What you need to know about kidney stones

Dr. Cletus Georges is always happy to share his knowledge about urological issues to educate his blog readers. Among the major challenges in urology is the formation of kidney stones in people.

There's a lot that you could do to prevent the occurrence of kidney stones if you knew more about what they are. Not only can you prevent them, but you can also help your body recover faster if they actually form.

Kidney stone formation is a resulting condition where small stones made of solid material take up space in the kidneys. These small stone fragments are usually microscopic but may be larger enough that you can actually feel them, notes Dr. Cletus Georges.

The causes of kidney stones are still unknown, but several risk factors may contribute to forming these small stone fragments in your kidneys. Some of these factors include improper diet and dehydration. Other causes include specific medical conditions such as hyperparathyroidism or gout. It may occur when you have a family history of kidney stones.

You know that you have a low chance of developing small stone fragments in your kidneys if you drink plenty of water regularly. If you think there is already something forming inside your urinary tract, the best thing to do would be to prevent them from growing bigger by increasing your fluid intake to at least eight glasses daily. This will help the kidneys recover from the occurrence of kidney stones.

There are many measures you can take to prevent a recurrence of kidney stones after they have been dissolved already, too. You can eat more vegetables packed with soluble fiber that helps prevent new stone formations and dissolves possibly undetected ones. You can also eat fruits but take note that these contain fructose, increasing the risk of stone formation.

If you take care of your kidneys and prevent the growth of kidney stones, you will essentially avoid one of the most notorious types of pain. When in doubt, always seek the professional opinion of your urologist.

Dr. Cletus Georges is one of the most trusted experts in urology in the country. He shares his knowledge through a series of blogs. For more related reading, visit this page.