nephrolithiasis, or urolithiasis moving through the urinary tract.

Other symptoms of the condition can include blood in the urine, nausea, vomiting, chills, fever, and a persistent urge to urinate, often accompanied by pain.

Fortunately, taking a few precautions can help prevent this painful condition, and usually, if recognised in time, kidney stones cause no permanent damage.

Meanwhile, recurrent kidney stones or obstructing stones (especially bilaterally or in the presence of another compromise to the kidney) may cause renal damage.

A kidney stone is a hard, crystalline mineral deposit that forms in the kidneys when waste products in the urine become concentrated and crystallised, according to an online medical portal, Mayo Clinic.

These stones can range in size from tiny grains to large masses and are usually made of calcium, oxalate, uric acid, or other substances, it stated.

A Consultant Nephrologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Professor Olugbenga Awobusuyi, explained that kidney stones come with unbearable pain that can wake someone from a deep sleep, causing them to scream and vomit.

He explained that stones form when urine becomes concentrated, causing minerals to crystallise and stick together in the kidney.

Awobusuyi, who is also the President of the Nigerian Association of Nephrology, pointed out that conditions that increase calcium content in the body can be predisposing factors for kidney stones.

He noted that a diet high in protein, sodium (salt), and sugar can significantly increase the risk.

As a Professor of Medicine at the Lagos State University College of Medicine, he highlighted that different types of kidney stones, including calcium, struvite, uric acid, and cystine stones, affect the kidney in different ways.

“Calcium stones, the most common type, are usually made of calcium oxalate,” he said, mentioning that too much salt in the diet increases the amount of calcium the kidneys must filter, thus raising the risk of developing kidney stones.

Moreover, Co-director of the Kidney Stone Programme at the Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr Brian Eisner, explained that kidney stones are more common in men than in women and that about 50 per cent of people who have had one will experience another within 10 to 15 years if preventive measures aren’t taken.

He clarified that kidney stones develop when substances like calcium, oxalate, and uric acid become concentrated enough to form crystals in the kidneys, which grow into stones.

According to Harvard Medical School, approximately 80 to 85 per cent of kidney stones are made of calcium, while the rest are uric acid stones, which form in individuals with low urine pH levels.

“Once stones form, they can dislodge and travel down the urethra (the tube that connects the kidneys to the bladder), blocking the flow of urine and causing severe pain, including flank pain, blood in the urine, nausea, and vomiting,” it added.

As the stones move toward the bladder, they may cause frequent urination, bladder pressure, or pain in the groin, it noted.

The Urology Care Foundation, powered by the American Urological Association, explained that urine contains dissolved minerals and salts, which can form stones when their levels are too high.

“While some kidney stones remain in the kidneys without causing problems, others may travel down the ureter, the tube between the kidney and the bladder. If the stone reaches the bladder, it can be passed out of the body in urine. However, if it gets lodged in the ureter, it can block urine flow from that kidney, causing pain,” the foundation said.

However, preventing kidney stones requires making lifestyle changes and adopting habits that reduce the risk of stone formation.

By following these preventive measures, individuals can significantly lower their risk and maintain kidney health in the long term:

Drink enough water

Drinking plenty of water is one of the most effective ways to prevent kidney stones. Water dilutes the urine, reducing the concentration of substances that could form stones. A meta-analysis by the National Kidney Foundation found that individuals who produced 2 to 2.5 litres of urine daily were 50 per cent less likely to develop kidney stones compared to those who produced less. To achieve this, it typically requires about 8 to 10 eight-ounce glasses (roughly 2 litres) of water per day.

Eat more calcium-rich plant foods

Good sources of plant-based calcium include soya products, beans, lentils, and seeds. Dietary calcium binds to oxalate in the intestines, reducing its absorption and leading to lower concentrations of oxalate in the urine, which can help prevent kidney stones. While calcium from food is essential, calcium supplements can sometimes increase the risk of stones, so caution is advised.

Be cautious with vitamin C supplements

Vitamin C is beneficial for overall health. However, a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that men who took vitamin C supplements of 1,000 mg or more per day had an increased risk of kidney stones. However, this finding applies specifically to vitamin C supplements. The same risk was not observed when vitamin C was consumed through food, which remains the best source.

Cut back on animal protein

According to Awobusuyi, consuming excessive amounts of animal protein, such as meat, eggs, and seafood, can increase the risk of kidney stones. If you are prone to kidney stones, try to limit your daily intake of meat to a portion no larger than the size of a pack of playing cards.

Reduce sugary drinks

Excessive sugar intake, especially fructose, can increase the risk of kidney stones. Reduce consumption of sugary drinks, including sodas and sweetened beverages. “Limit sugar-sweetened foods and drinks, especially those that contain high fructose corn syrup. Also, limit alcohol because it can increase uric acid levels in the blood, and avoid crash diets for the same reason,” said the National Kidney Foundation.

Enjoy some lemons

According to Eisner, citrate, a compound found in citric acid, binds to calcium and helps prevent stone formation. Studies suggest that drinking half a cup of lemon juice concentrate diluted in water each day (or the juice of two lemons) can increase urine citrate levels, which may help reduce the risk of kidney stones.

Limit your salt intake

The more sodium you consume, the more calcium your kidneys must filter, which increases the risk of kidney stones. Reduce sodium intake by limiting or avoiding fast food, salty snacks, and packaged, processed, or canned foods. Aim to consume less than 2,000 milligrams of sodium per day.