Kidney stones are common around the world; it is estimated that up to 10 percent of the global population will suffer from this extremely painful condition at some point in their lives. It is usually easy to treat, but you should always check with a doctor, because this may be indicative of more severe problems.
Kidney stones are deposits of mineral or organic substances in the kidneys; they can be minuscule, or they can grow to be pea-sized or even bigger. Most victims are men from twenty to forty years old; the condition is often congenital, so if you're a man approaching middle age and several of your uncles have had them, you may be at risk. Small stones can go undetected for years, without displaying any symptoms, but when they grow large enough to block the passage of urine through the ureter (a tube that allows the passage of urine from each kidney to the bladder), then you will feel pain, especially during urination. Other symptoms include blood in the urine, nausea, chills and fever, and exhaustion.
Diet is a primary factor in the likelihood of developing kidney stones. First of all, drink lots of water. If you drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day, your risk of developing kidney stones will diminish. If drinking all that water is a dismaying prospect, you can substitute other beverages that are caffeine-free and nonalcoholic, but some kinds of decaffeinated tea may have other undesirable effects. Oxalates, for instance, should be avoided as much as possible if you believe you are vulnerable to kidney stones, and these may be present in decaffeinated tea, as well as in some fruits and vegetables. (Don't worry about avoiding fruits and vegetables! Oxalates are present in only certain varieties in significant quantities, including sorrel, rhubarb, buckwheat, beets, and star fruit.)
Because the body converts vitamin C to oxalates, high doses of vitamin C should be avoided. Get your vitamin C from foods and drinks, like citrus, rather than from vitamin supplements. You need at least 90 milligrams of vitamin C each day, and you won't run into problems with oxalates until you're consuming 3,000 milligrams daily. Likewise, protein consumption can accelerate the formation of uric acid and calcium in the urine, eventually leading to kidney stones. Moderate your meat intake -- a good idea regardless of your susceptibility to kidney stones.
There are also some foods that you should eat. Fiber helps lower the levels of calcium and oxalate in your urine; bran flakes are a good way to get fiber. And whole-wheat bread contains magnesium, a mineral that counteracts the formation of stones in your kidneys. Studies have shown that people who consume high levels of magnesium tend to avoid getting stones altogether.
The nettle leaf has long been known to promote urination; nettles keep water flowing through the kidneys, thus preventing the formation of crystals and flushing the kidneys of bacteria. Nettles can also help maintain a balance of electrolytes in the urine. You can make nettle leaf tea by mixing 1 or 2 tablespoons of dried nettle leaf with 1 cup of hot water, letting the tea steep for 15 minutes. Store your dried nettle leaf in an airtight container, away from light and heat; you can grow your own, or perhaps source it through a health food store.
Vitamin A is good for healthy kidneys, and one of the best sources of vitamin A is carrots. One carrot can provide twice the daily requirement of this vitamin. Other sources of vitamin A include sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkins, and broccoli. Likewise, vitamin B6 is known to combat the formation of kidney stones. Lean chicken is a good source of this essential vitamin.
Finally, you should monitor yourself to prevent this condition. Healthy people pass at least 2 liters of urine each day; it may be awkward, but if you can urinate into a bottle and measure your outtake, you might determine whether your urinary system is functioning normally. And if you are passing a kidney stone, try to catch it by urinating through a mesh strainer. If your doctor can analyze the stone's content, he or she may be able to determine what caused it and offer firm advice on how to prevent another one from forming.
Kidney stones can be at best annoying and at worst excruciatingly painful. If you take these steps, you'll stand a better chance of avoiding them.