Saturday, July 11, 2009

Living Well

5 Summertime Tips to Prevent Kidney Stones

Heat, sweat, and dehydration can lead to a painful condition. Here's how to protect yourself

Posted July 15, 2008

Summer heat, sweat, and dehydration have always been a perfect recipe for kidney stones. And as the world warms, scientists now say, those painful formations will become more common. Since it's as important as ever to take precautions, here are five tips:

A lab scientist holds a kidney stone for display.
A lab scientist holds a kidney stone for display.

1. Drink a lot of water. For people with a history of kidney stones, the Mayo Clinic recommends drinking 14 cups of fluid a day.

2. Don't shy away from lemonade. Lemonade increases levels of citrate in the urine, a substance that helps prevent kidney stone formation.

3. Avoid food high in oxalate. If you're prone to calcium oxalate stones, you may want to avoid foods high in oxalate. The NIH keeps a list of foods high in oxalate that includes (from higher oxalate to lower): rhubarb, spinach, beets, swiss chard, wheat germ, soybean crackers, peanuts, okra, chocolate, black Indian tea, and sweet potatoes.

4. Eat less salt. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that people not eat more than 1,500 mg of salt per day (about 1 teaspoon). According to the Cleveland Clinic, eating too much salt can lead to excess calcium in the bloodstream, a situation that can cause the development of stones.

5. Cut back on meat. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends no more than two servings a day. The breakdown of proteins in red meat forms uric acid, a substance that, in excess, can produce uric acid stones, as well as gout.

Sources: the Mayo Clinic, the National Institutes of Health, the Cleveland Clinic, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

For more: Check out the U.S. News's Kidney Stone Channel or read this week's news about kidney stones.

Reader Comments

stopping kidney stones

I've had about 25 kidney stones in the past 29 years. Calcium oxalate stones, which account for about 80 percent of stones. I couldn't stop the formation, and the pain has been horrific over the years. I've had lithotripsies, a surgery of sound waves that can break the stones into smaller pieces to pass. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it makes you pass more (smaller) stones with more pain.

I finally found an herb that naturally eliminates the stones, both preventatively and even while in the kidney. In 3.5 years now, I haven't had a kidney stone, so I take four capsules a day, two in morning and two at night. www.NoMoreStones.com I suggest that anyone suffering from kidney stones, esp. the hard, calcium oxalate stones, to take this herb. It's clinically tested and safe... Works for me, and I've searched for many years for a solution.

kidney stones - 5 years

i am 13 and i have have kidney stones for 5 years. i have them in the right and left kidneys and they aren't getting any better. they are getting bigger and more painful. i need to go the the children hospital in Philadelphia every month. i also have intercostal condridous, asthma, and tendinitis in my feet. even with all of this, i am a field hockey starter and never quit. but now i need surgery. which i wave never gotten before, and i am so terrified. i hope i will be okay and as everyone have told me: a little bit longer and ill be fine <33

4mmstone

My stone was blasted last tues-did not work still in the left kidney-I am playing a trip across the map with a hope and prayer nothing happpens-the doc wants my body to heal a few months before he does anything or he thinks maybe with the fluids I may pass it-it is not to big to have that happen

Add your thoughts

Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

advertisement

advertisement

Featured Video

HealthiNation Video: What Is Breast Cancer?

What Is Breast Cancer?

Watch how cancer forms inside the breast, and learn the possible signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

HealthiNation Video: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Learning About Depression

Depression is more than just a "down mood."

HealthiNation Video: Learning About Cancer

Learning About Cancer

Detailed explanations about the chemotherapy process and how cancer cells form in the body.

Understanding Chemotherapy

Learn why chemotherapy often plays a large part in cancer treatment.

Bernadine Healy, M.D. Video

Bernadine Healy, M.D.

Dr. Healy gives a tour through one of America's Best Hospitals, discusses how diet affects genes, and more.

advertisement

Put U.S. News on Your Site

Keep up with the latest headlines by adding our news widget to your website.
Get this widget ยป

advertisement

Our panel of experts weighs in on your health concerns. Ask one of our experts a question here.

Read more Health Advice

Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our Terms and Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.
Make USNews.com your home page.