Tips for the non-pharmacological treatment of kidney stones

The presence of stones in the kidneys are produced by multiple factors: environmental, metabolic and genetic. These stones cause pain and complications such as obstruction and kidney failure.

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After a painful event of renal colic or surgical intervention to remove a stone, the patient has a strong motivation not to have renal colic again.

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The treatment depends on the nature and composition of the stone, being the most frequent those of calcium oxalate in 90% of the population.

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The medical treatment of this disease is preferably multidisciplinary and involves urologists, nephrologists, radiologists, biologists and nutritionists.

The pharmacological treatment is based on the administration of potassium citrate and thiazide diuretics to alkalize the urine and decrease the excretion of urinary calcium.

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There is a high rate of recurrence (around 50% in 5 to 10 years). Individualized secondary prevention measures are needed. Recommendations should take into account the identified risk factors and any metabolic abnormalities.

That is why I give you some important tips for secondary treatment and prevent recurrences of kidney stones:

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1-Hydrotherapy, drink water not only when thirsty, take several times a day without thirst, as one more treatment. It is recommended between 2.5 to 3 liters of water daily.

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2-You have to eat many fruits because they have high content of potassium citrate.

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3-Decrease the consumption of salt in the diet, therefore eliminate foods rich in salt, sausages, sauces, canned, commercial condiments, junk food.

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4-Avoid the consumption of red meat in excess, eat red meat only once a week as they generate more acid excretion in the urine. Increase the intake of poultry and fish.

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5-Decrease the consumption of green vegetables as they are rich in oxalate and increase the formation of stones in patients with this disease.

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6-Alert: do not eliminate dairy, previously recommended not to consume them because of the high calcium content but now it is known that can not be eliminated only decrease consumption, eat only two dairy per day. The recommended cheeses are ricotta, mozzarella, pasteurized and buffalo; because it has low salt content.

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7-Prohibited to consume the following drinks: Nestea, soft drinks, malt.

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8-Forbidden to eat fried foods.

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