Preventing and Treating Kidney Stones
Up to 12 percent of Americans are affected by kidney stones.
Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that form inside your kidneys. They cause excruciating pain when they pass through your urinary tract.
There’s no one sure way to prevent kidney stones, especially if you have a family history of the condition. A combination of diet and lifestyle changes, as well as some medications, may help reduce your risk.
How to prevent kidney stones
1.
Stay Hydrated. Drinking more water is the best way to prevent kidney stones.
2.
Eat more calcium-rich foods. Taking calcium supplements with a meal may help reduce that risk.
3.
Eat less sodium. A high-salt diet increases your risk of calcium kidney stones. According to theUrology Care Foundation, too much salt in the urine prevents calcium from being reabsorbed from the urine to the blood.
4.
Eat fewer oxalate-rich foods. Limiting oxalate-rich foods may help prevent the stones from forming.
If you’re prone to certain types of kidney stones, certain medications can help control the amount of that material present in your urine. The type of medication prescribed will depend on the type of stones you usually get.
Kidney stones are common. There’s no guarantee that prevention methods will work, but they may reduce your risk. Your best bet for preventing kidney stones is staying hydrated and making certain dietary changes.
