The term recurrent kidney stones describes a condition where a person develops kidney stones frequently over time. The following are some characteristics of recurring kidney stones:
Patients who have passed one kidney stone are likely to experience
recurrence.
Certain medical and lifestyle factors increase the risk of recurrence, such as low urine
volume, high levels of substances that form stones (oxalate, calcium, uric acid), and low
levels of stone inhibitors.
Thus, it is necessary to carefully treat the underlying risk factors associated with recurrent
kidney stones, a common condition to avoid further occurrences.
Causes of Recurrent kidney stones
A repeat episode might occur for a variety of reasons. Most of the time,
lifestyle factors including
increased consumption of animal protein, particularly red and organ meat, which raises uric acid
levels while lowering the demand for chemicals that prevent minerals from crystallizing, are to
blame for kidney stone development. If you experience recurred kidney stones, speaking with
Dr. Vijay Patel, a doctor for kidney stones in Mumbai, is a
wise decision.
Due to high sodium intake and decreased water intake, obesity or being overweight is associated
with higher uric acid levels and a greater chance of developing recurring kidney stones.
The likelihood of acquiring kidney stones again or developing more stones can be significantly
reduced by making certain lifestyle changes. Losing weight, drinking lots of water, avoiding sodium,
eating more fruits and vegetables and less animal protein are a few examples of lifestyle changes.
Not everyone has recurrent kidney stones as a result of their lifestyle; some people also experience it as a result of hereditary or genetic diseases, such as
- Cystinuria, a condition that causes elevated levels of the amino acid cystine in the urine, which crystallizes and forms kidney stones.
- Oxalate is produced by the liver in larger proportions in primary hyperoxaluria, a group of hereditary illnesses where it crystallizes and forms stones.
- Oxalate levels rise as a result of cystic fibrosis, while the amount of chemicals required to break down oxalate declines.
- GI conditions such Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, hyperparathyroidism, gout, diabetes, gastric bypass, and obesity that cause chronic diarrhea.
Contact Dr. Vijay Patel, a nephrologist in south Mumbai, if you have kidney stones that keep coming back or if you wish to prevent them from coming back.
Diet for Recurrent kidney stones
Kidney stone diet recommendations:
- Consume lots of fluids.
- Consume fewer foods with a high oxalate content.
- Consume adequate dietary calcium.
- Prevent supplemental calcium intake.
- Consume a reasonable amount of protein.
- Reduce your intake of salt.
- Avoid taking supplemental vitamin C at high doses.
Diet programs must be strictly personalized, thus it is recommended to speak with Dr. Vijay Patel, one of the best nephrologists in Mumbai.
Recurrent Kidney Stones Prevention
Prevention is always better than cure, a proverb that applies to everyone and everybody.
According to Dr. Vijay Patel, a kidney specialist in Mumbai, "since kidney stones are made up of painful episodes, every time they appear, it becomes of the utmost importance to prevent their occurrence rather than being careless and suffering through this painful event which also raises the overall cost of the treatment." Additionally, preventing these recurring events can reduce the chance of gradually decreasing renal function.
The following are a few recommendations for avoiding recurrent kidney stones:
- Plenty of water: Drinking more water will help your kidneys better clear waste from your body because water is their best friend.
- Less meat being consumed: Animal proteins are undoubtedly very important, but they also raise the risk of kidney stones by raising the level of uric acid in the urine and by lowering a molecule called urinary citrate, which prevents the formation of kidney stones.
- Be choosy with what you eat: Everyone is aware that vegetables are important for one's health, yet some vegetables may be disastrous for those who have stone problems. Oxalate, a compound that causes stones to develop, is more prevalent in some foods, including rhubarb, parsley, spinach, and beets. The best person to determine whether or not oxalate- rich foods should be avoided is a doctor.
- Calcium and magnesium snacks: Since oxalate are the main cause of kidney stones, it is best to ingest calcium and magnesium in the proportions advised for preventing stone formation because they are known to reduce oxalate levels in urine. Making sure that the diet contains at least 1000 mg of calcium and 360 to 420 mg of magnesium is crucial.
- Double check your sodium intake: Keeping your sodium consumption in check can prevent the production of kidney stones, but the salt shaker is probably not your worst adversary. Processed meals, food from restaurants, and takeout food are the main sources of sodium in the diet. Eating at home and preparing meals from scratch will help you control your sodium intake and keep it to no more than 2.3 mg per day. Avoid canned and pickled foods as well, and limit your intake of teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, and extra salt.