If your mother begins to experience a very sharp pain that is centered on her lower back, she might be suffering from kidney stones. When she feels the urge to use the bathroom, she may find that she is only able to urinate a small amount. The pain may also become worse when changing positions. If you notice the symptoms of kidney stones, you may need to modify your loved one's diet to help him or her avoid the development of further kidney stones.
Symptoms Of A Kidney Stone
Your loved one will either be unable to urinate the normal amount or will experience considerable pain when he or she does manage to urinate normally. Also, ask your loved one if he or she notices changes in the color or consistency of the urine. Those with kidney stones can sometimes have blood in the urine. This is important to relay to a doctor because blood in the urine can be an indication of more than simply kidney stones. The more blood and discomfort, the larger the stone is likely to be.
The Best Diet For Preventing A Kidney Stone
One of the best ways to avoid the consequences of kidney stones is to avoid trigger foods. Salty foods, animal proteins, carbonated drinks and nuts are all likely to cause kidney stones. Your loved one should try to drink as often as possible. Many who suffer from kidney stones will try to drink less frequently because they believe that drinking too often will simply lead to more trips to the bathroom. However, drinking less frequently leads to a buildup of bacteria, which can cause other health problems.
Treating The Symptoms
While pain medications can sometimes help, it is better to use non-medical methods of treating pain associated with kidney stones, such as encouraging your loved one to take a long, hot bath. The heat from the bath can help the muscles relax, which reduces tension in the area.
Speaking With A Doctor
Always take your loved one to the doctor to make sure that he or she is not suffering from a more serious condition, such as a urinary tract infection, and to also receive medical advice on how to treat the kidney stones. A decrease in appetite, incontinence and confusion can all be signs of a urinary tract infection. Helping your loved one cope with kidney stones and other medical troubles can be very time-consuming and difficult, so it may be best to hire an in-home care specialist who can ensure that your loved one makes decisions that help prevent conditions such as these. Click here to learn more about supportive in home care.
Share21 February 2016
When my mother fell at home and broke her hip, we all thought that we were going to have no choice to put her in a nursing home when she got out of the hospital. My mother had always asked us kids to avoid putting her in any kind of home, but we didn’t know what else we could do. None of us were capable of giving her the kind of rehabilitation and care that she needed. Then her doctor suggested that we find out if her insurance covered in-home care. I didn’t even know that that was an option. I was pleased to discover that in-home care was covered by her plan. Now she gets great care from nurses and nurse assistants that come right to her in her home, where she wants to be. It’s a great option, and I’m so glad we have it.
