Of the many diseases that can attack the kidneys, kidney stones are one that must be watched out for. This disease occurs when there is the formation of hard material (such as stones) originating from minerals and salts in the kidneys. So, where exactly do these stones cause problems? Well, these kidney stones can occur along the urinary tract. Starting from the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
Kidney stones are formed from waste in the blood. Well, in the end, this waste can form crystals and accumulate in the kidneys. What’s more worrying is that this material can become harder and resemble stones over time. So, what causes kidney stones? Are there any lifestyles that can increase the risk of kidney stones?
Lifestyle Patterns That Increase the Risk of Kidney Stones
These kidney stones are formed when urine contains more crystal-forming substances than the fluid in the urine. The formation of these stones can also occur when the body lacks substances that can prevent stones from sticking together. Well, this condition can increase the risk of kidney stones forming.
So what kind of lifestyle can increase the risk of kidney stones?
- Ignoring the Body’s Fluid Needs
Lack of fluid intake is the main factor in the formation of kidney stones. As explained above, kidney stones are formed when urine contains more crystal-forming substances than fluids in urine. Remember, dehydration is the body’s biggest enemy, including the kidneys. In conclusion, consuming little fluid can increase the risk of developing kidney stones. - Wrong Diet
Wrong diet can also be a cause of kidney stones. For example, consuming foods that are rich in protein, salt, or sugar can increase the risk of kidney stones. Not only that, foods that can cause high uric acid must also be avoided.
Foods like those above can make the kidneys work extra hard to filter them, thus increasing the risk of kidney stones. - Habits That Trigger Obesity
Excess weight or a large body mass index with a large waist size is associated with an increased risk of kidney stones. So, what are the things that can trigger obesity? There are a number of triggers. Starting from wrong eating habits, rarely exercising, not controlling weight, not getting enough or too much sleep, to overeating.
Apart from the three things above, there are also other causes of kidney stones that you should be aware of, namely:
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- Digestive problems or post-operative digestive organ problems.
- A family history of kidney stones, or having had kidney stones before.
- Having certain medical conditions, such as urinary tract infections or hyperparathyroidism.
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Various Symptoms That Can Arise
Kidney stone symptoms actually vary. When kidney stones are small, generally symptoms will not be felt. Because the stone can exit the body naturally through the ureter easily. The ureter is a channel that connects the kidney to the bladder. However, it is a different story if the kidney stone is larger than the diameter of the ureter. This condition can cause irritation, even injury. This is what causes urine to sometimes contain blood.
In addition to irritating the ureter, kidney stones can also get stuck in the ureter or urethra (the final channel for urine disposal), so that bacteria accumulate which causes swelling due to infection. The symptoms felt are pain in the waist, lower abdomen or side, and groin can also be accompanied by nausea. Meanwhile, if a kidney stone sufferer experiences an infection, the symptoms felt are urine that looks cloudy and smells bad, weakness, shivering, and high fever.
Want to know more about the above problems? Or have other health complaints? You can ask your trusted doctor directly.
