How to Prevent Kidney Stones

Kidney stones affect half a million people every year, most often white males between the ages of 30 and 50. By following these preventive steps you'll lessen your chances of affliction.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Bottled Water

1. Eat less meat. Due to increased intake of animal proteins, the incidence of kidney stones is 10 times more prevalent now than it was at the turn of the century.

2. Drink plenty of fluids - one study has shown that people who drink more than 2 1/2 liters of water every day have almost a 40 percent decrease in the risk of developing a stone than those who drank less water.

3. Limit consumption of grapefruit juice and cola drinks. Studies have shown that these may actually increase the risk of developing stones.

4. Adopt a diet high in potassium and magnesium - these minerals decrease the likelihood of kidney stones.

5. Talk to your doctor about taking supplements such as pyridoxine and magnesium. Taken together, these reduce oxalate, a mineral salt found in kidney stones.

6. Limit your calcium and salt intake.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk with a doctor or nutritionist about making dietary changes.

• If you have had a kidney stone before, you are at high risk to get another one. Preventive measures are important.

• Kidney stones are collections of mineral salts combined with calcium. They can lodge anywhere in your urinary tract and cause intense pain.

• Contact your doctor immediately if you suspect you may have kidney stones - they can lead to kidney failure if left unchecked.