Kidney stones are no fun! These are hard mineral deposits (stones) that form inside your kidneys that cause excruciating pain when they pass through your urinary tract.
As many as 12% of people in the UK are affected by kidney stones. And once you’ve had one kidney stone, there’s a 50% chance that you will have recurring kidney stones.
If you have symptoms like difficulty in passing urine or pain in the pelvic region, your GP will likely prescribe a kidney function test to confirm kidney stones. Visit Anna Pharmacy in South London to take your kidney function test in Hackbridge, Wallington, Croydon, or Sutton.
There’s no guaranteed way to prevent kidney stones. However, with a combination of lifestyle and diet changes (and possibly some medications) you can reduce your risk of developing kidney stones.
Here’s how to avoid them and treat them safely.
How to Prevent Kidney Stones
· Making simple changes to your current diet and lifestyle plan may go a long way toward preventing kidney stones.
· Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
· Eat more calcium-rich foods
· Reduce sodium in your daily diet
· Eat fewer oxalate-rich foods
· Eat less animal protein
· Avoid vitamin C supplements
· Doctor prescribed medication to prevent recurring kidney stones
· Talk to your doctor about the medications you’re currently taking that may cause kidney stones
How to Treat Kidney Stones Safely
Treatment of kidney stones depends on the type, how bad it is, and the amount of time you have had symptoms. There are a variety of treatments available, your doctor will decide what is best for you.
Option #1 – Wait for the stone to pass by itself
It is more likely that smaller kidney stones will pass naturally. It is safe to wait up to six weeks if there is no infection, manageable pain, the kidney is not blocked, and the stone is small enough to pass by itself.
Option #2 – Medication
Certain medications relax the ureter, making it easier for the stone to pass.
Option #3 – Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL) Surgery
Kidney stones can painlessly and easily be removed surgically with Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL) Surgery if they are causing repeated urinary infections, or if they are blocking the flow of urine from the kidney.
Book an appointment today at Anna Pharmacy for your kidney function blood test in Croydon, Hackbridge, Wallington, or Sutton. We have everything you need to manage pain as you wait for kidney stones to pass.