Kidney stones are diseases that occur when minerals in the urine, such as calcium or uric acid, are not completely dissolved but deposit and stick together in the kidneys, forming solid stones. When stones grow larger or move in the urinary tract, patients may experience severe pain.
This condition is more common in men than women, especially in adult and middle-aged people. According to experts, this difference is mainly related to endocrine factors and living habits such as eating a lot of salt, consuming a lot of red meat or not drinking enough water.
Dr. Kishan, an expert in Nephrology at Aster CMI Hospital (India) said: "Nephrocrocroccals form when urine becomes too concentrated. When the body is not provided with enough fluid or when the concentration of minerals in urine increases, small crystals will condense and gradually develop into stones.
Why are men at higher risk?
Eat more salt and animal protein: Men often eat more red meat, processed foods and salty dishes than women. High salt levels cause the body to excrete more calcium into the urine, while red meat increases uric acid. When the concentration of calcium and uric acid in the urine increases, they easily crystallize and form kidney stones.
Dehydration: Many men have a habit of delaying drinking water when working or exercising. In hot climates, the body loses water quickly through sweat, causing urine to concentrate, a favorable environment for mineral crystallization.
Hormonal factors: Testosterone can increase the production of oxalate, a compound involved in the formation of stones. Meanwhile, postmenopausal women are believed to have certain protection from the hormone estrogen, which helps reduce this risk.
Weight and sedentary lifestyle: Overweight, obesity and sedentary lifestyle can change the chemical composition of urine, thereby increasing the risk of kidney stones.
Signs of kidney stones
Kidney stones may not cause symptoms for a long time and only appear when the stones begin to move in the urinary tract. At that time, patients may experience:
Severe pain in the lower back or hip
Pain, painful urination
Bloody urine
Nausea, vomiting
Frequent urination or feeling of continuous urinary urge
Pain caused by kidney stones often appears suddenly and very intensely, requiring early examination.
How to prevent?
According to Dr. Kishan, drinking enough water is the most important measure. Clear or pale yellow urine is a sign that the body is provided with enough water. In addition, salt intake should be reduced, red meat should be limited, and plant protein sources should be balanced. Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly also helps improve metabolism and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Notes
Men are more prone to kidney stones due to a combination of a high-salt diet, low water intake habits, hormonal factors, and sedentary lifestyle. However, changing daily habits such as drinking enough water, eating regularly, and exercising regularly can significantly reduce the risk of disease and recurrence.
