If you've had it before, you know that ulcerative colitis is a disease you do not want to mess with. It will give you severe stomach cramps, cause you to feel exhausted, and it will make you lose a few pounds (but not in a good way).
On top of that, you're also more likely to develop kidney stones. These little rock-like formations rest inside of your bodily waste disposal factories and are painfully passed by urinating.
Well, read the rest of this article as I tell you some practical ways to avoid developing kidney stones, even if you have ulcerative colitis.
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How Ulcerative Colitis Affects Kidney Health
First things first, why does ulcerative colitis affect kidney health? Simply put, ulcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBD), and historical studies have shown that patients with this disease develop kidney stones at a higher rate.
Furthermore, researchers are beginning to show that kidney stones are more prevalent in young Black females and older Black males. There has been a steady increase over the past ten years that suggests there may be more than a few Black people with kidney stones in the future.
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This research does not mean you will for sure develop kidney stones, but it does suggest you are at high risk. So, you should take some preventive measures to avoid this condition.
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5 Ways to Prevent Kidney Stone Formation
1. Drink Water
As we all know, water is the root of all good health, so it should be no surprise that drinking more of it will help you avoid kidney stones. Drinking more water will not only help you urinate more, but it will also dilute any minerals that are building up inside of your kidneys.
It is worth mentioning that your size and activity level determine the correct water intake. For example, larger athletic people who participate in sweat-inducing exercises daily will need to drink over a gallon daily to keep their hydration levels up.
On the other hand, those who live a relatively sedentary life may need only to drink half a gallon to a gallon per day to maintain sufficient water levels.
2. Cut Down On Certain Foods
Cutting out the foods you love can be challenging, but that’s not as bad as passing a thick kidney stone through your urine canal. The specific nutrients you may need to tone down are:
- Salt
- Sugar
- Excess calcium
- Excess protein
- Soda
- Oxalate-Rich foods like berries, nuts, sweet potatoes, etc.
Keep in mind that some of the items on this list are otherwise very healthy for you, so you should consult with your doctor on how much to cut down. Stuff like sugar and salt is a no-brainer when it comes to fixing your diet.
3. Medicate
Doctors recommend that patients use several drugs to fight off developing kidney stones. Some of the medications in this catalog include:
- Potassium Citrate
- Acetohydroximate acid
- Allopurinol
- Cystine-binding thiol
Each of them attacks kidney stones differently, making it much harder for them to form inside your body.
4. Address Other Medical Issues
Kidney stones have a much higher chance of forming if you have other underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. Experts say Individuals with any of these diagnoses, along with ulcerative colitis, will need to be much more careful.
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5. Drink More Coffee and Eat More Fruit
If water is the root of all good health, then fruits and vegetables are the products that stem from that root. In other words, if you want to avoid kidney stones, increase the number of fruits and vegetables, especially ones that are high in potassium.
Additionally, studies show that people with a high daily caffeine intake are less likely to develop dreadful calcium deposit buildup. That’s another reason you should start your day with a generous cup of joe.
