What should you not eat if you have kidney stones?

Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
Updated on November 11, 2024
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Since the main component found in kidney stones is calcium oxalate stones, it is necessary to eat less food high in calcium and oxalates in our diet. Common foods that are high in calcium include soy products such as tofu, soy milk, and dairy products like cow's milk and cheese, which should be consumed in moderation. Additionally, it is advisable to eat fewer foods high in oxalates, such as celery, spinach, strawberries, and chocolate. Moreover, if the stones are uric acid stones, it is important to consume less seafood, animal organs, beer, and other foods high in purines. It is best to drink more water every day and urinate frequently to dilute the urine, which can reduce the formation of stones.

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Written by Wang Jian
Urology
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Which department should I go to for kidney stones?

Kidney stones should be treated by a urologist. For kidney stones, a urology department will perform an ultrasound of the urinary system to examine them. The symptoms of kidney stones mainly depend on the size, shape, and location of the stones, as well as the presence of any obstructions or complications such as infections. Smaller kidney stones often do not cause any symptoms in patients unless the stone falls into the ureter, which can cause acute renal colic, severe lumbar and abdominal pain, and sometimes nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, urgency, and hematuria. If kidney stones are accompanied by a urinary obstruction or infection, patients may experience persistent high fever. If the kidneys have multiple columnar stones, it can lead to impaired renal function and cause renal insufficiency. Therefore, kidney stones should be taken seriously. If the stones are relatively large, consider surgical treatment or lithotripsy.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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How to deal with kidney stones?

For the treatment of kidney stones, it is first necessary to determine the specific size and location of the stones, and whether there are conditions such as hydronephrosis or infection to guide the treatment approach. If the stones inside the kidney are relatively small, such as about five millimeters, conservative treatment is primarily used. This can involve drinking more water, urinating frequently, and exercising more. When necessary, oral medications like stone expulsion granules or solutions can be taken to help expel the stones from the body. If the stones are larger and accompanied by hydronephrosis or even infection, it is necessary to control the infection first and then proceed with surgical treatment. Common surgical methods include percutaneous nephrolithotomy, ureteroscopic lithotripsy, or open surgery for stone removal.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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What should not be eaten with kidney stones

Patients with kidney stones do not have absolute dietary prohibitions. However, it is advisable to consume less food high in calcium, oxalates, and purines. Foods high in purines are mainly found in seafood, animal offal, beer, and beverages. High-calcium foods are primarily found in soy products and dairy products, such as soy milk, tofu, and cow's milk. Foods high in oxalates include celery, spinach, etc. These foods can be consumed in moderation in daily life, but should not be used in large amounts over a long period to avoid further growth and increase of stones. It is also important to drink plenty of water, urinate frequently, and engage in appropriate physical exercise to effectively prevent the occurrence of kidney stones. Additionally, for patients who have already developed kidney stones, it is necessary to timely decide on conservative stone expulsion or surgical treatment based on the size of the stones.

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Written by Zeng Zhong
Urology
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How big must a kidney stone be to require lithotripsy?

If the kidney stone is between 0.5 and 1.5 centimeters in size, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is required. After the treatment, patients should drink more water, urinate frequently, and exercise more, such as running, jumping rope, and playing basketball, to facilitate the expulsion of the stones. Then, one week later, a follow-up visit to the hospital for an ultrasonic examination of the urinary system should be done to check the status of the stone expulsion. If the kidney stone is larger than 1.5 centimeters, minimally invasive surgery is required for stone disintegration, primarily using percutaneous nephrolithotomy with Holmium laser lithotripsy.

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Written by Guan Hai Fang
Urology
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Is it easy to treat kidney stones?

If kidney stones are treated using extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, the procedure depends on the size and location of the stones, among other factors. Whether the stones can be effectively expelled after the procedure also varies from person to person, but generally, it tends to be successful. Kidney stones are caused by the accumulation of crystalline substances in the kidneys, and there are many reasons for the formation of kidney stones, including diet, genetics, environment, occupation, and other factors. The specific cause can only be confirmed after the stone is removed for pathological analysis. Generally, when the stones are relatively small, such as less than 0.5 centimeters, it is advisable to drink more water and undergo some important auxiliary treatments. Under the guidance of a physician, medication can be used as needed. For stones measuring 0.5 to 2 centimeters, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is required to break the stones and then expel them. If the stone exceeds 2 centimeters, surgical treatment is generally necessary.