These days, there are a lot of changes in the lifestyle of people. From lifestyle to food, everything has changed with changing times. However, the effect of changing lifestyle is also seen on health. These days people are falling prey to many types of problems. Kidney stone is one of these problems, due to which many people are troubled these days.

This is a painful condition, due to which the affected person has to face many problems. In such a situation, today in this article we will tell you what is kidney stone and what are the reasons for it and how you can protect yourself from it.

What is kidney stone?

Kidney stones are crystals that form from minerals, acids and salts in your kidneys. They can be as small as a grain of sand or rarely larger than a golf ball. Kidney stones are also called renal calculi or nephrolithiasis.

Small stones may pass through your urinary tract through urine without causing any symptoms. However, larger kidney stones can get stuck in your ureter. This can cause urine to back up and reduce your kidney's ability to filter waste from your body, which can also lead to bleeding.

What causes kidney stones?

Your urine contains minerals, acids, and substances such as calcium, sodium, oxalate, and uric acid. When your urine has too many particles of each element and too little fluid, they can begin to stick together, forming crystals or stones. Kidney stones can form over months or years.

Do these factors increase the risk of kidney stones?

• Not drinking enough water.
• Eating foods rich in sodium or sugar (sucrose and fructose).
• Taking vitamin C supplements.
• Having a family history of kidney stones.
• A blockage in your urinary tract.
• Having gastric bypass surgery, stomach or intestine surgery.
• Taking certain types of medicines. These include some diuretics, calcium-based antacids, antiseizure medicines.
• Having some medical condition.

How to prevent kidney stones?

What you eat and drink increases the risk of kidney stones. In such a situation, you can avoid this risk by making healthy eating habits a part of your routine-

• Drink plenty of water.
• Eat animal proteins in limited quantities.
• Stay away from sugar and sodium rich foods.
• Avoid foods containing oxalates.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Eat calcium rich foods.
• However, avoid calcium supplements or antacids containing calcium.
• Avoid taking medicine without doctor's advice.