Preventing and managing urinary stones: Easy lifestyle changes to keep urinary stones away

How to prevent urinary stones: Drinking enough water is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent urinary stones. Aim for at least 3 liters of water daily to keep your urine diluted and prevent the formation of crystals (Image: Canva)

Do you experience a sharp pain in your back or lower abdomen that comes and goes, a persistent urge to urinate, or a burning sensation when you do? Do you notice blood in your urine or feel nauseated without an apparent reason? These could be the signs of urinary stones, a condition that can range from mildly uncomfortable to intensely painful.

Urinary stones, or urolithiasis, are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form in the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. These stones develop when the concentration of certain substances in the urine becomes too high, leading to crystal formation.

The exact causes of urinary stones remain unclear, says Dr Amrendra Pathak, Vice-Chairperson, Urology, Sir Gangaram Hospital, Delhi. “There are many myths about managing urinary stones, including numerous diet charts and remedies that are hard to follow and lack solid scientific proof. However, medical research shows that simple lifestyle changes and dietary modifications can help reduce the risk of developing urinary stones,” he adds.

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Here are a few tips to prevent and manage urinary stones, suggested by Dr Pathak:

Preventive measures:

Sufficient hydration: Drinking enough water is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent urinary stones. Aim for at least 3 liters of water daily to keep your urine diluted and prevent the formation of crystals. Keep a water bottle and sip during the day to maintain proper hydration levels.

Watch your salt: High salt consumption increases calcium levels in the urine, which promotes stone formation. Reducing salt in your diet can help lower this risk. Instead of using table salt excessively, you can season your food with herbs and spices like basil or oregano to improve flavour without adding sodium.

Citrus fruits: Eat fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes that contain citric acid. It helps prevent the clumping of crystals that form stones. Drinking a glass of lemon water in the morning or adding oranges to your daily snack routine can be a simple way to add these fruits to your diet.

Also read | The surprising risks of holding urine, how it can cause kidney stones and infections

Unprocessed wheat flour: It includes bran, and binds calcium in the gut and reduces its absorption, lowering the risk of stone formation. Choose whole wheat bread or chapati made from unprocessed flour instead of refined alternatives. It can be a small but impactful dietary change.

A balanced diet: It plays a vital role in preventing stones. Avoid oxalate-rich foods like spinach and nuts, and limit excessive protein consumption. Replace spinach salads with lettuce-based ones or alternate meat-heavy meals with plant-based options  as these can help maintain a balanced intake.

Managing small stones: Small stones, typically 5 mm or less, can often pass naturally with increased water intake. For slightly larger stones (6-8 mm), medications like alpha blockers may be prescribed to relax the ureters and facilitate their passage. For example, someone with a 4 mm kidney stone might resolve their condition by drinking more fluids daily and monitoring their symptoms without needing invasive treatment.

Large stones, advanced treatments: When stones are too large to pass naturally, medical interventions become necessary. For stones up to 10 mm, ESWL (Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy) uses sound waves to break them into smaller fragments. For stones in the middle or lower ureter, a URS (Ureterorenoscope), either semi-rigid or flexible, is used to remove or fragment stones, sometimes with the help of a laser. Larger stones in the kidney are managed with PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy), a minimally invasive procedure requiring short hospitalisation.

Also read | Diet tips to prevent kidney stones, lower uric acid levels

Specific treatments: Certain types of stones require specific treatments. Uric acid stones, for example, can often be dissolved by alkalising the urine with baking soda or prescribed agents. Bladder stones, on the other hand, are removed through endoscopic procedures. For instance, a person with a bladder stone might have it treated on a day-care basis with minimal recovery time.

Recurrent stone evaluation: For those who experience recurrent stones or develop them at a younger age, metabolic evaluations are essential to identify underlying causes. A patient with recurring calcium stones might undergo tests to check for hypercalciuria or other metabolic disorders.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.