Kidney stones are hard crystal-like deposits formed from the chemicals present in urine. These are composed of various minerals that may contribute to its formation. Depending on their sizes and location, symptoms and complications may vary. This is a common condition that may affect people at any age.So it’s important to distinguish myth from fact, including the right gamot sa kidney stones.
If these stones in the urinary tract are not treated immediately, it may result in chronic kidney disease (CKD) which is a health condition where the kidneys lose their function. It develops through many years due to other underlying conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. It may also lead to total kidney failure, called end-stage renal disease (ESRD), that will require dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Since these two kidney conditions affect many people, myths and misconceptions also became a subject matter. People believe often in myths that refer to the right ways to treat and prevent these conditions. Here, we will debunk the common myths and misconceptions by providing facts.
Common Myths and Facts: Gamot sa Kidney Stones and Its Prevention
Myth: Avoiding foods with oxalate stops kidney stones from forming.
Oxalate is a natural substance that can be found in nuts, grains, tea, and others. Other food items with high levels of oxalate are spinach, sweet potatoes, and chocolate. Many people thought that avoiding foods that contain oxalate is a way to prevent kidney stones.
This theory is unhealthy because most of the foods that have oxalate are fruits and vegetables, which are the healthy foods that the body needs. However, these are wrong approaches, as kidney stones can be avoided by consuming the right amount of food items with oxalate.
Myth: Removing calcium from your diet reduces the risks of having kidney stones.
Calcium decreases the oxalate levels in the body, and also prevents calcium-oxalate stone formation. Cutting down calcium from the diet plan (because of the name “calcium oxalate stones”) is not a good way to prevent kidney stones. Having too low or no calcium intake actually increases the risk of absorbing too much oxalate and eventual kidney stones formation.
Myth: Kidney stones occur only once.
Unfortunately, kidney stones do not occur only at once. They can still reemerge even after the medications from the previous treatment. It might be a common condition for many people, but this can also be an indicator for other complications, including kidney disease.
Myth: Lemon juice is best for treating kidney stones.
Lemon juice and other citrus juices are common myths referred to as “gamot sa kidney stones”. Vitamin C juices contain citrate (citric acid) that can treat only one type of kidney stone, calcium-oxalate stones. However, too much intake of citric acid can trigger the formation of uric acid and cystine stones.
Depending on the condition, alkali citrate is one of the treatment options. This treatment aims to prevent the formation of calcium oxalate stones, uric acid stones, and cystine stones by increasing the urine citrate and urine pH.
