Take Action Against Kidney Stones | Tennessee Valley Urology Center

According to the National Kidney Foundation, more than half a million Americans go to the emergency room each year because of kidney stone issues. In fact, around one in 10 people will experience a kidney stone at some point in their lifetime.

But though they’re common, kidney stones aren’t inevitable. Our team at Tennessee Valley Urology Center wants to share some insight about what they are—and how you can prevent them.

What Are Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones occur when dissolved minerals build up on the inner lining of the kidneys. While some kidney stones can pass through the urine without even being noticed, other stones can cause extreme pain.

Symptoms of kidney stones include:

  • Fever
  • Blood in urine
  • Pain in the back, belly or side
  • Chills
  • Cloudy urine
  • Urgent need to urinate
  • Nausea
  • Smelly urine
  • Vomiting

While it is recommended that people who have kidney stones drink a lot of water and take pain relievers in order to manage the pain, medical therapy and prescription medications may be given in order to help dissolve and treat your kidney stones.

Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention if you feel you might be experiencing the symptoms of kidney stones.

Can Kidney Stones Be Prevented?

To prevent kidney stones, you need to take steps to avoid mineral backup in the body. Do that by:

  • Making sure you drink plenty of water. You can also include citrus beverages like orange juice and lemonade here and there, as citrate has been shown to block kidney stone formation.

  • Making sure you get enough calcium. When you do not have enough calcium in your diet, your body’s oxalate levels may rise, which can then lead to kidney stones.

  • Reducing your sodium intake. When you follow a high-sodium diet, you are increasing the amount of calcium in your urine, which, again, can lead to the formation of kidney stones. Therefore, try to reduce your sodium intake so that you cannot only reduce your risk of kidney stones but you can also help improve your blood pressure and heart health!

  • Drinking plenty of water. Staying properly hydrated is key to the prevention of kidney stones.

Do you think you might be experiencing symptoms of a kidney stone? Make an appointment with Tennessee Valley Urology Center today. We are here to help!