Five ways to prevent kidney stones
According to the National Kidney Foundation, 1 in 10 people will develop kidney stones in their lifetime. In the US, medical professionals are noticing an upward trend. Despite this reality, there are still many ways to prevent and treat kidney stones. Dr. Cletus Georges, a urology specialist, shares five practical ways to prevent kidney stones.
Hydrate right
Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water a day can help prevent the formation of kidney stones. When a person doesn’t hydrate, they might have lower urine output. The body also loses water when it sweats, and the lack of fluids might lead stone-causing minerals to form in the kidneys and urinary tract. Those who engage in a lot of physical activity or have a history of cystine stones may need to drink more than the usual amount of water.
Have a high-calcium diet
While some kidney stones are usually made of calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate, this doesn’t mean that the mineral should be left out of one’s diet. Experts like Dr. Cletus Georges say that it’s actually quite the opposite. Dietary calcium can lessen the concentration of oxalate in the urine, preventing the formation of stones.
Lessen animal protein
Consuming meats like red meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood will prevent high uric acid levels that can lead to stones in the urinary tract. While cutting off these proteins might not be possible for everyone, those at risk of kidney stones must consume an amount of animal protein that is as big as a deck of cards.
Reduce foods that are rich in oxalate
These foods include peanuts, rhubarb, spinach, beets, chocolate, and sweet potatoes. Individuals considered “stone formers” must control their intake of these foods to prevent calcium oxalate stones from accumulating in the kidneys.
Cut back on sodium
Too much salt in one’s diet can cause high urine calcium that might lead to kidney stones. Reducing the intake of processed meats, artificial seasonings, sodium nitrate, sodium bicarbonate, junk food, and other sodium-rich foods will help a person prevent the formation of kidney stones.
Preventing kidney stones is possible with the right lifestyle and diet choices. One can become healthier by being mindful of their eating, drinking, and exercise habits.
Dr. Cletus Georges attended Weill Cornell University Medical College in New York City, graduating in 1991. He completed his residency in urology at Chicago’s Northwestern University McGaw Medical Center in 1997. Visit this page for more updates on kidney health.
