how to remove kidney stones - #21071
I am really worried about these stupid kidney stones I'm dealing with. A few weeks ago, I started having this awful pain in my lower back, like someone was stabbing me. After a trip to the ER, they did a scan and told me I have kidney stones. Seriously, how to remove kidney stones? They said they're small right now, but it feels like they're the size of a golf ball! I tried drinking all this water, but I don’t feel much difference. I've heard stuff like lemon juice and all kinds of home remedies for how to remove kidney stones, but I’m not sure if they really work. Do all those tricks actually help? Plus, I read somewhere that some food can make them worse, but I can’t remember what it was. I've been trying to eat healthier, but all this is stressing me out, ya know? Also, is there a point where surgery is needed? I really want to avoid that. Anyone have tips or experiences on how to remove kidney stones? Any advice would be super helpful! It’s just such a pain dealing with this – literally! I'm just kinda lost here and hoping to hear from others who have had similar issues.
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Doctors' responses
Kidney stones can be incredibly uncomfortable, but the good news is that smaller stones often pass on their own with proper hydration. Keep drinking plenty of water—aim for 2-3 liters a day to help flush them out. Citrate in lemon juice can indeed inhibit stone formation, so adding a squeeze of lemon to your water may be beneficial. Avoid soda and sugary drinks, as they can contribute to stone development. When it comes to diet, limit the intake of oxalate-rich foods like spinach, nuts, and chocolate, as they can exacerbate the condition. Sodium-rich foods should also be avoided, since they can increase calcium levels in urine, promoting stone formation. As for calcium, keep a normal intake through food; reducing dietary calcium can actually increase oxalate absorption leading to more kidney stones.
Should symptoms become acute—such as intense pain unrelieved by pain medication, nausea, chills, or if you notice blood in your urine—seek medical attention promptly. These could signify that a stone is obstructing the urinary tract, which might require professional intervention. Doctors may employ non-invasive techniques like soundwave therapy (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy) to break stones into passable fragments, or more direct methods like ureteroscopy, depending on the stone’s size and position. Surgery is typically a last resort and is usually reserved for stones that don’t pass naturally or with minimally invasive treatments. Always follow your health professional’s advice concerning medication or dietary adjustments to manage this condition effectively.
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