Kidney health isn’t something that people normally talk about. It’s human instinct to only go to a doctor when something doesn’t feel right, and the same is true for a trip to a urology doctor in Singapore.
Urinary stones or kidney stones is a common concern for patients consulting with a urologist in Singapore. If you’ve ever had one, here are some dietary changes you can take to prevent them from coming back.
1. Stay Hydrated
Drink more water. If you’re not hydrated, you’re less likely to produce enough urine to dissolve urine salts that form into kidney stones. Drinking around 8 glasses of water a day is recommended, but the colour of your urine would tell you if you’re drinking enough.
2. Get Enough Calcium
Cheese, milk, and yogurt are some good sources of calcium. Make sure to get enough vitamin D in your diet as well to help the body better absorb the calcium. Your urologist would tell you how much calcium you need in a day.
3. Reduce Intake of Oxalate-Rich Foods
Oxalate is the natural compound in food that binds with calcium in the urine, potentially leading in the formation of kidney stones. They are abundantly found in chocolate, coffee, peanuts, almonds, and soy products, so try to limit intake of these.
4. Limit Sodium
You get most of your sodium from table salt. Urologists in Singapore recommend reducing your sodium intake to 1500 mg a day, as too much salt in the urine can prevent the calcium to be reabsorbed into the blood. (NOTE: a teaspoon of salt has 2,325 mg of sodium)
5. Less Animal Protein, More Fruits & Vegetables
Poultry, beef, fish, and pork. All these animal proteins can be high in acidity which can lead to increased uric acid. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables instead.
6. When Kidney Stones Form
In some cases, changes in one’s diet are not enough to stop kidney stones. If you have recurrent stones, it’s best to talk to your urologist.
Dr. Shirley Bang is a female urologist in Singapore. Schedule an appointment with her today.
