How to Prevent Kidney Stones

If you’ve experienced kidney stones once, odds are you’ll want to learn how to prevent them from forming again.

While the small, hard masses can be caused by family history and certain medications, there are some preventative measures you can take to ensure you don’t experience kidney stone pain again:

• Stay hydrated. Drinking at least 12 – 8 oz glasses of water a day will dilute the mineral concentration in your urine and reduce your risk of developing kidney stones.
• Lower sodium intake. Too much salt in your diet can cause excess calcium in your bloodstream, which increases the chance of developing kidney stones.
• Limit oxalate-rich foods. Chocolate, nuts, spinach, sweet potatoes, rhubarb, wheat germ, and black Indian tea can increase your chances of developing oxalate stones.
• Decrease the amount of animal protein you’re consuming. Too much animal protein can cause uric acid stones.
• Eat foods high in phytate. Certain fiber-rich foods that are high in phytate can prevent calcium from crystallizing, which prevents stones from forming.
• Eat more citrus. Citrus fruits and juices, such as lemon juice, increase the amount of citrate in the urine, which decreases the chance of calcium stones from forming.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity increases your risk of developing kidney stones.

When to Talk to Your Doctor About Kidney Stones

If you had a kidney stone and want to prevent getting them in the future, it’s important to speak to your urologist about the steps you should take. Here are a few questions to ask your physician if you’re concerned about kidney stones:

• What foods can I eat?
• What foods should I avoid?
• Should I limit calcium intake?
• Should I take medication to prevent kidney stones from forming in the future?
• Are there any tests I can take to find out why I get kidney stones?

Urologist in Orange County, CA

Contact the office of Southland Urology, at (714) 870-5970, for information on kidney stone prevention.