Beyond the Basics:

Kidney Stones Prevention through Medication

Sometimes diets and lifestyle changes may not be the solution for the prevention of kidney stones. That is when it is time to seek medications to regulate the amount of certain substances that can become risk factors when they build up in excess amounts or to alleviate the pain from existing kidney stones. Substances, such as uric acid, calcium, oxalate, and cystine can lead to the formation of crystals that become kidney stones.

• Thiazide works as a diuretic to reduce calcium levels in urine, thereby lowering a person’s chances for developing calcium stones. It is important to reduce sodium intake because this substance may inhibit this medication from doing its job.
• Sodium cellulose phosphate inhibits calcium in the intestine from leaving and infecting the urine for kidney stones prevention.
• Oral calcium supplements are known to reduce the level of oxalates, helping to decrease the opportunity for calcium oxalate and phosphate stones to form. This medication comes with a warning that it should not be used by those who have existing kidney problems. Careful management of these supplements is required.
• Allopurinol works to reduce uric acid for people’s whose bodily systems cannot do it. This medication may also be used for two disorders that lead to kidney stones, including hypercalciuria and hyperuricosuria.
• Hydrochlorothiazide is another diuretic used to combat hypercalciuria, which can lead to calcium kidney stones if not treated properly. Those people who have what is known as absorptive hypercalciuria may also need to take sodium cellulose phosphate to stop calcium from leaving the intestines and entering the urine.
• Polycitra K, also known as potassium citrate, works two ways for kidney stones prevention. It reduces uric acid in the urine and stops it from forming crystals.
• Thiola is used to prevent cystine stones by increasing the dissolve rate of cystine. As with anyone at risk of these types of stones, an incredible amount of water is necessary.
• D-penicil-lamine decreases the chances for struvite stones by stopping an enzyme that enables the formation of these stones. Great caution must be taken with this medication as the side effects have serious consequences.
• Acetohy-droxamic acid (AHA) also reduces struvite formation. This medication is often used in combination with antibiotic drugs to prevent the infections that become a breeding ground for these types of kidney stones. Medication for these types of stones may be required over an extensive period of times.
• Toradol works to alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with kidney stones. This medication is considered a non-steroid drug that works as an anti-inflammatory to stop the pain within one hour. This medication is given through an injection.
• Surgery to remove parathyroid glands. Since people who have hyperparathyroidism have a greater chance of developing calcium kidney stones because of their ailment, surgery is a common solution. The parathyroid glands, which are located in the neck, are removed so that their enlargement no longer causes a problem. It not only stops the problems associated with the thyroid disorder, but it is also an excellent kidney stones prevention technique.

Last But Not Least - Some Important Thoughts on Kidney Stones Prevention

If you suffer from kidney stones, remember to drink a lot of water and always have a bathroom in sight. Do not wait to urinate because it will only cause pain and more health problems down the line.

Having one experience with kidney stones increases your chances for more throughout your life. That is why the kidney stones prevention techniques listed in this article are so valuable. The more you apply these lifestyle changes, the dietary suggestions, and medicinal choices, the more likely you are to avoid any reoccurrences. Please remember that incomplete kidney treatment is an invitation for the stones to come back, so make sure that everything you do is for an adequate length of time.

Learn about kidney stone prevention diet, discover how fluids and changes in diet are helping people stop any reoccurrences of this painful ailment.