Kidney stones can be uncomfortable in the best-case scenario and downright painful in the worst. Though they typically do not result in long-term complications or health concerns, kidney stones can also be alarming. Whether you have had kidney stones once before or a handful of times, you may wonder what you can do to prevent reoccurrences. The good news is that prevention is fairly simple and typically entails eating the foods, drinking plenty of water and taking your medicines as recommended.
Kidney Stone Prevention
Kidney stone prevention falls into two main categories: lifestyle changes and medications. Through a combination of both, you can significantly reduce your chances of developing a first or reoccurring episode of kidney stones.
Lifestyle Changes
One of the most effective ways of reducing your risk of kidney stones is through lifestyle changes. Below are the top changes you can make to keep your kidneys, and body, healthy:
- Hydrate: Kidney stones of all types begin when there is an uneven mineral-to-fluid ratio in the urine, meaning there is a higher concentration of crystal-forming minerals and substances than there is of the fluid necessary to dilute it. The most common cause of this imbalance is dehydration. If you have a history of kidney stones, health professionals recommend drinking enough to pass approximately two liters, or 2.1 quarts, of urine each day. You may need to ask your doctor how to measure urine output to ensure you are consuming enough liquids.
If you live in a hot, dry climate, you may need to drink more than the recommended amount of water to produce the appropriate level of urine. You will know your urine output is healthy if it is clear or light in color.
- Eat a Low-Salt, Low-Animal Protein Diet: Salt increases the amount of calcium your kidneys must filter, and calcium is a top cause of kidney stones. For your kidneys’ health and the health of your overall body, try to reduce your salt intake as much as possible, trying to keep it at least below 2,000 mg per day. You should also limit your intake of animal protein and instead opt for plant-based options, such as beans and legumes.
- Consume Fewer Oxalate-Rich Foods: Oxalate is the primary cause of oxalate stones. If you eat foods that are high in oxalate calcium, such as swiss chard, spinach, beets, okra, rhubarb, nuts, sweet potatoes, chocolate, tea, soy products and black pepper, try to cut back. Though these foods are good for you, they can increase your risk of kidney stones if consumed in high amounts.
- Reconsider Calcium Supplements: Calcium-rich foods in and of themselves do not have an adverse effect on your kidneys. However, calcium supplements have been linked to calcium-related kidney stones, as they may cause your body to absorb more calcium than it can filter efficiently. Only take calcium supplements if your doctor determines you have a calcium deficiency, and even then, have your calcium levels checked regularly.
Medications for Kidney Stone Prevention
If you tend to form certain kinds of stones, or if your doctor determines you are at risk for developing stones, he or she may prescribe preventative medications. The type of medication your doctor prescribes depends on the type or types of stones for which you are at risk of developing:
- Calcium Stones: Doctors commonly prescribe phosphate-containing solutions or thiazide diuretics to help reduce the risk of calcium-related stones.
- Uric Acid Stones: To reduce acid levels in the urine and blood and, therefore, to reduce the risk of uric acid stones, your doctor may prescribe a medication to keep your urine levels alkaline, such as allopurinol. If necessary, your doctor may also prescribe an alkalizing agent to complement the medication.
- Cystine Stones: Reducing the risk for cystine stones typically entails making healthy lifestyle changes, such as reducing salt and protein intake and drinking more fluids. However, if these changes produce little to no effect, your doctor may also prescribe a medication designed to increase the solubility of cystine in your urine.
- Struvite Stones: Preventing struvite stones entails keeping your urine as free of infection-causing bacteria as possible. A large part of doing this involves increasing urine outflow. However, if your risk for infection is particularly high, such as after surgery or following a urinary tract infection, your doctor may prescribe small and intermittent doses of antibiotics to kill off infection-causing bacteria.
