Kidney stones can affect up to 12 percent of Americans and I, unfortunately, fell into those statistics during my weekend vacation in Catalina. I was there to celebrate my birthday and a few hours later I was in the Emergency Room (ER). It all started when I awoke from a nap in excruciating pain. It was unbearable, but I tried to walk it off. However, the pain just kept rising and rising. That is when I called for a taxi and made my way to the ER. Once there, I was diagnosed with a kidney stone and spent the next 6 hours trying to pass the stone, which I successfully did.
RELATED: 5 Natural Remedies To Prevent & Dissolve Kidney Stones
It was during that painful memorable moment that I knew I would do everything I could to prevent another kidney stone. If you are like me and have already had a kidney stone, then we are 50 percent more likely to have one in the next ten years. Although this may seem far into the future, we can still do our part to avoid this. A terrific way to do that is to watch how we care for our bodies and what we put into them. Keep reading to see how you and I can actively prevent our next kidney stone or aid someone in never getting one.
How to prevent kidney stones
1. Hydration
Staying hydrated is a sure-fire way to prevent a kidney stone. When you drink more, you produce a healthy flow of urine. Low urine means more concentration. So, try and drink at least eight glasses of water daily. Lemonade and orange juice are good options as well if you find yourself needing a break from water. A healthy color of urine is clear or pale yellow (like lemonade).
2. Consume Calcium-rich foods
Since the most common kidney stone is calcium oxalate, consuming these foods will aid you:
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- Low-fat milk
- Low-fat cheese
- Low-fat yogurt
- Collard greens
3. Less Sodium
Avoiding salty food increases your chance of preventing calcium-oxalate kidney stones. When you have too much salt in your pee, the calcium cannot be reabsorbed back into the blood. Avoid these foods and began to buy products that say less sodium and/or use less salt to flavor food:
- Chips and crackers
- Canned soups
- Condiments
- Lunch meats
RELATED: 6 Things That Happen to Your Body When You Consume Too Much Salt
4. Less Oxalate-rich foods
Kidney Stones are made of Oxalate, eating less of these foods helps your body avoid making these stones:
- Chocolate
- Peanuts
- Spinach
- Drinking coffee
5. Less animal protein
Foods high in animal protein increase your chances of forming two types of stones (uric acid and calcium oxalate). So be careful not to eat too much of these:
- Beef
- Fish
- Pork
- Poultry
RELATED: Cutting Down on Meat? These Plant-based Proteins Can Help
6. Avoid Vitamin C Supplements
High doses of Vitamin C taken daily can cause calcium oxalate kidney stones, so being careful when taking this supplement. You can still eat food with Vitamin C in it.
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7. Herbal Remedies
If you are into more natural remedies, try Chanca Piedra, which is an herbal kidney and gallbladder stone breaker. It is a folk remedy and thought to help stop calcium-oxalate stones from forming.
If you decide to use it, please be mindful that this and other remedies may not be well-regulated or researched for the prevention of kidney stones.
In conclusion, nobody wants to experience the pain that is a kidney stone. These seven ways can help prevent your first kidney stone or avoid a recurring one.
Whichever the case, following a well-balanced diet, including exercise, can help you and I succeed on this journey. Now, the next time you are grocery shopping make sure you read those labels and use this list to help you find the right foods for you.
