Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Preventing kidney stones: more water, less salt, balanced protein, keeping calcium and getting stone analysis.
Without prevention, about half of people who have had one stone get another. The steps below lower that risk.
Drink enough
Eat for stone prevention
Avoid unneeded supplements
Avoid high-dose vitamin C, vitamin D and calcium pills unless your doctor advises.
Keep a healthy weight and stay active
Obesity raises stone risk. Avoid crash diets.
Treat related conditions
Medical evaluation
After a stone, ask for stone analysis, blood tests and a 24-hour urine test if advised. These show what to change.
Medicines
Potassium citrate, thiazides or allopurinol may be prescribed for people who keep forming stones.
Follow-up
Repeat imaging or ultrasound as advised, especially for stones left in the kidney.
Ayurvedic lifestyle advice
Ayurveda recommends plenty of water, regular meals and avoiding suppressing urination. This is traditional and not proven to prevent stones.
Key point
More water, less salt, balanced protein and keeping calcium in the diet are the main steps.
Before your appointment
Note when the pain began, where it is, and whether you have noticed blood, fever, nausea or burning in your urine. Record how much you drink and pass urine in a day. List medicines and supplements, especially vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium and herbal products. Mention previous stones, gout, bowel surgery, urinary infections and family history. Bring earlier scans and reports. If you pass a stone, save it for analysis. Ask about tests, the stone type and a prevention plan. Call 112 for fever with pain or if you pass no urine.
Written By
Dr. Daksh
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
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