As per recent research, it has been proved that males are more at risk of facing kidney stones than women. 11% of males face kidney stones, on the other hand, only 9% of females go through this issue. It’s crucial to understand the different types of kidney stones that could badly affect your body condition. These kidney stones can cause severe pain and discomfort. When you can recognize them, you can easily find effective ways to manage and prevent them. In this blog, we are going to cover all 4 types and the best way to get rid of kidney stones.
4 Types of Kidney Stones
1. Calcium Stones
The most common type of kidney stones that are faced is calcium stones. Almost 70–80% of kidney stones are calcium stones, which may also include calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones. High levels of calcium in the urine could be caused due to many dietary factors and metabolic disorders that lead to these calcium stones. Maintain the intake of dietary calcium and avoid foods such as spinach, nuts, and tea that contain high-oxalate content.
Treatment
Increasing fluid intake can eventually dislodge the stone. It is also crucial to take medications to prevent any kind of stone from forming. Utilizing shock wave lithotripsy could be highly beneficial for breaking down stones into smaller pieces. If you are thinking of how to prevent kidney stones or calcium stones, then you might limit yourself to sodium and animal protein.
Read More: Calcium Oxalate Stones: Major Symptoms and Signs
2. Uric Acid Stones
When your urine becomes too acidic, your kidney starts to form uric acid stones. Almost 5%-10% of kidney stones are uric acid stones. It may occur due to excessive intake of a high-protein diet, dehydration, or medical conditions. Kidney stones treatment is possible if you are ready to follow a few measures.
Treatment
Prevent kidney stones of these types by keeping yourself well-hydrated and limited to high-protein foods. To stop uric acidic stones, it’s crucial to increase the intake of fluids. Allopurinol may also be helpful to reduce the uric acid level effectively. Ensure you are monitoring your urine PH, to keep yourself updated about your body hydration level.
3. Struvite Stones
Struvite stones are not much common kidney stones. They occur due to urinary tract infection (UTI). Around 10–15% of kidney stones are formed due to this infection. When there are bacteria present in the urinary system, it ends up producing ammonia, which leads to these stones formation.
Treatment
The best way to get rid of kidney stones like struvite stones lies in antibiotics. If required percutaneous nephrolithotomy is used to remove large stones. To prevent issues related to your urinary tract, it is really important to manage it. Try to keep yourself hygienic and hydrated to avoid risks of infection.
4. Cystine Stones
One of the rarest kidney stones that are formed are cystine stones. Only 1–2% of kidney stones are cystine stones. However, these can be the result of a genetic disorder also known as cystinuria. When amino acid has been leaked into the urine, it starts the formation of these types of stones.
Treatment
Every kidney stone treatment lies in fluids, especially water. It helps in diluting the urine and reducing the cysteine concentration. It is crucial to consult with the right doctors who provide the medication to improve the urinary tract. Reducing salt and protein intake also makes a great impact on your stones prevention and treatment efforts.
Read More: Dietary Changes That May Help Prevent the Recurrence of Kidney Stones
Conclusion
By understanding different types of kidney stones, you can find the best way to treat them. Consulting with a reputable health care center could eventually help in reducing the risk of developing kidney stones. Remember, kidney stones prevention and treatment is completely in your hands, manage your kidney health by taking the right advice.
