Organizations and Supporting Groups

Many kidney stone organizations and institutes support the research and education of kidney stone disease. Listed below are some organizations that you or your loved one can interact with to better inform, educate, and learn about the research being done on kidney stones and diseases. When it comes to you and your kidney stones, you are not alone! There are many organizations and research being done to better diagnose and treat kidney diseases.

Click on the names of each organization to open the website and learn more!

The National Kidney Foundation is the leading organization in the U.S dedicated to the awareness, prevention, and treatment of kidney disease.

On this website you can contact a patient information center and speak with a trained professional who can offer support if you or your loved one is affected by kidney disease. Listed on the website, are many prevention methods you can take to check for any risks, and tools to educated yourself on kidney issues.

Take the quiz and find out if you are at risk for kidney disease, and what steps you can take to reduce your risk! Click here to take the quiz!

An image of the website for the IKSI

The International Kidney Stone Institute (IKSI) is a charitable organization affiliated with Methodist Hospital and Indiana University School of Medicine. It is a major center for independent evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of stone disease treatments.

On this website, you can learn more about kidney stones, research initiatives, global news and forums on stones, and even donate to the institute.

A video from IKSI

Most importantly, if you or your loved one is experiencing any symptom or signs of a kidney stone, it is best to contact a physician or urologist. 

The Urology Care Foundation is committed to promoting urology research and education to improve patients' lives.

The Urology Care Foundation offers an on-line directory service for patients to use when searching for an urologist near you.

Click here to find a local urologist!

No matter what, never feel alone, and take care of your health to ensure a happy, long lasting life!

Sources;

International Kidney Stone Institute. (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2014, from http://www.iksi.org/about/

The National Kidney Foundation |. (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2014, from https://www.kidney.org/

Urology Care Foundation The Official Foundation of the American Urological Association. (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2014, from http://www.urologyhealth.org/urology/findurologist.cfm

Healthy Guidelines

Hydrate

Drinking plenty of water is the best measure you can take to avoid kidney stones. Stay hydrated, especially when engaging in exercise or activities that cause a lot of sweating.

Limit caffiene to 300 mg per day & tea.

One cup of tea has 40-80 mg of caffiene, and an 8 oz cup of coffee has 60-150 mg of caffiene.

When life hands you kidney stones...Make lemonade!

Studies show that limeade, lemonade and fruits high in natural citrate offer stone-prevention benefits. However, beware of high sugar levels because it can increase your risk.

Oxalate

Most kidney stones are formed when oxalate binds to calcium while urine is produced by the kidneys.

Eat and drink calcium and oxalate-rich foods together during a meal. This will allow binding and make it less likely to form a stone.

Click here to see certain foods high and low in oxalate!

Calcium

Don't reduce calcium because it is important for your body. Instead, work to cut back on the sodium 

in your diet and to pair calcium-rich foods with oxalate-rich foods.

Food Sources of Calcium
Gruyere Cheese, 1 oz. Mozzarella Cheese, 1 oz Cheddar Cheese, 1 oz. Yogurt, 1/2 cup Macaroni & Cheese, 1/2 cup 7² Homemade Waffle, 1 Vanilla Ice Cream, 1 cup Ice Milk, 1 cup American Cheese, 1 oz Ricotta Cheese, 1/4 cup	287 207 204 200 200 179 176 176 174 167	Instant Oatmeal, 3/4 cup 2% Cottage Cheese, 1 cup Broccoli, 1 stalk Pizza, 1 slice Milk, 1/2 cup Buttermilk, 1/2 cup Baked Custard, 1/2 cup Pudding, 1/2 cup Blackstrap Molasses, 1 T Instant Nonfat Dry Milk, 2 T	163 155 150 150 150 150 149 146 137 105

Limit meats and seafood

Cut down on high-purine foods.

Daily exercise can prevent kidney stones from appearing!

Limit your intake to a maximum of 150-225 g per day.

One serving of cooked meat, fish, or poultry is 75 g.

Limit Sodium

Buy fresh or frozen unprocessed foods and meats instead of breaded, seasoned, or cured.

Replace added and table salt with low sodium herbs, spices, seasonings, and flavorings.

Limit canned foods and fast foods.

  

Sample Menu For Kidney Stones Calcium or Calcium Oxalate Stones
Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Grapefruit juice 1 cup cereal 3/4 cup skim milk 1 cup scrambled eggs 1 white toast 2 slices margarine 2 tsp coffee 1 cup water 1 cup	white meat chicken 2 oz wheat bread 2 slices iceburg lettuce 1 cup oil/vinegar dressing 1 Tbsp cantaloupe 1 cup lemonade 1 cup sugar cookie 1 water 1 cup	baked haddock 3 oz white rice 1/2 cup peas 1/2 cup margarine 2 tsp dinner roll 1 apple 1 animal crackers 16 water 1 cup

This Sample Diet Provides the Following
Calories	1805	Fat	51 gm
Protein	81 gm	Sodium	1821 mg
Carbohydrates	261 gm	Potassium	692 gm

Sources:

Kidney Stone Diet. (n.d.). Retrieved November 7, 2014, from http://gicare.com/diets/kidney-stone-diet/

6 Easy Ways to Prevent Kidney Stones. (2011, April 1). Retrieved November 7, 2014, from https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kidneystones_prevent

Healthy Eating Guidelines for People with Kidney Stones - HealthLinkBC. (n.d.). Retrieved November 7, 2014, from http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthyeating/kidney-stones.html

Why is Knowing Which Type of Kidney Stone I Have Important?

In order to prevent kidney stones, it is important to understand what is causing the stones to form. This will help your health care provider suggest diet changes to prevent future stones from developing.

Drink enough fluids to produce at least 2 liters of urine a day!

Notably, drinking enough fluids help prevent all kinds of stones by keeping urine diluted and flushing away materials that might form stones.
Health care providers recommend 2-3 liters of fluid a day.

Diet Recommendations based on type of kidney stone:

	Calcium Oxalate Stones	Calcium Phosphate Stones	Uric Acid Stones
Reduce Sodium	Yes	Yes
Reduce Animal Protein	Yes	Yes	Yes
Increase Calcium	Yes	Yes
Avoid foods high in oxalate	Yes

Sodium: 

Sodium causes kidneys to excrete more calcium into the urine. Concentrations of calcium in the urine mix with oxalate and phosphorus to create stones. The U.S recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of sodium is 2,300 milligrams (mg) a day, but Americans' intake averages about 3,400 mg.

Animal Protein (eggs, fish, meat):

Purines are found in animal protein, which are known to break down into uric acid in the urine. People who form uric acid stones should limit consumption to 6 oz. each day. The acid found in animal protein reduces citrate in the urine, which are known to prevent kidney stones.

Calcium:

Calcium from food found in the digestive tracts keeps oxalate from food from entering the blood, and the urinary tracts where it can form stones. People who form calcium oxalate stones should include 800 mg of calcium a day. However, calcium supplements may increase the risk of these stones if they are not taken with food.

Oxalate:

Because some oxalate in the urine is formed by the body, eating foods high in oxalate can increase the amount in our urine and it can combine with calcium to form calcium oxalate stones.



Sources:

National Kidney and Urologic DiseasesInformation Clearinghouse (NKUDIC). (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2014, from http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/kidneystonediet/

Kidney stones. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2014, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-stones/basics/prevention/con-20024829

Pinterest. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2014, from www.pinterest.com

Types of Kidney Stones

Knowing the type of kidney stone may help you determine the cause and may give you clues on how to lower your risk of getting more kidney stones. Although there are many forms of kidney stones, doctors have found four main types.

There are many shapes and sizes of kidney stones.

Types of kidney stones:

Calcium stones

·         The most common type of stones contain calcium.

·         Calcium is needed in a healthy diet for strong bones and muscles.

·         The kidneys flush out any excess calcium with the rest of your urine.

·         Calcium in your kidneys are usually in the form of calcium oxalate.

·         Oxalate is natural substance and can be found in some fruits, vegetables, nuts, and chocolate. It is also produced in the liver.

·         Calcium that stays in the kidneys can build up and form a kidney stone.

Uric acid stones

Uric acid stones.

·         Commonly found in men than in women.

·         Can occur with gout or chemotherapy.

·         Forms when your urine contains too much acid (low pH).

·         If too much acid is excreted, or the acid level in the urine is high, the uric acid may not dissolve and uric stones may form.

·         Eating a high-protein diet may increase your chances of getting this stone.

·         Unlike calcium stones, this stone can be "dissolved" with medical treatment.

Struvite stones

·         Commonly found in women.

·         Tends to form after you have a kidney infection, such as a urinary tract infection.

·         Grows quickly and can become quite large with little warning or symptoms.

Cystine stones

·         Commonly forms in people who have cystinuria, a genetic disorder. This disorder causes cystine (an amino acid) to leak through the kidneys and into the urine.

What Stone Do You Have?

Finding out the type of kidney stone you have will help with treatment measures and decisions to prevent it from reoccurring. 

Tests include:

·         A physical exam and a medical history.

·         Your doctor may ask you to collect stones by straining your urine so that he/she may analyze it. This is called a stone analysis.

·         To measure pH, calcium, oxalate, and other substances, a urine collection may be done. This is a test you may do at home.

·         A blood chemistry screen measures kidney function and levels of substanes that may have caused the stone to form.

·         Imaging tests such as X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans may reveal small stones in your kidney and bladder.

By knowing what kind of stone you have, you can take steps in reducing your chances of getting another stone, which I will talk about in my upcoming post!


Sources:
National Kidney and Urologic DiseasesInformation Clearinghouse (NKUDIC). (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2014, from http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/kidneystonediet/

Kidney stones. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2014, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-stones/basics/prevention/con-20024829

Pinterest. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2014, from www.pinterest.com

Kidney stones: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2014, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000458.htm

Kidney Stones 101

Kidneys are the bean shaped organs located near the lower back on both sides of the spine. Their main function is to filter your blood from any toxins and harmful substances. Any toxins filtered are sent to the urine to be excreted from the body through urination.

What are Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones are created when there is not enough liquid in the urine to dilute waste chemicals and solid forms of compound in the urine. These waste become concentrated and solid forms stick together to form a stone. These stones are made of calcium, phosphorus, uric acid, cystine, and other chemicals. Kidney stones vary in shape and size, and can be smooth or jagged. Stone sizes may range from the size of a sand particle to a golf ball.

Kidney stones are one of the most common disorders of the urinary tract and anyone can get it. Certain foods may promote stone formation. Although it is more likely to be found in overweight and obese people, there are many ways to prevent stones from appearing. 

Causes

There is no definite, single cause, but many factors can increase your risk for kidney stones. Knowing the type of kidney stone may help determine the cause and give insight on how to reduce your risk or getting more. 

Symptoms

Usually, there are no symptoms of a kidney stone until it moves and blocks the flow of urine.

The most common symptom of kidney stones is sharp pains in the lower back and side area. The pain occurs when a small stone is stuck in one of the ureters on its way to the bladder. The pain caused by a kidney stone may shift locations or in intensity as the stone moves through your urinary tract. 

Other symptoms include:
· Pain that spread to the lower abdomen & groin
· Pain that fluctuates in intensity
· Pain when urinating.
·  Nausea with pain
·  Pink, red or brown urine
·  Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
·   Urinating more than usual
·   Fever & chills is there if an infection present

It is important to notify your doctor immediately if these symptoms pertain to you.

CLICK HERE to see a how kidney stones are formed!

Outcome

Because the stone or stones may block the ureter and blocks the kidney, it is vital to seek treatment. An abscess can easily form in the kidney if left untreated. This can lead to infection in the blood stream, which can ultimately lead to death. In some cases, kidney stones that go untreated can lead to kidney damage, and serious complications. 

Sources:

Kidney Stones. (2012, August 12). Retrieved September 20, 2014, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/kidneystones/ur079104.pdf

Kidney stones. (2012, May 17). Retrieved September 21, 2014, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-stones/basics/causes/con-20024829

Visual Health Solutions. Retrieved Septermber 21, 2014, from http://www.visibleproductions.com/index.php?page=asset_detail&asset_id=vpl_0477_001