What are calcium kidney stones?

Calcium kidney stones are the most common kind of kidney stone. These stones are hard, solid pieces that form in the kidneys when your urine (pee) has too much calcium, oxalate, or phosphate, or when there's not enough urine or not enough substances like citrate or magnesium to stop the stones from forming.

Who is at risk of getting calcium kidney stones? 

You are more likely to develop calcium stones if you have certain risk factors, including:

• Family History: Having a family member who has had stones.
• Dehydration: Not drinking enough fluids or sweating a lot.
• Dietary Habits:
  • Eating a diet too high in:
    • Protein from meats like beef, pork, chicken, fish, and seafood.
    • Sodium (salt).
    • Added sugar, especially high-fructose corn syrup.
  • Eating a diet lacking in:
    • Calcium (from food sources).
    • Fruits and vegetables.
    • Fibre.
• Medical Conditions:
  • Hyperparathyroidism.
  • Malabsorptive disorders such as:
    • Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis).
    • Short bowel syndrome.
    • Gastric bypass surgery.
  • Diabetes.
  • Some eating disorders.
  • Rare genetic disorders like Dent Disease or Primary Hyperoxaluria.

What are the symptoms of calcium kidney stones?

The main symptom of passing a kidney stone is pain. People often describe it as the worst pain they've ever experienced.

Other signs or symptoms that you're passing a kidney stone include:

• Sharp, severe pain in your side or back.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Pain and burning when you urinate.
• Blood in your urine (called hematuria).
• Fever and/or a urinary tract infection (UTI).

What causes kidney stones?

Kidney stones often start because your urine is too concentrated. This usually happens if you're dehydrated or simply not drinking enough water.

What is the treatment for calcium kidney stones?

If you've formed a calcium kidney stone, your physician will work with you to plan the best treatment. The most suitable treatment depends on the stone's location in your urinary tract, its size, type, whether it's blocking urine flow, if it's painful, and your overall health.

• If the stone isn't causing problems, your doctor might recommend watching and waiting, using yearly X-rays or ultrasounds to monitor it.
• If the stone needs to be removed, your doctor may suggest several different procedures.

How can I prevent calcium stones?

Preventing kidney stones is different for everyone, even for the same type of stone, because various factors can cause them. A 24-hour urine collection test helps your doctor determine what is causing your stones. You and your doctor can then use this information to create a customised prevention plan.

Here are some of the most common recommendations for preventing both calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones. Your physician or a kidney stone dietitian will help you figure out which changes are right for you:

1. Take Medication

Depending on your 24-hour urine test results and how many stones you’ve had, your doctor may prescribe medication. The most common medications for calcium kidney stones are:

• Potassium citrate (to increase the pH and citrate levels in your urine).
• Thiazide diuretics like chlorthalidone or indapamide (to reduce the calcium in your urine).

2. Drink Enough Fluids

The most important step is to drink enough fluids, especially water. This will dilute your urine, making it harder for crystals to form and grow.

• Aim to drink enough so that you urinate about 2.5 litres (roughly 85 ounces) per day.
• Most people with kidney stones need to consume around 100 fluid ounces (about 12-13 cups) of fluid daily.
• All fluids "count." The best choices are water, milk, unsweetened sparkling water, diet lemonade or diet lemon-lime soda, and unsweetened coffee/tea. Avoid sugary drinks and too much juice.

3. Eat Lots of Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are rich in beneficial nutrients like potassium, fibre, and magnesium that help prevent stones.

• Aim for a minimum of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
• Consuming large amounts can boost substances like citrate, magnesium, and phytate in your urine, which makes stone formation more difficult.

4. Limit Animal Protein

Cut back on eating large portions and frequent servings of protein from foods like beef, pork, poultry, fish, and seafood.

• Substitute with plant proteins like whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds to help lower your animal protein intake.
• Your proper protein intake will be based on your 24-hour urine collection, body size, lifestyle, age, and medical history.

5. Consume Less Salt (Sodium)

Eating too much salt causes more calcium to appear in your urine and can also reduce your bone density.

• Try to consume around 2,300 mg of sodium daily.
• About 80% of the sodium we eat is already in packaged and processed foods, so check the Nutrition Facts panel to monitor your intake.

6. Ensure Sufficient Calcium from Foods

People with calcium kidney stones should not go on a low-calcium diet. Paradoxically, eating enough dietary calcium can actually prevent calcium oxalate stones.

• Dietary calcium reduces the amount of oxalate absorbed from other foods you eat.
• It also promotes bone health.
• Target 1000- 1200 mg of calcium daily, or 2-3 servings of milk products with meals.

7. Avoid Vitamin C Supplements

Your body can convert excess vitamin C to oxalate. If you have calcium oxalate stones, avoid large doses of vitamin C supplements and foods with added vitamin C.

8. Restrict Very High Sources of Oxalate

If you have calcium oxalate stones and high urine oxalate levels, only restrict very high sources of oxalate.

• A very strict low-oxalate diet is not helpful for most people and makes it difficult to eat a healthy, balanced diet.
• Eating enough calcium to reduce oxalate absorption is usually a better strategy.
• Very high oxalate foods include:
  • Spinach
  • Swiss chard
  • Almonds
  • Rhubarb
  • Beets
  • Navy beans
  • Potato with skin
• Some supplements are also very high in oxalate, such as cinnamon or turmeric supplements, and certain green "superfood" supplements or juice/smoothie "cleanses".

Consulting a registered dietitian nutritionist who specialises in kidney stones will help you understand which changes are most relevant and realistic for you.

Which diets are helpful for preventing kidney stones?

Both the Mediterranean and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating patterns have been linked to fewer kidney stones. While prevention should be customised based on your 24-hour urine test, these diets are great starting points.

Both the Mediterranean and DASH diets encourage:

• Plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Plant protein foods like beans, nuts, seeds, lentils, and tofu.
• Whole grain foods like brown rice, whole-grain bread, and pasta.
• Small amounts of red meat, processed meat, and poultry.
• Limited added sugar and salt.
• The DASH diet specifically advises 2-3 servings a day of low-fat dairy products.

How will I know if my treatment is working?

You'll know if your diet and/or medication are effective if you stop forming new kidney stones, form them less often, or if your existing stones stop growing.

You can also see changes in your 24-hour urine collection test, which measures your risk of developing more stones. Your physician should order this test at least annually to check if your prevention plan is working.

What Should I my doctor?

To get the best care, consider asking your doctor these questions:

• What kind of kidney stone do I have (or do you suspect I have)?
• What do you suspect led to my kidney stones?
• Can I get a 24-hour urine test to find out why I am making kidney stones?
• When do I next need imaging of my kidneys (like an ultrasound, X-ray, or CT scan)?
• What can I do to prevent additional kidney stones?
• What should I do if I pass another stone?
• Can I be referred to see a kidney stone registered dietitian?

Why choose Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Calcium stones Treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital is one of the best hospital for Calcium Stones treatment in Lucknow. Our expert team of urologists has extensive experience in managing all types of kidney stones using modern, minimally invasive techniques for faster recovery and minimal discomfort. We adhere to international infection control standards and use the latest diagnostic tools for precise evaluation. At Tender Palm, we focus on patient-centric care by offering customized treatment plans, dietary guidance, and preventive measures to reduce the chances of recurrence. With transparent pricing and affordable packages, we ensure that every patient receives high-quality, and effective urology care.

To seek an Expert Consultation for Calcium stones Treatment in Lucknow, India:

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

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