Kidney Stones Can Put Kidney Function at Risk
11/8/2021
Physician advises seeking timely medical care, learning prevention
MILTON, Fla. – Sharp pains in the back, side, lower abdomen, groin, or blood in urine, may be a sign of a kidney stone – a common condition on the rise. When left untreated, kidney stones can cause serious complications in addition to severe pain. Andrew Horowitz, M.D., a urologist with Santa Rosa Medical Group (SRMG), wants patients to know timely treatment can prevent permanent damage.
“Kidney stones can be extremely painful, and patients shouldn’t feel like they can’t get help. We have methods to manage the pain and eliminate the stones,” said Horowitz, M.D. “The worst thing to do is to ignore it because then it can get worse.”
While a small kidney stone may pass through the urinary tract on its own, causing little or no pain or other symptoms, a larger kidney stone may get stuck along the way and block the flow of urine. If untreated, kidney stones can cause blood in the urine, severe pain, urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney infections and loss of kidney function.
The National Kidney Foundation reports that over half a million people go to emergency rooms for kidney stone problems every year. And it is estimated that one in ten people will have a kidney stone at some time in their lives.
Those with a family history of kidney stones are more likely to develop them. You are also more likely to develop kidney stones again if you’ve had them once, have high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity or if you don’t drink enough liquids.
“For some patients, kidney stones are preventable with a few habit changes,” said Horowitz. “But these changes shouldn’t replace proper medical care for current or ongoing problems.”
Four dietary tips from the National Kidney Foundation can help you prevent painful kidney stones:
- Drinking plenty of fluids when exercising and sweating. Sweat water loss leads to less urine production, allowing stone-causing minerals to settle and bond in the kidneys and urinary tract.
- Eating and drinking calcium and oxalate-rich foods together during a meal make it likely they will bind to one another in the stomach and intestines before the kidneys begin processing. High levels of oxalate are in peanuts, rhubarb, spinach, beets, chocolate and sweet potatoes.
- Maintaining calcium intake but cutting back on sodium. A diet low in calcium increases your risk of developing kidney stones.
- Eating more fruits and vegetables and less animal-based protein can help decrease urine acidity, which can reduce the chance of stone formation.
If you need help finding a primary care physician, visit SantaRosaMedicalGroup.com to be connected with one of Santa Rosa Medical Group’s qualified family medicine providers.
SOURCES
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases:
National Kidney Foundation:
Back