Kidney stones are mineral and acid salts crystallized into a hard deposit found in one or both kidneys. There are many known causes of kidney stones, according to MayoClinic.com. Most patients don't need medical treatment, though passing the stones can be extremely painful. Walking helps move the stones, according to UrologyChannel.com.
Symptoms
Kidney stones often are accompanied by severe pain on one side of your back just under the rib cage. Often there is pain spreading down to the abdomen; also, it may be difficult to urinate. Urine may be brown, red or pink and you may develop a high fever with chills. You may find yourself constantly getting up to move or walk around, but find that no position is effective at relieving the pain, according to MayoClinic.com.
Diagnosis
Speak with your doctor about whether you are healthy enough to walk prior to starting any new exercise program. Your doctor will conduct blood and urine tests to rule out conditions other than kidney stones. A computed tomography image may be taken of your kidneys to show any stones. You also will be asked to urinate into a strainer designed to catch any stones that do pass to analyze what is causing the stones.
Treatment
More than 90 percent of patients with kidney stones smaller than four millimeters in diameter do not require medical intervention according to UrologyChannel.com. The rate drops to 50 percent for stones up to seven millimeters in diameter. Small stones eventually will work their way down to the ureter and pass during urination though certain medications like alpha blockers decrease the time it takes. Water is recommended to flush the system out with walking as the primary activity that helps to pass the stones. Surgery is required in a smaller percentage of cases where the stones are too large to pass.
Prevention
The National Kidney Foundation recommends walking as part of a healthy lifestyle promoting proper kidney function. Going for a daily walk or even just taking the stairs at work reduces a sedentary lifestyle. It is also important to drink enough water and make dietary changes to reduce the minerals and acids creating the stones. A low salt diet with reduced animal proteins reduces the risk of kidney stone formation. Obesity and sedentary lifestyles are linked to kidney stone occurrence along with dehydration, being male and high-sodium diets.
Considerations
While waiting for stones to pass, it is important to continue to eat and drink calcium-rich foods to prevent affecting other mineral balances in your kidneys according to the UrologyChannel.com. Stop taking calcium supplements unless directed by your doctor. Supplements may not break down completely and contribute to stone formation, according to MayoClinic.com. If you are unable to walk due to the pain of your kidney stones, consult your doctor immediately.
