Did you know? Around 1 million Americans get kidney stones each year. Even though many people get them, it doesn’t make the pain that kidney stones cause any easier to deal with. They can cause lots of discomfort, and that discomfort can last for up to a month or more.

Our AFC Urgent Care Boulder team highlights what you need to know about kidney stones and what you can do to prevent them below, so keep reading.

What Are Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones are hard objects that are made up of chemicals found in urine, like uric acid and calcium. Many types of bodily wastes dissolve in urine, and when there’s too much waste in too little urine, crystals begin to form.

Those crystals then attract more waste, which ultimately ends up becoming a kidney stone that will need to be passed out of the urinary system. We’ve listed the most common kidney stone symptoms below.

Common Kidney Stone Symptoms

• Severe pain on either side of your lower back
• More vague pain or stomach ache that doesn’t go away
• Blood in the urine
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fever and chills
• Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy

Is it Possible to Prevent Kidney Stones?

It is, but like other medical issues, kidney stone prevention methods aren’t 100% effective. Some risk factors, such as family history, dehydration and diet, can increase the chance of kidney stones.

If kidney stones run in your family or you’re over 30, make sure you’re using the prevention strategies we’ve outlined below to improve your kidney health!

Ways to Prevent Kidney Stones

• Stay adequately hydrated. Drinking lots of water helps the urinary system filter out waste and lower the risk of developing crystals that turn into kidney stones.
• Eat fewer oxalate-rich foods. Oxalates can be bad for the urinary system, due to the fact that they can bind to minerals in the gut and prevent the body from absorbing them. This, in turn, can cause kidney stones. If you are more susceptible to urinary tract problems, consider limiting foods rich in oxalates. These include rhubarb, beets, okra, spinach, Swiss chard, sweet potatoes, nuts, tea, chocolate, black pepper and soy products.
• Choose a diet low in salt. A high-sodium diet can trigger kidney stones.
• Eat more fruits and veggies. Eating healthy fruits and veggies makes urine less acidic, which makes stones less able to form.

Have other questions about kidney stones or need non-emergency care? We’re here for you! Don’t hesitate to visit our AFC center today.