Recent studies have shown that kidney stone rates are
on the rise across the country. About
13% of men and 7% of women in the U.S. will develop a kidney stone during their
lifetime. Without treatment, up to 50% of those people will have a recurrence
within five years. The American College of Physicians (ACP) recently reviewed
all research studies on kidney stones published since 1948 to formulate updated
treatment recommendations.
Kidney stones are small, hard deposits that form
inside your kidneys. They are created when the
urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals to crystallize and stick
together. The most common symptom is
severe pain. Most stones pass on their own, but medical procedures are necessary to
remove some kidney stones.
What to
do: The APC advises the following to prevent
stone recurrence:
- The first and foremost line of defense against kidney stones is to drink plenty of water -- at least 12 cups but fluid needs vary depending on body size, weather, activity level, etc. Drink enough that you produce at least 2 liters of urine. Since most of us do not measure, make sure you are drinking enough to keep your urine very light.
- Talk with your doctor about prescription medications that help to prevent recurrence including thiazide diuretics, citrate, and allopurinol.
- Moderate foods high in oxalate (such as chocolate, beets, nuts, rhubarb, spinach, strawberries, tea, and wheat bran) and pair high oxalate foods with a calcium source such as dairy. Do not limit calcium intake but instead eat a diet rich in calcium.
- Control sodium intake. High sodium intake increases calcium losses and stone formation.
- Moderate intake of meat and animal proteins. These foods are high in purines and increase the acidity of urine. Organ meats, anchovies, sardines, bacon, beef, lobster, shrimp, cod, ham, veal and venison are especially high.
- Minimize intake of dark colas such as Coke & Pepsi. These are very acidic and increase calcium in the urine.
Adapted
from article found at:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/284722.php
Source:
Qaseem
A, Dallas P, Forciea MA, Starkey M, Denberg TD. Dietary and pharmacologic
management to prevent recurrent nephrolithiasis in adults: A clinical practice
guideline from the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine.
2014;161:659-667. Doi:10.7326/M13-2908
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