Staying hydrated in a health way is one main way to prevent kidney stones. At the same time, drinking hard water has been shown to increase the risk, or then the severity, of kidney stones. What is it in water – especially with hard water or poor quality water – that could contribute to kidney stones?
People who’ve had kidney stones say it can be even more painful than giving birth. Hard water and kidney stones have been researched. The risk of kidney stones may increase by about 300% because of consuming hard water.
How Do Kidney Stones Form?
Think of your kidneys as amazing filters for your body. They remove toxic substances from your blood while putting vital nutrients into the blood.
Kidneys normally eliminate the toxins from your blood through urine. Urine includes some crystal-forming substances like calcium, oxalate, salt, phosphorus and uric acid. When these are high in quantity, they start to calcify. Dehydration can be an excellent breeding ground for calcification because there are more crystal-forming compounds inside your kidneys when you’re dehydrated. Normally, the substances pass adequately in urine. This doesn’t happen as well if you’re dehydrated.
In some cases, some individuals do not have the compounds required to stop crystals from forming stones. Both of these circumstances, high or low concentration of substances, create a good setting for kidney stones to form.
In the U.S., 9% of adults get kidney stones in their lifetimes.
Calcium Oxalate
A frequent kind of kidney stone comes from a formation of calcium and oxalate in the kidneys. When calcium and oxalate are in contact with the intestines, the body usually removes them before they end up being a problem. But, when oxalates do not have adequate bioavailable calcium, the body does not remove them and they reach the stomach. Once in the stomach, oxalates combine with non-organic calcium which probably came from hard water, creating kidney stones.
Hard water is known for the build-up of minerals and sediment. Studies reveal if you consume hard water at 10 grains per gallon, the urinary system calcium level rises by 50%. If you drink hard water frequently, your risk for kidney stones increases by 300%.
Paying for Kidney Stones
Kidney stones can be very painful. You can be in pain and end up paying a lot of money. Kidney stones can require hospital or emergency room visits, medication and surgery. With some procedures, a patient might need shockwave therapy and anesthesia. Other treatment possibilities include scoping, laser treatment or surgery.
Medical treatment is meant to remove the stone and mitigate the pain. Treatments don’t do anything to decrease the likelihood of getting a stone again. A reoccurrence could be due to the exact same reasons or problems. Addressing the root cause of the kidney stones is the most efficient way to solve stones and not have the problem return. One main cause might be the water you’re drinking.
How Hydration Helps
The answer isn’t to drink less water. Half of people who’ve had a kidney stone will get another one at some point. A key way to lower the chance of getting kidney stones is to drink a healthy amount of water. This dilutes the compounds in urine that form the buildup leading to stones. To avoid repeat stones, try to drink a minimum of three quarts, about 100 ounces, of water a day.
The amount of liquid you need to drink may vary on the weather and your activities. If you live, work, or workout in heat, you may require extra liquid to replace what you lose via sweat.
Tips to Drink More Water
You can add taste to your water with few or no calories by freezing grapes, or lemon, lime, or orange peels, and using them as ice cubes.
Although water is best, other drinks such as citrus beverages may help stop kidney stones. Some studies show that citrus drinks, such as lemonade and orange juice, prevent against kidney stones due to the fact that they have citrate, which stops crystals from turning into stones.
Drink sparkling or mineral water rather than soda.
Utilize an app to track how much water you drink. Download an app on your phone to set day-to-day reminders.
Mark lines on your water bottle to show how much water you should drink.
In winter, you can drink warm water with lemon and honey.
Diet Tips
If you have kidney stones, you might need to eat a specific diet. First, your doctor will run examinations to learn what kind of stones you develop. With this info, the doc can establish what diet modifications you need.
To avoid calcium stones, minimize salty foods like cheese, the majority of frozen foods and meats, canned soups, salty snacks, bottled salad dressing, pickles and many other canned foods.
To stop oxalate stones, you might be told to reduce foods with high oxalate levels such as spinach, rhubarb and almonds.
If you have to prevent uric acid stones, decrease your consumption of red meat and shellfish.
Improve Your Home’s Water
Bottled water has become a common choice rather than hard water or water that’s a poor quality. However, there’s a more efficient, easier and more affordable option – a water treatment system in your home.
Kidney stones have several causes and are not just a result of water quality. Researchers shown though a substantial rise when drinking hard water. At the same time, staying hydrated is one of the best ways to decrease your risk. Drinking the best quality water can make a incredible difference in your life and the lives of your loved ones.
South End Water Filtration specializes in HALO Water Filter products including the HALO H2 Zero Whole Home Water Filter. HALO systems solve hard water problems, give your family clear, great-tasting water and are totally maintenance free. We’re just a click away to help and answer any questions. South End Plumbing and South End Water Filtration will give you a free estimate. Call us at 704-486-1988 or contact us online to schedule a visit.