Find out what could be causing your kidney stones and ways to prevent them.
If you’ve ever had kidney stones before then you certainly know just how painful they can be. Our Milford, MA, urologist Dr. Jeffrey Steinberg sees kidney stones most often in people between the ages of 30 to 60 years old. Kidney stones can impact both men and women, with men having a slighter higher chance of developing kidney stones. By learning the possible causes of kidney stones you may be able to reduce your risk. Here are some ways to lessen your chances of developing painful kidney stones,
Sweat Less
Everything from intense outdoor exercise in the heat to relaxing in a sauna may provide your body with a host of great benefits. However, if you are prone to kidney stones then these habits could be a contributing factor. When you sweat you lose water, which means you urinate less. This provides a more hospitable environment for minerals to bond to the kidneys to create stones.
While we’re not saying don't enjoy the occasional sauna session or outdoor run, do make sure that you are getting enough water and staying hydrated throughout the day to replenish the water you lose.
Know When to Eat Oxalate-Rich Foods
Some people might tell you to avoid foods containing oxalates. However, there are many oxalate-rich fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and other healthy foods that can provide your body with a lot of nourishment that you probably shouldn’t just remove from your diet completely. While it’s true that kidney stones form when oxalate binds to calcium, you should eat or drink your oxalate or calcium-rich foods during mealtimes, so that they are less likely to bind together.
Lose Excess Weight
People who are overweight or obese are also more likely to deal with kidney stones. People who are obese are also more likely to have higher calcium, oxalate, and urate levels in their bodies. This risk goes up even further if someone who is obese or overweight also has diabetes. If you are overweight or obese, eating a healthier diet and getting regular exercise to drop the weight could reduce your risk for kidney stones.
Know Your Medications
If you’ve been dealing with the pain of frequent or recurring kidney stones, our Milford, MA, urologist will also take a look at the types of medications you are taking. Both over-the-counter and prescription medications such as antacids, decongestants, steroids, and antibiotics could lead to the formation of kidney stones.
If you are concerned about kidney stones, you can always talk with our urologist about ways to prevent them from happening to you. There are simple dietary changes you can make to reduce your risk. We can also pinpoint other lifestyle and risk factors to find solutions that can help prevent kidney stones from forming.
If you think you might be dealing with kidney stone pain in Milford, MA, our urologist Dr. Steinberg and the team at Urology Specialists of Milford are here to help. Call us today at (508) 473-6333 if you are experiencing symptoms of kidney stones.