“Sometimes, even our favorite food can cause harm to our bodily functions if we eat too much of it. An uptick in dietary sodium content increases the amount of calcium excretion in the urine, while an excess of sugar can cause increased urine calcium and decreased urine volume, a perfect scenario for urinary stone formation. Some major dietary aggressors are large amounts of red meat, nuts, seafood, and shellfish because of the sodium and uric acid content. Junk foods and highly processed foods, too. Of course, too much sugar is also bad for the body. It increases your risk of packing on weight, and obesity makes you more prone to developing stones. It’s also a common misconception that milk and dairy products can cause kidney stones, because it contains calcium. That’s only partially true. The body still needs calcium, and proteins and oxalate can be found in foods that are actually healthy for the body, like peanuts, beans, spinach and strawberries.” ~Dr. Jason L. Letran, Cardinal Santos Medical Center’s (CSMC) Chief of the Section of Urology
“The solution is to consume moderate amount of calcium-rich foods with oxalate-rich foods, so that they bind together in the gut and get digested properly, instead of being excreted in the kidney. Softdrinks and drinks with alcoholic content are the staples for Filipino families during a Christmas party, so make sure that there is also clean drinking water available. I even personally recommend avoiding those drinks altogether. It’s also important not to skip out on the fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits, as the citric acid alkalinizes the urine and is a natural inhibitor of stone formation. While of course, we advocate for the prevention of kidney stones by making healthier lifestyle choices, we hope patients know that CSMC is happy to offer its services to those who need it, especially those who are currently suffering from kidney stones or are exhibiting symptoms. Patients are assured that they will receive the best possible care here.” ~Dr. Jason L. Letran, Cardinal Santos Medical Center’s (CSMC) Chief of the Section of Urology
Christmas is more than just a holiday for Filipinos; it is also a time of revelry, celebration, and returning home to spend time with loved ones and friends. That is typically carried out in a number of different ways, including throwing parties, singing karaoke, and, of course, eating and drinking. A Filipino Christmas is incomplete without a blowout!
Even though Christmas is a time to have a good time, it's important to keep yourself in check, especially when it comes to how much and what we eat. Meals that are flavorful and savory may also contain a lot of sodium or sugar, which may actually make it more likely that you will develop kidney stones.
Most of the time, kidney stones form when there is too much crystal-forming fluid in the urine and too much calcium, oxalate, and uric acid. This can make them tie together and solidify.
Dr. Letran says that during the holiday season, the best ways to avoid kidney stones are to prepare healthier foods, limit how much you eat, eat responsibly, and drink enough water.
Last but not least, if you experience or suspect kidney stones, it is best to seek treatment and advice from a reputable hospital.
CSMC’s
Urology and Stone Center offers
some of the most comprehensive urological services, not just in the
Philippines, but in Asia. Apart from services such as minimally invasive
surgeries of the genito-urinary tract for both benign and malignant conditions,
it offers various treatments for prostate cancer such as surgery, external beam
radiation and brachytherapy. The center also houses a state-of-the-art Richard
Wolf Piezolith 3000
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) machine which ensures precise and
effective disintegration of kidney stones, and is equipped with fluoroscopy and
ultrasound imaging to help locate stones more
accurately.
For more information about the programs and
services that CSMC offers, please visit https://cardinalsantos.com.ph/. CSMC is also on Facebook, like and follow them at www.facebook.com/CardinalSantos.
ABOUT
CARDINAL SANTOS MEDICAL CENTER
Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) is a 287-bed
private tertiary hospital located in West Greenhills, San Juan City. The
hospital is known for its pioneering and world-class services in the fields of
Neurosurgery, Oncology, Rehabilitation Medicine, Cardiology and
Gastroenterology. CSMC boasts of some of the most respected medical
professionals today with expertise in a variety of specialties, ensuring that
patients can access the healthcare that they need and deserve. With a
commitment to clinical excellence and a dedication to compassionate care, CSMC
is one of the most sought-after medical institutions in the country today.
