How Can I Prevent Them?
You can do many things to prevent a recurrence of kidney stones. Knowing the stone's specific mineral composition can help determine which preventive steps are most likely to reduce your risk of recurrence. Check with your doctor before making any major changes in your diet, but these general guidelines, for many people, can help.
- Drink at least 3 quarts of liquid every day -- and more in hot weather. Drinking plenty of water is probably the most important way to prevent future stones, since this will dilute the mineral concentration in your urine.
- Avoid -- or eat sparingly -- foods containing oxalate: chocolate, celery, grapes, bell peppers, rhubarb, beans, strawberries, spinach, asparagus, beets, black tea, and vitamin C supplements.
- Ask your doctor about taking daily supplements of vitamin B-6 (10 mg) and magnesium (300 mg). Both of these reduce the formation of oxalates.
- Avoid foods that raise uric acid levels: anchovies, sardines, organ meats, and brewer's yeast. If the level of uric acid in your urine is high, your doctor may advise eating a low-protein diet or taking medications to decrease urinary uric acid.
- Avoid taking too many antacids containing calcium. Take any calcium supplements with food, if they're recommended by your doctor.
- Reduce your salt intake to no more than 3 grams a day, since higher amounts may raise the level of calcium in your urine.
- Avoid vitamin D supplements since these can increase urinary calcium levels.
- Drinking a glass of lemonade each day, in a Mayo Clinic study, was helpful in reducing the risk of new kidney stones.
WebMD Medical Reference
SOURCES: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. American Academy of Family Physicians. The Mayo Clinic. The Urology Institute.
Reviewed by Robert B. Hoit, MD on July 01, 2007
© 2005 WebMD, Inc. All rights reserved.
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