Ouch. That sudden, excruciating pain in the back, side or lower abdomen could be a kidney stone. Kidney stones in adults are more prevalent among men than women, tend to develop in middle age, and recurrence is common. Fortunately, however, they can be prevented.
"Increased water intake to the point where urine output is more than two liters a day may help prevent kidney stones," says Ralph Clayman, M.D., director of the Midwest Stone Institute. That means drinking a glass of water every hour during the day, and whenever you wake at night.
You can easily up your water consumption by carrying bottled water at all times. Remember to bring water to the gym, and rehydrate after any physical exercise. Flavor your H2O with crushed mint leaves or slices of fresh citrus fruit.
Personal chef James Naish of Berkeley, Calif., suggests floating sliced strawberries and lemon in a thermos of mineral water that you bring to work. For a hot drink, add honey and lemon to hot water. Instead of alcoholic drinks, Naish says to try sparkling water cocktails with a twist of citrus.
Most kidney stones are comprised of calcium oxylate crystals. To prevent them, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases recommends eating less chocolate, coffee, cola, beets, nuts, spinach, strawberries and tea. These foods are all high in oxalates. To prevent the less common uric acid stones, cut back on meat consumption.
