Kidney stones occur when waste substances in the urine crystallize and harden inside the kidneys, forming solid stones. This condition can cause severe pain in the lower back that radiates to the abdomen or groin, along with nausea, vomiting, and a burning sensation during urination. In some cases, the urine may appear reddish due to the presence of blood. If left untreated, kidney stones can block the urinary tract, cause infection, lead to kidney swelling, and even result in permanent kidney damage. Therefore, it is important to understand effective ways to prevent kidney stones.
For patients who already have kidney stones, RS Mandaya Royal Puri offers a robotic arm technology called Zamenix, designed to accurately, precisely, and safely destroy kidney stones. The procedure is performed by an experienced urology professor specializing in robotic technology, Ponco Birowo, Sp.U(K), Ph.D.
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Ways to Prevent Kidney Stones
Below are several ways to prevent kidney stones that you can apply in your daily life:
1. Drink More Water
Adequate water intake helps dilute substances in the urine that can form stones. Aim to drink enough fluids to produce about 2 liters of urine per day, which equals roughly eight 8-ounce glasses. Citrate-rich beverages such as lemon water and orange juice may also help, as citrate can inhibit stone formation.
2. Meet Your Daily Calcium Needs
Insufficient calcium intake can actually increase oxalate levels in the body, raising the risk of kidney stones. Make sure your calcium intake matches your age requirements. It is best to obtain calcium from natural food sources, as excessive calcium supplements have been linked in some studies to a higher risk of kidney stones.
3. Limit Salt (Sodium) Intake
A high-sodium diet can increase calcium levels in the urine, triggering stone formation. It is recommended to limit sodium intake to no more than 2,300 mg per day. If sodium previously contributed to your kidney stones, reduce it further to 1,500 mg per day.
4. Reduce Excess Animal Protein
Excessive consumption of animal protein such as red meat, eggs, and seafood can raise uric acid levels, contributing to kidney stone formation. A high-protein diet may also reduce citrate levels in urine, a substance that helps prevent stones. If you are prone to kidney stones, limit your daily meat portion to about the size of a deck of cards.
5. Avoid Stone-Triggering Foods
Certain high-oxalate foods such as beets, chocolate, spinach, rhubarb, tea, and most nuts may increase the risk of kidney stones. Cola beverages contain phosphate, which can also contribute to stone formation. If you have a history of kidney stones, your doctor may recommend limiting or avoiding these foods.
6. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Obesity (Body Mass Index over 30) can double the risk of kidney stone recurrence in women and increase the risk by about 30% in men. Gradual weight loss through a healthier diet, regular physical activity such as brisk walking, structured weight-loss programs, or medical consultation is recommended.
7. Reduce Sugary Drink Consumption
Avoid high-sugar beverages that contain large amounts of fructose syrup, such as soft drinks, energy drinks, flavored beverages, or milkshakes. Excessive fructose intake is strongly associated with calcium oxalate kidney stones. Low-calorie or sugar-free carbonated drinks are generally safer when consumed in moderation.
Robotic Kidney Stone Treatment with Zamenix at RS Mandaya Puri
Zamenix is a multifunctional robotic arm designed to assist doctors in detecting, fragmenting, and removing kidney stones with high precision. This technology aims to improve procedural accuracy while maintaining patient safety.
Within one integrated system, the Zamenix robotic arm offers several advanced features:
- High-definition camera: Clearly visualizes the location and condition of kidney stones, even in narrow and hard-to-reach urinary tracts.
- Modern laser technology: Breaks down kidney stones, including hard stones, into smaller fragments for easier removal.
- Stone retrieval device: Removes and cleans residual stone fragments after fragmentation.
The entire robotic system is directly controlled by a urology specialist using a dedicated control console. This allows stable, precise, and well-directed movements, making the procedure safer. The integration of camera, laser, and retrieval device makes kidney stone treatment more effective, minimizes risks, and supports faster recovery.
Advantages of the Zamenix Robotic Arm at RS Mandaya Royal Puri
Here are several benefits of Zamenix technology:
1. No Incisions with Minimal Bleeding Risk
The procedure uses a small-diameter scope inserted through the urinary tract without open surgery. This technique reduces bleeding and infection risk while enhancing patient comfort.
2. Respiratory Synchronization Technology
Zamenix features respiratory synchronization, allowing the laser to follow the patient’s breathing rhythm. This improves stability during stone fragmentation, enhances precision, and reduces the risk of injury to surrounding healthy tissue.
3. Smart Navigation with Automatic Memory
The intelligent navigation system records the stone’s location. If the instrument needs to be temporarily withdrawn, it can automatically return to the same point, helping shorten procedure time and improve success rates.
4. Faster Recovery with Lower Complication Risk
Because the procedure is incision-free with minimal bleeding, recovery time is generally shorter. Patients can usually go home sooner and face a lower risk of postoperative complications compared to conventional techniques.
Kidney Stone and Robotic Technology Expert at RS Mandaya Puri
Kidney stone treatment using the Zamenix robotic arm at RS Mandaya Royal Puri is handled by Ponco Birowo, Sp.U(K), Ph.D, a consultant urology specialist widely recognized in the field. He has extensive experience managing various kidney stone cases, including complex urinary tract conditions.
Prof. Ponco completed his medical and urology specialist training at Universitas Indonesia, followed by advanced training as an Andro-Urology Consultant. He earned his Ph.D. from Hannover Medical School, Germany, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2009. In addition to clinical practice, he is a Professor at Universitas Indonesia and actively contributes to the advancement of urology in Indonesia.
Conditions Treated Include:
- Kidney stones, including robotic stone procedures and PCNL
- Bladder disorders
- Prostate enlargement and abnormalities
- Various kidney disorders
Practice Schedule at RS Mandaya Royal Puri
- Tuesday: 16:00 – 18:00 WIB
- Thursday: 16:00 – 18:00 WIB
To make your visit easier, you can use the WhatsApp Chat feature, Book Appointment service, or download the Care Dokter application via Google Play or the App Store to check queue numbers and access complete information.
