Kidney stones are mineral deposits that develop in the kidneys and the rest of the urinary tract, like the bladder. These mineral deposits move through the urinary tract and sometimes are small enough to exit the body through the urethra. Kidney stones are often extremely sharp, which makes them cause severe pain as they travel through the urinary tract. If kidney stones are too large, they’re more likely to get stuck in the kidneys, bladder, or somewhere in between. If seniors can avoid kidney stones, that’s the best option. Home care assistance can help aging adults to adopt habits that help them prevent these painful stones.
Sweating More Means Hydrating More
When seniors exercise or are more active, they’re more likely to sweat. That means that they’re also more likely to become dehydrated. If seniors don’t drink a lot of water at all, that can make them more susceptible to kidney stones. Staying properly hydrated helps the kidneys to do their jobs while also flushing the minerals that might have otherwise formed stones. Elder care providers can help seniors to remember to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.
Fruits and Vegetables Can Help
Eating more fruits and vegetables helps to provide seniors with the vitamins and minerals their bodies need to stay healthier overall. Those same nutrients can help to reduce the risk that seniors form kidney stones. Seniors might receive a specific diet from their doctors, like the Mediterranean diet, to help them manage other health issues. These dietary recommendations can be great for other issues, too, like preventing kidney stones.
Calcium Is Important
One reason that seniors who are prone to kidney stones might avoid quite a few of the healthier choices because they’re higher in oxalates. Oxalates are naturally occurring compounds that tend to be high in legumes, leafy greens, and even potatoes. When oxalates build up in the body, seniors might be more prone to kidney stones. The nutrients that seniors can get from foods higher in oxalates are still important, so cutting these foods out entirely isn’t a great idea. Keeping up with calcium-rich foods helps to reduce the buildup of oxalates, making them less damaging to the kidneys.
One Round Raises the Risk of More
If seniors have one round of battle with kidney stones, they’re more likely to develop kidney stones again. Preventing future rounds with them is always the better idea so that seniors can avoid complications that might arise. Seniors should talk with their doctors to develop a plan to help them prevent future kidney stones.
Prevention Means Following a Plan
Once they’ve got a plan, seniors need to follow it. Home care assistance can be a huge help with daily tasks and chores. The right routines can help seniors to make sure that they don’t forget anything, like staying on top of hydration, eating well, and remembering to move more consistently.
It isn’t always possible to prevent kidney stones, especially if seniors are prone to them regardless. But there may still be some steps that they can take, especially with help from home care assistance, to make occurrences less frequent.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care assistance in Elizabeth, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Adult Alternative Home Care today. (888) 664-1769
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