Kidney stones are hard deposits made inside the kidney and mainly composed of minerals and salts. These depositions may be formed and can infect any part of the urinary tract from kidneys to the urinary bladder. The stones may be small and pass unnoticed through the urinary tract but some stones can grow to the size of a golf ball while keeping their sharp, crystalline structure. Due to their sharp structure and large size, these can cause infection and obstructions leading to symptoms of pain and urinary obstruction, in which case you may need to consult a nephrologist. To find and consult the best Nephrologist in Karachi, Lahore or other cities of Pakistan, log on to Marham-find a doctor.
Causes
Major causes of kidney stones are following
- Less consumption of water
- More usage of specific food items
Foods That May Cause Kidney Stones
As mentioned above there are some specific foods that are responsible for kidney stone formation. So it is necessary to know about these. Some of these foods are listed below which can be responsible for kidney stone formation.
Excessive Caffeine
Too much consumption of caffeine can harm the kidneys and lead to the formation of kidney stones as it enhances the calcium levels in the urine. It is such a harmful substance that it may cause kidney failure due to its extra stimulant qualities that are the reason for organ exhaustion. The main sources of caffeine are
- Coffee
- Tea
- Soda
Artificial Sweetener
Artificial sweetener is strongly recommended as an alternative to sugar to control the calories. However, these cutting calorie substances are really not friendly for the kidney as it is recently reported that long-term consumption of artificial sweetener may cause kidney stone formation. So it’s best to use honey, stevia or agave instead of artificial sweetener.
Related: Kidney Stones and their most advanced treatments available in Pakistan
Meat
High consumption of animal proteins is also associated with an elevated risk of organ damage and kidney stones formation. It happens because protein waste is difficult to eliminate from the body efficiently. Meat is also enriched with uric acid which is another major reason for kidney stones.
Salt
A healthy amount of sodium, calcium and other salts in the diet is vital to maintaining healthy fluid levels. However, much high consumption of these salts encourages the stone formation inside the kidney as excess sodium isn’t flushed out of the body putting the person’s kidneys and blood pressure at high risk.
Carbonated Drinks
Carbonated drinks are also responsible for developing kidney stones and even put you at risk for kidney disease. These drinks are available as follows
- Soda
- Energy drinks
- Bottled Juices
Instead of these harmful carbonated drinks, one should use any of the following to get energy instantly.
- Frozen berries
- Slices of citrus
- A splash of natural cranberry or pomegranate juice.
- Leafy Greens:
Calcium oxalate consumption is associated with kidney stone development. And the persons who exhibit higher levels of this chemical compound in their urine are more vulnerable to get stones. The leafy greens vegetables are the main source of calcium oxalate such as
- Spinach
- Okra
- Swiss chard.
- Dairy Foods:
Dairy products are considered healthy because they are high in calcium content and important for strong bones. But it is not a friend for those who are prone to kidney stones. Actually, almost all dairy products increase the excretion of calcium in the urine which makes waste elimination difficult and encourages the formation of kidney stones.
Processed Foods
Most processed foods contain genetically modified ingredients such as
- Corn
- Soy
- Rice
- Canola
These genetically modified products impair healthy kidney, liver function and encourage kidney stones development.
