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5 Things You Should Know about Kidney Stone Prevention

Apr 3, 2019
 

Kidney stones are no fun. Some people say they’re more painful than childbirth. Whether you’ve had a kidney stone before or not, it’s a good idea to do whatever you can to prevent this painful condition. Some people seem more prone to kidney stones than others, but the truth is that everyone is at risk, especially if you don’t take precautions. Here are five things you can start doing today to prevent a future bout with a painful kidney stone:

  1. Drink plenty of water: Water seems like the magical cure for all types of problems, but it’s especially important to prevent kidney stones. Water dilutes the substances in urine that develop into kidney stones. Aim to drink eight glasses of water a day.
  2. Meet your daily calcium needs: A diet that isn’t rich in calcium means that you’re at a greater risk of kidney stone formation. Dairy products are a great way to meet your calcium goals, but also consider taking a calcium supplement.
  3. Lower sodium intake: So much of what we eat throughout the day is overloaded with sodium. The good news is adopting a low-sodium diet also puts you at a reduced risk for developing high blood pressure and heart problems.
  4. Don’t eat as much animal protein: Too much animal protein boosts uric acid levels and causes stones to develop. Try going meatless one to two times a week.
  5. Avoid phosphate-rich foods: Foods including chocolate, bananas, nuts, and spinach are examples of high phosphate foods. If you have a history of kidney stones, your doctor may advise that you avoid these foods.

Sometimes, no matter what you do, a kidney stone isn’t avoidable. If you suspect you have a stone, contact Peconic Bay Medical Center. We have a team of knowledgeable physicians and a caring staff of nurses, techs, and other medical personnel who are eager to help you feel better faster. PBMC consists of 12 medical centers for a variety of medical needs from general medicine and cancer treatment to heart health and palliative care. Our medical community aims to provide insightful, precise, and caring medical treatment for all of our patients. If you’re in pain from a kidney stone, visit one of our emergency centers to be seen by our medical staff right away. Find a Peconic Bay Medical Center near you by visiting https://www.pbmchealth.org/medical-centers-and-services.

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