Prevent Kidney Stones | How to tips and tricks

Kidney stones, which are also known as renal lithiasis or calculi, are solid deposits that originate in the kidney. Initially, these deposits are microscopic; however, they can grow into larger stones. Kidney stone prevention is important, because these tiny stones can result in excruciating pain as they descend from your kidneys to your bladder. In some instances, kidney stones become lodged in the ureter and block the flow of urine. Fortunately, making the correct dietary decisions can prevent the development of kidney stones, especially if you fall into a higher-risk category.

Identifying Risk Factors
Ask close relatives if they have had kidney stones. You are at greater risk for developing stones if family members have experienced kidney stones. Studies show that kidney stones appear to be more common in people with Asian and Caucasian backgrounds than for Native Americans, Africans, or African Americans.

Watch your weight.
Research suggests that people with a high body mass index and larger waist sizes are at greater risk for the development of kidney stones. Body weight, not diet or fluid intake, appears to be the greatest risk factor for kidney stones. Eat a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise to reduce your weight and your risk.

Consider age and gender
Men between 30 and 50 years old and postmenopausal women are the most likely to get kidney stones.

Medical conditions
Certain surgical procedures and medical conditions increase your risk of kidney stones. These include: Gastric bypass or other intestinal surgery Urinary tract infections Inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn's disease Chronic diarrhea Renal tubular acidosis Hyperparathyroidism Insulin resistance

Different kidney stones
There are four different kinds of kidney stones. The first step in being able to prevent kidney stones is knowing what causes them. Different kidney stones are caused by different lifestyle factors and diet decisions. Calcium stones. Calcium stones come in two forms: calcium oxalate stones and calcium phosphate stones. Calcium oxalate stones are the most common form of kidney stone. Calcium stones are often caused by high sodium intake. Uric acid stones. Uric acid stones form when urine is very acidic, and are often because the patient has a diet high in animal protein (meat, fish, shellfish). Struvite stones. These are usually caused by kidney infections. Staying free of infection can usually stop struvite stones. Cystine stones. These are formed when cystine leaks into the kidneys, resulting in stones. Cystine stones are caused by a genetic disorder.

Diet
Drink plenty of water. You may have heard the “eight glasses a day” rule, but research suggests that you may actually need more than that. The Institute of Medicine recommends that men drink about 13 cups (three liters) of fluids per day. Women should drink about nine cups (2.2 liters) of fluids per day. If you’re sick or you exercise a lot, you’ll need to drink more. Water is the best choice. Drinking a half-cup of fresh-squeezed lemon juice daily raises the citrate levels in your urine, which can help reduce your risk of developing calcium kidney stones. Experts no longer recommend orange juice, as it raises oxalate levels. Be cautious with grapefruit juice, apple juice, and cranberry juice. Several studies have linked grapefruit juice to an increased risk of kidney stones, although not all studies agree. Apple and cranberry juice both contain oxalates, which are linked to the development of kidney stones. Cranberry juice may increase your risk for calcium oxalate and uric acid stones. However, it may help prevent the less-common types of stones, such as struvite and brushite stones, and it’s good for overall kidney function. Talk with your doctor about whether consuming these juices is a good idea for you.