Reducing Your Risk of Kidney Stones

If you are hesitant to drink too much during the day because you have a bladder control problem, discuss this concern with your doctor. Points to remember: Drink at least 12 cups of fluids each day. Limit your intake of caffeinated beverages. Your urine should be pale in color. Watch Your Diet Whether or not diet can help you avoid another kidney stone depends on what kind of stone you had and what caused it to form in the first place. If your stone was made up of calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, or uric acid, what you eator don't eatcan help prevent a recurrence. Note that these are only guidelines. People taking some kinds of medications may need to avoid certain foods. Always follow the advice of your doctor or registered dietitian in making any diet changes. Nutrients to consider include: Calcium Limiting calcium intake either from your diet or dietary supplement does not reduce your risk of getting kidney stone. Oxalate Oxalate is a substance found in certain plant foods that binds with calcium and other minerals in the intestine. If your body is not absorbing and using calcium correctly, you could end up with too much oxalate in your urine. You can reduce the level of oxalate in your system by avoiding these foods:

Spinach Rhubarb Strawberries Chocolate Wheat bran Nuts Beets Brewed tea Protein A diet high in animal proteinfrom meat, chicken, and fishmay cause your body to release too much calcium, uric acid, and citrate into your urine. If you consume a lot of these foods, you may be asked to plan meals that include less meat and more of other kinds of foods, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans. Sodium Likewise, a diet that includes a lot of salt (sodium) can cause your body to excrete too much calcium into your urine. You may be asked to reduce your intake of salty foods and to not use salt in cooking or at the table. Check with your doctor before using a salt substitute. Foods high in salt include: Lunch meats, cured meats like ham, sausage, and bacon Salted snacks Prepared salad dressings, mustard, catsup, soy sauce, barbecue sauce Pickled foods, olives Canned soup, bouillon Alkaline Ash Diet In some cases, the best way to avoid another stone is to manipulate the pH balance of the urine. Uric acid, calcium oxalate, and cystine stones form more readily in acidic urine, so this prevention strategy hinges on keeping the urine slightly alkaline. This is usually done with medication, but your doctor might ask you to help it along by making some dietary changes as well.

Ask for a written list of instructions if your doctor wants you to follow this diet. Generally, all fruits (except for cranberries, prunes, and plums) and all vegetables (except for corn and lentils) make the urine more alkaline. Points to remember: You may be asked to make some changes to your diet. You may need to avoid some foods while taking certain medications. Follow the advice of your doctor or dietitian in making any diet changes. Talk to Your Doctor About Medications for Prevention There may be some medications that can help you from forming another kidney stone. It will depend on what kind of kidney stone you had and why it developed. Talk with your doctor to determine if there are any medications that may be helpful for your particular situation. References: National Kidney Foundation website. Available at: http://www.kidney.org/ . Taylor EN, Curhan GC. Diet and fluid prescription in stone disease. Kidney Int. 2006;70:835-839 Borghi L, Meschi T, Maggiore U, Prati B. Dietary therapy in idiopathic nephrolithiasis. Nutr Rev. 2006;64:301-312. Last reviewed February 2007 by David Juan, MD Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.