Kidney Stones Prevention

Prevention

Once you have formed a kidney stone, you are more likely to form another. Here are some steps to prevent this condition:

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
• Talk to your doctor about what diet is right for you. Depending on the type of stone you have, you may be advised to:
  • Avoid apple and grapefruit juices.
  • Drink more cranberry juice.
  • Avoid foods high in oxalate, such as spinach.
  • Eat less meat, fish, and poultry. These foods increase urine acidity.
  • Decrease your sodium intake (especially if you have calcium stones).
  • Increase your intake of magnesium .
  • Drink lemonade daily.
  • Increase your fiber intake.
  • Lose weight .
• If you have an enlarged parathyroid gland, you may need to have it removed surgically.
• Medications may include:
  • Drugs that control the amount of acid in the urine
  • Allopurinol or sodium cellulose phosphate—to treat urine high in calcium
  • Hydrochlorothiazide (a diuretic)—to treat urine high in calcium
  • Thiola—to reduce the amount of cystine in the urine