kidney stones are often considered a temporary health problem. However, experts say that when this condition returns many times, it is rarely a random coincidence but an important warning sign that the body is experiencing imbalances that need to be detected and intervened early.
According to Dr. Sheel Bhadra Jain, a kidney and kidney transplant specialist at CK Birla Hospital ( Jaipur, India), recurring kidney stones should not be taken lightly. When stones appear repeatedly, the body is sending signals about problems related to lifestyle, nutrition or mineral metabolism.
Why does kidney stone return?
kidney stones can form one time due to temporary dehydration or a short-term unreasonable diet. However, recurring stones often show long-term risk factors.
According to Dr. Jain, not drinking enough water is the most common cause. When the body lacks water, urine becomes thick, creating conditions for minerals to crystallize and form stones.
In addition, diet also plays an important role:
Eating too much salt increases calcium excretion through urine
Foods rich in oxalates such as spinach, nuts, and chocolate increase the risk of calcium oxalate stones
Consuming a lot of animal protein can increase uric acid, leading to uric acid stones
Many people think kidney stones only happen once, but if they dont find and treat the cause, the risk of recurrence is very high, says Dr. Jain. In addition, determining the type of stone is also very important. kidney stones can be made from calcium oxalat, calcium phosphat, uric acid or other ingredients. Each type of stone requires different treatment and prevention directions.
Do lifestyle changes help reduce the risk of kidney stones?
According to experts, most cases of recurrent kidney stones can be prevented with simple but sustainable lifestyle changes.
Important measures include:
Drink enough water so that urine is pale yellow or almost clear
Reduce salt intake in portion sizes
Supplement calcium from natural foods instead of cutting it down completely
Limit foods rich in oxalates if there is a high risk
Maintain a reasonable weight
Being overweight and obese has been shown to increase the risk of kidney stones due to the impact on urine composition. According to Dr. Jain, small changes in your daily routine can make a big difference.
In some cases, lifestyle changes are not enough. At that time, treatment drugs can be prescribed to reduce calcium or uric acid levels in the urine, helping to prevent stone formation from returning.
The importance of early treatment of kidney stones
kidney stones are not only painful but can also lead to many serious complications such as infections, urinary tract obstruction and kidney dysfunction damage. If stones return many times without proper treatment, the risk of impaired kidney function will increase significantly.
Dr. Jain emphasizes that recurring kidney stones are not a temporary problem. Early examination with a kidney specialist helps determine the root cause, thereby preventing complications and avoiding emergency hospitalization due to severe kidney infections.
