Being a stone patient is difficult but what makes it worse is that half of these patients will have a recurrence in the next 10 years. It is thus important that the composition of this stone be analysed and necessary dietary modifications (Stone diet) be done to prevent recurrence.
How to get rid of recurrent Kidney Stones
These are some of the important precautions one must take:
- Get the stone Analyzed: It is a good idea to void in a sieve and collect the stone. This stone can be subjected to analysis and we can get know what it is made up of. This way the dietary restrictions can be reduced to a minimum.
- Get a Metabolic Profile: If you have stones that are multiple or recurrent, a few blood and urine tests can help to know what may be causing them.
- Reduce Salt: Salt restriction is a very important step to prevent recurrence of most stones. Reduce the daily salt intake by avoiding salt wherever you can.
- Drinking Plenty of Fluids: Fluids in the form of water, coconut water, pineapple and cranberry juice, lemonade milk and buttermilk. Make sure that your fluid intake is evenly balanced throughout the day. Beer does not improve the clearance or recurrence of stones.
- Maintain a healthy weight, avoid stress and exercise atleast 2 to 3 times a week.
- Ensure that your urine is not infected. Infection promotes struvite stones and you may need antibiotics to eradicate bacteria from your urine.
Avoid the following Foods:
- Spinach, rhubarb, nuts, animal protein, chocolates, cocoa, black tea, cashew and wheat bran to prevent Calcium Oxalate Stones, which are the most common types of stones found
- Reduce animal protein like meat and fish for Calcium phosphate Stones, Cystine and Uric acid stones
Lets focus on what you should EAT
Plenty of fluids with salt and weight reduction is your key
- Raw fruits and vegetables are a good way to go as they have lots of fibre, magnesium, potassium and citric acid that inhibit stone formation. Watermelon and cauliflower in particular are great examples.
- Ensure adequate calcium in your diet. Restriction of calcium has been found to increase stone formation.
So the overall message for the patients is that good fluid intake along with salt restriction and a health balanced diet is all it takes to reduce the recurrence. Diet can be modified best when we know the cause of stone formation and what the stone is made up of.
If you have lost the opportunity to analyse the stone, you could still opt in for the comprehensive metabolic evaluation. Visit us or book an online appointment today !
Here’s a chart that can help you: