Kidney stones: can they be prevented?

They affect 6 to 9 percent of the population, especially males between 20 and 40 years old. The causes have not yet been fully clarified, but a little prevention does not hurt.

We know how they are made and how they are formed, but why is still largely unknown. Those pebbles that develop inside the urinary tract, despite having very small dimensions, can give rise to incredible pain.

Avoid stress, dehydration and heat

It is especially in summer that stress, heat, fatigue and nagging commitments can promote the formation of kidney stones.

In fact, it is at this time of year that most hospital admissions for renal colic occur.

The fault is excessive sweating: losing large amounts of fluids reduces the formation of urine and consequently there is, in the urine itself, greater concentration and stagnation of substances that can precipitate giving rise to stones.

For the same reason it is therefore essential to increase the supply of water to the body. Attention must be paid to this especially by those who are subjected to stress and follow a disordered diet.

Beware of meat and salt

It has been observed that if you exceed with steaks, chops & Co you increase the specific urinary gravity and especially the concentration of oxalates in the urine.

This leads to an increased risk of kidney stones. It is therefore necessary to limit meat, fish and eggs in one’s diet.

Even those who habitfully add too much table salt to the dish run a higher risk.

So, in addition to going easy with the salt shaker, you have to pay attention to those foods that are already rich in salt, such as canned meat, canned tuna, anchovies, cold cuts and peanuts.

And what about fruits and vegetables? You know, they do well. All nutritionists say you should consume at least five servings a day.

Yet, it has been observed that those who have had an episode of calcium oxalate stones should limit radicchio, beets, rhubarb, parsley and chives, since they contain a lot of oxalic acid.

Dairy products and tap water exonerated

Finally, milk and cheese: that the calcium contained in dairy products is responsible for kidney stones is a popular belief that dies hard.

Several researches have shown, on the contrary, that calcium should be maintained in the diet, even after discovering the stones.

Green light therefore to milk, yogurt and cheese, but without exaggerating. And as long as you drink at least two liters of water a day.

If the “mayor’s” water is full of limestone it is better not to drink it because it makes the calculations come. How many times have we heard that? Too bad it’s all fake.

A piece of parmesan contains more calcium than 100 liters of tap water. As calcareous as it may be.