If you have suffered from a kidney stone, you know just how painful it can be, and if you haven’t, you definitely don’t want one. So what are some ways you can avoid them? Find out below.
What causes kidney stones?Lowering Your Risk Of Kidney Stones
The best treatment for kidney stones is to avoid getting them all together. Some people may be more susceptible to kidney stones and run a greater risk based on their genetics, but they can still take steps to lower the risk. Some steps include:
Lifestyle Changes
Drink the recommended amount of fluid each day.
A low urine level can cause kidney stones, so drinking enough water or fluids is the first step in preventing kidney stones. A good amount of liquid to aim for each day is about 100oz or 3 liters. It’s also a good idea to make sure that most of the fluid you drink is water and replace fluids lost when sweating.
Reduce Salt Intake
If you have a high sodium intake, you can benefit by lowering your sodium intake to the recommended level of fewer than 2,300 mg per day.
If you have a high sodium intake, you can benefit by lowering your sodium intake to the recommended level of fewer than 2,300 mg per day.
Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables.
Fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins and minerals that can reduce your chance of developing a kidney stone. By eating 5 to 9 servings of fruit and vegetables per day, you can increase your potassium, fiber, magnesium, antioxidants, phytate, and citrate levels. Ultimately, this can help lower your risk.
Fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins and minerals that can reduce your chance of developing a kidney stone. By eating 5 to 9 servings of fruit and vegetables per day, you can increase your potassium, fiber, magnesium, antioxidants, phytate, and citrate levels. Ultimately, this can help lower your risk.
Eat a low oxalate diet.
Foods that contain high oxalate levels can increase your chance of kidney stones. Popular foods that contain high oxalate levels include spinach, rhubarb, and almonds. In addition, you can also eat calcium-rich foods with your meals to help control your oxalate levels.
Foods that contain high oxalate levels can increase your chance of kidney stones. Popular foods that contain high oxalate levels include spinach, rhubarb, and almonds. In addition, you can also eat calcium-rich foods with your meals to help control your oxalate levels.
The UPMC has created a good document for learning about oxalate levels in food. Check it out here: Low Oxalate Diet
Eat less meat
Animal protein can increase your urine uric acid and lead to calcium oxalate or cystine stones. If you have a recurring stone, your doctor may ask you to eat less meat or to reduce meat consumption to once per day.
Animal protein can increase your urine uric acid and lead to calcium oxalate or cystine stones. If you have a recurring stone, your doctor may ask you to eat less meat or to reduce meat consumption to once per day.
Medications
If lifestyle changes haven’t been enough to stop your kidney stones, your doctor may prescribe medication. Some medications include:
- Thiazide diuretics - lowers the urine calcium by allowing the kidney to put it back in the bloodstream.
- Potassium citrate - makes the urine less acidic or more alkaline which can help prevent kidney stones.
- Allopurinol - lowers the levels of uric acid in the urine and blood.
- Acetohydroxamic acid (AHA) - if you produce struvite or infection stones, AHA may be prescribed.
- Cystine-binding thiol drugs - If you suffer from cystine stones and lifestyle changes have been unsuccessful; you may be prescribed this medication.
Are You Suffering From Kidney Stones?
Are you struggling with kidney stones and lifestyle changes, aren’t cutting it? At Urology Health Solutions, we can diagnose and treat your stones. We will create a treatment plan based on your needs and discuss the process every step of the way.
I think I have a kidney stone