Suspected kidney stones. Next steps?
July 8, 2014 | 15,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Ralf Berg
Good day, I suspect I have a kidney stone, as I feel a slight pulling sensation, especially during urination and when tensing my lower abdomen.
This has led me to do further research and I have noticed that my current lifestyle habits are promoting the formation of kidney stones.
Currently, I eat about 550g of chicken meat almost every day and drink relatively little (about 1 liter) either mineral water or Pepsi Light. For breakfast, I have two slices of whole grain bread. Otherwise, very little, maybe a small snack like Knoppers in between.
This is for weight loss from 121.5kg to a target of 85kg, currently at 108.5kg. I am 19 years old. The change was very radical from fast food, lots of bread and pasta, lots of apple spritzer or sugary soft drinks to the above and happened about 6 weeks ago. Additionally, I spend at least 60 minutes a day on the home trainer.
My well-being is very good due to these changes, except for the suspected kidney stone.
Now I read here: http://frag-einen.com/arzt/urologie/nierenstein_und_eiweissreiche_ernaehrung-4271.html about someone in a very similar situation to mine and therefore submitted this question myself.
It was also mentioned, due to weight loss, about increased levels of oxalate and urate, which also promote stone formation. My plan now would be the following: switch to a diet of more whole grain bread and salad, without meat.
What would you recommend as a drink? Water with low calcium? Light soft drinks? I hope treatment will not be necessary.
What else would you recommend?
Thank you for your response.
Good evening, or already good morning.... First, I would recommend making sure whether you actually have a kidney stone. The slight pulling sensation when urinating is not enough evidence or confirmation of a diagnosis. A bladder infection can also cause these symptoms.
1. This should be ruled out first (examination of the urine, preferably fresh, by a general practitioner). If this test is positive for inflammation, one must consider whether the condition can be improved with antibiotics.
2. With an ultrasound examination with a full bladder, even small stones of 0.5mm in the bladder can be detected nowadays. If nothing is found, you do not have a kidney/oxalate stone.
3. It is true that weight loss can lead to the formation of oxalate stones. Before considering what to drink, the question of how much to drink should be the main focus. At 108kg and 19 years old in "weight loss mode," a fluid intake of 1-1.5 liters is insufficient. Aim for 2-2.5 liters and a urine volume of 1.5 to preferably 2 liters per day. This will help flush out the oxalate and reduce the concentration of oxalate in the bladder.
4. Recommendations for drinks: Ideally, 2/3 water or tea, 1/3 can also be a diluted juice spritzer (apple juice). Milk, sugary soft drinks, beer, and alcoholic beverages have too many calories, which will hinder further weight loss.
5. I would only take calcium in cases of deficiency (e.g. leg cramps). Since the most common stones are calcium oxalate stones, taking calcium effervescent tablets is not a good idea.
In summary:
Overall, your goal of losing weight is a good idea and will benefit you in the long term. You can prevent stone formation by drinking plenty of fluids. Reducing oxalate and urate intake by consuming less meat and sausage is also a good idea. Vitamins can be obtained from fruits. Have your blood values checked by a general practitioner every 1-2 months. (Elevated uric acid levels can occur during fasting. By looking at the total protein, you can determine if you still have enough protein despite your diet, etc.)
If nothing is found in the bladder during the ultrasound, it is highly unlikely that you currently have a bladder stone.
I hope this answer was helpful to you. Best regards, Dr. R. C. Berg
I believe that if you follow these recommendations, you should not be afraid of stone formation. And as I mentioned before, without an ultrasound, it cannot be determined if
