Nephrolithiasis and renal colic 
lithiasis or stone formation in the urinary system is a common and usually chronic. Its onset is usually between 30 and 60 years, more frequently in males.
cramps usually occur in the warmer months (June to September) and in people with sedentary occupational activities or exposed to heat. The calculations, however, can form when the urine contains a large number of substances, which may precipitate into small crystals that become stones later. The biggest risk factor for kidney stones is dehydration. By decreasing the amount of urine, decreasing the amount of water the same, but not of solute. The substances excreted in urine are the same, but there is less water to dissolve, being easier to crystal formation.
Kidney stones usually form at the kidney and then down through the urinary tract (ureters) to the urinary bladder. May not cause symptoms until they begin this fall, as it is the time when you can lock the passage of urine if the calculation is large enough. This causes swelling of the kidney or kidneys, causing severe pain.
The pain may begin at the lower abdomen, radiating to the groin or genitals, but sometimes the pain also radiates to your lower back. In most cases, is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever and chills. The urine may change color, being darker or have traces of blood. The days before the colic may be other milder symptoms such as feeling of persistent urination or burning with urination.
TO CONSIDER
of various types
Some types of stones tend to run in families, although most cases are of undetermined origin. There are several types of stones according to their chemical composition. Among the most common are those of calcium
, which are the most common and occur more often in men
and usually appear between 20 and 30 years of age. They tend to be recurrent. There are also
cystine stones, which can form in people with cystinuria (pathological increase of cystine levels in urine). This is a disorder that runs in families and affects both men and women. For their part, struvite
found mainly in women and often associated with urinary tract infections. These stones can grow very large and may obstruct the kidney, ureters, bladder 0. Finally, there are
uric acid stones, which are more common in men than in women and may be associated with gout or chemotherapy treatments.
treatment calculations:
Despite medical treatment, medication and dietary differ depending on the type of stone (calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, uric acid, struvite, cystine, etc..) general measures are recommended:
• Increase fluid intake:
Drink two to three liters of fluid a day. At least half of the fluid intake should be water, but you can also make tea, juices, soups, etc..
• Do not abuse the salt:
is advisable to control sodium intake in all cases of urolithiasis, particularly those that present with hypercalciuria (high levels of calcium urine).
• Protein: is known that a diet high in protein increases the risk of stone formation by increasing urinary levels of its constituents.
• limit rapidly absorbed sugars (table sugar, jam, honey, pastry and confectionery, sugary juices, etc.) As favoring the increase in the amount of calcium in the urine by decreasing its reabsorption impairment.
• Avoid alcohol:
Alcoholic beverages are generally rich in calcium, oxalate, and guanosine (which is metabolized to uric acid). Also are highly energetic. There is a linear relationship between alcohol consumption and elevation of uric acid in blood and urine. Alcohol also increases the levels of calcium, phosphate and magnesium in the urine.
• Weight control and physical exercise. • Avoid excessive fluid loss: physical exertion, extreme heat, etc.
Check some calculations ...
Depending on the type of calculation is necessary to implement some recommendations or other treatment to help. In the case of calcium oxalate calculations general recommendations are:
• Drinking water 2.5 Iitros of day. • Take
citrus juices, as they prevent the formation of calcium oxalate salt. • Limit
milk to 2 cups per day. • Limit
coffee and tea to 2 cups per day as they increase the excretion of uric acid and oxalate.
• Avoid sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages. • Keep
calcium in the diet (avoiding milk and derivatives), which increases the absorption
oxalate in the intestine, increases the risk of osteoporosis and also reduces the supply of phosphorus. • Restrict
the contribution of protein , especially limiting consumption of red meat. • Restrict
oxalate sources such as green leafy vegetables, carrots, beets, figs, organ meats, seafood and chocolate ...
Moreover, in the case of calcium phosphate stones, the recommendations are: • Drink
of Iíquido 2.5 liters per day. • Take
grape juice and apple . • Limit
coffee and tea to 2 cups a day. • Limit
milk to 2 cups a day.
• Avoid citrus juices, sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages.
• Eat a varied diet , avoiding strict vegetarian diets. • Restrict
the contribution of protein , especially limiting consumption of red meat. • Restrict
phosphates if hyperphosphaturia (increased urine phosphate) present in cheese, vegetables, nuts, cocoa and liver.
All this, of course, always following the guidelines that we check the doctor, and can vary depending on other factors of personal health.
... and fend off other
Although in general, the treatment of different calculations have in common, each has its merits, as we have seen. In the case of uric acid stones
, these recommendations are:
• Drink 2.5 liters of liquid
day. • Take
diluted citrus juices, teas, soft you apple juice. • Avoid
sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages, especially beer
, including non-alcoholic beer. • Reduce
consumption of foods such as offal, meat, oily fish and seafood. • Limit
vegetables intake , who have a moderate in purines
• Limit
consumption of spinach, asparagus, cauliflower, leeks and mushrooms, radishes.
Finally, those who suffer
cystine stones should follow these guidelines, under medical supervision:
• Drink at least 3 liters
fluid a day. • Eat
citrus juices and apple juice.
•
Avoid sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages.
• Limit consumption
coffee and tea to 2 cups a day. • Restrict
protein diet, limiting the consumption of meat, fish, egg products, cheese, nuts and legumes. • Follow
a varied diet rich in fruits (especially citrus), vegetables, salads, cereals and potatoes
• Limit the amount of salt diet.
Source: Natural Kitchen
Sna and Dr. Marta Diaz eb specialized medical cardiology. Print
