8 Ways to Prevent Kidney Stones

Staying hydrated, reducing sodium and calcium intake, and a few other lifestyle changes can reduce the likelihood of developing kidney stones.

We produce urine to excrete waste and excess water from our bodies; however, sometimes crystals can develop in urine and eventually cause kidney stones. Kidney stones can cause bloody urine, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills, lower back pain, as well as foul-smelling and cloudy urine.

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Types of Kidney Stones

According to the National Kidney Foundation, nearly 1 in 10 people develop kidney stones, and each year, more than half a million people go to the emergency room for issues related to kidney stones.

There are four types of kidney stones: calcium oxalate, uric acid, struvite, and cystine stones. We described these kidney stones and their causes below.

• Calcium Oxalate Stones: This is the most common type of kidney stone caused by insufficient calcium and fluid intake. Calcium combines with oxalate - a natural compound found in most foods and within the urine.
• Uric Acid Stones: These types of stones form when the levels of uric acid in your urine are too high.
• Struvite Stones: A struvite is a classification for kidney stones caused by upper urinary tract infections from bacteria.
• Cystine Stones: Typically larger than other kidney stones, cystine stones are caused by a rare disorder called “cystinuria.”

How to Prevent Kidney Stones

Below we describe eight steps you can take to prevent kidney stone development. Preventing kidney stones often requires just a few lifestyle changes, including increasing fluid intake, decreasing sodium intake, and increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables.

1. Stay Hydrated

A primary risk factor for developing kidney stones is dehydration. According to General Practitioner Dr. David Beatty of Strong Home Gym, “if you drink plenty of fluids, this will keep your urine more dilute.”

Dr. Beatty recommends aiming for “2-4 Litres [of water] per day as long as you don’t have any other medical condition that can cause fluid overload.”

2. Reduce Sodium Intake

Your risk of developing kidney stones increases when you consume more sodium. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an adult should aim to keep their daily salt intake below 2,300 milligrams (mg).

3. Reduce Animal Protein Intake

The high acidity of animal protein can cause both calcium-oxalate and uric-acid kidney stones.

4. Consume Calcium-Rich Foods

Surprisingly, eating a diet high in calcium may reduce your risk of calcium-oxalate kidney stones.

5. Limit Oxalate-Rich Foods

Oxalates are a natural compound found in food that can contribute to the formation of calcium-oxalate kidney stones.

6. Eat Plenty of Fruits and Veggies

Fruits and vegetables contain a whole host of properties to help fight off kidney stones.

7. Avoid Vitamin C Supplements

Taking vitamin C supplements may increase your risk of developing kidney stones.

8. Check Your Over-The-Counter Medications

The type of kidney stone you have determines the type of medication your doctor may prescribe.

Kidney Stones Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the common symptoms of kidney stones?

It’s important to get your urine checked as soon as possible if you have any signs of urine infection, such as stinging when you pass water, smelly urine, or fever.

What is the treatment for kidney stones?

According to the National Kidney Foundation, treating kidney stones often begins with the directive to drink a lot of water to pass the stone naturally.

How are kidney stones diagnosed?

Your doctor will likely obtain your medical history, do a physical examination, blood test, and urine sample.

What if kidney stones are left untreated?

According to Dr. Beatty, most stones are small, pass spontaneously and leave no lasting damage.

Bottom Line

A fundamental way to prevent kidney stones is staying hydrated and modifying your diet to eat certain fruits and vegetables while reducing salt intake.