Kidney stones: too much salt and too little water raise the risk, 3 to 4 litres of water daily advised
Excess salt, imbalanced urine chemistry, heredity and low water intake can lead to kidney stones, and drinking 3 to 4 litres of water a day is advised.
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Drinking plenty of water, along with a varied diet, is advised to keep the kidneys healthy. Water is said to help improve health and flush toxins out of the body through urine. If the body's water level is not right, kidney ailments can set in.
Kidney stones are not formed only by drinking too little water. They also form when certain substances in the urine rise far above normal levels. Once small crystals form, symptoms such as abdominal pain, a burning sensation while passing urine, vomiting and nausea begin to appear. It is said that a calcium oxalate stone, with the right treatment, dissolves and passes out through urine.
Diet, the chemical balance of urine, heredity and the amount of water in the body all affect kidney health. Symptoms of kidney stones should therefore never be ignored, and treatment should be taken in time. When the balance of calcium, oxalate and other substances in the urine is disturbed, or when there is too much salt in the diet, heredity plays a part or the body's water level falls, small pits form in the kidney. Over time these grow larger and affect overall health.
Oxalate occurs naturally in plant-based foods. Spinach, beetroot, dry fruits, chocolate, tea and some other plant-based items contain high amounts of it. It is said that oxalate-rich foods should be eaten only in the quantity the body needs. If calcium oxalate stones recur, they should not be ignored and treatment should be taken in time.
When salt or sodium in the diet is high, the amount of calcium passed out in urine increases and the risk of kidney stones begins to rise. Excess salt should therefore be avoided. Salt seriously affects not just the kidneys but overall health. Citrus fruits such as lemon and orange contain substances that form crystals in urine. Eating too much mutton, fish or other meat also upsets the chemical balance of urine.
The body needs plenty of water to stay hydrated and clean. Drinking enough water helps prevent kidney stones. Drinking 3 to 4 litres of water through the day is therefore described as necessary, and the required amount of water helps a kidney stone pass out through urine.
This information is for general awareness only and does not claim any treatment. Consult your doctor before trying any remedy.
