How to Prevent Kidney Stone Recurrence

Kidney stones consist of minerals and acid salts, forming solid crystalline particles inside the kidneys. When the stones grow too large, they can’t pass out of the body, leading to intense pain. Those who have had this condition before should understand how to prevent the recurrence of kidney stones, as the likelihood of reformation is between 60-80%.

You need to consult a doctor to specifically identify the type of kidney stones you previously had. This is crucial because only by knowing the type of stone can you apply specific prevention methods. Ensure that the doctor checks the parathyroid gland to rule out its involvement in the formation of kidney stones.

• Calcium stones form due to an excess of calcium accumulating in the kidneys, which cannot be fully excreted in urine. It then combines with other waste materials to form stones. The most common calcium stone is calcium oxalate, and it is the most prevalent type. Calcium phosphate stones, while less common, are more problematic because they form larger and harder stones, making them much harder to treat.
• Struvite stones form after urinary tract infections and are composed of magnesium and ammonia.
• Uric acid stones develop when there is too much acid in the kidneys. Reducing meat consumption may help prevent these stones, as they are often linked to gout and share similarities in treatment with gout.
• Cystine stones are rare but tend to run in families. Cystine is an amino acid, and some individuals inherit large amounts of it from previous generations.

Consider future risks. Those who have experienced kidney stones are at a higher risk of recurrence. You should evaluate potential risk factors that you may not be aware of by downloading the app to assess your kidney stone risk at the link http://www.qxmd.com/calculate-online/nephrology/recurrence-of-kidney-stone-roks. Afterward, discuss these risks further with your doctor.

Consult with a doctor. Depending on the type of kidney stones you had, your age, gender, and family medical history, your doctor can help you create a plan to reduce the risk of recurring kidney stones. Primarily, you will need to adjust your diet, drink plenty of water, and in some cases, take medications or undergo surgery (only for specific cases).

Drink more water. Water aids in the excretion of waste that leads to kidney stones. While other fluids are fine, water is the most effective. Water helps flush out substances, preventing stone formation without adding anything like sugar, sodium, or other components found in other drinks. Aim for at least 8 glasses (250 ml per glass) of water each day. Avoid caffeinated drinks as they cause dehydration rather than hydrating the body. Your daily urine output should be around 2 liters and should be pale yellow in color.

Avoid salt. One of the main causes of kidney stones is highly concentrated urine. Salt causes dehydration, which leads to higher concentration in the urine. If you really enjoy salty foods, balance this by drinking plenty of water after meals.

Reduce meat consumption. Animal proteins cause urine to become more concentrated, making them a factor to avoid. The waste products from protein enter the urine, increasing the risk of kidney stone formation.

Consume more fiber. Some studies show that insoluble fiber combines with calcium in the urine and is excreted in the stool, thereby reducing the amount of calcium left in the urine. Fiber-rich foods include:

• Whole grains like oats, bran, and quinoa
• Prunes and prune juice
• Leafy vegetables like spinach, Swiss chard, or kale

Be cautious with oxalate intake if you have had calcium oxalate stones. The best approach is to consume both calcium and oxalate in the same meal, so they combine in the stomach rather than waiting for the kidneys to process them and turn them into kidney stones.

• Spinach, chocolate, beets, and rhubarb are high in oxalates. Beans, green bell peppers, tea, and peanuts also contain oxalates.
• Foods rich in calcium like milk, cheese, fortified orange juice, and yogurt can be eaten alongside oxalate-rich foods.

Take medication for calcium stones. The most common medications are thiazide diuretics or phosphate-based mixtures. Hydrochlorothiazide (a thiazide diuretic) works by reducing the amount of calcium excreted in urine by retaining calcium in the bones, thereby lowering the risk of calcium stone formation. This medication is most effective when you also reduce your salt intake.

Nhờ bác sĩ kê thuốc loại trừ sỏi axít uric. Thuốc allopurinol (Zyloprim, Aloprim) duy trì tính kiềm của nước tiểu và giảm hàm lượng axít uric trong cả máu và nước tiểu. Đôi khi allopurinol có thể kết hợp với một tác nhân kiềm hóa nào đó để hòa tan hoàn toàn sỏi axít uric.

Uống kháng sinh trị sỏi struvite. Uống các đợt kháng sinh ngắn có thể giúp ngăn chặn vi khuẩn tạo sỏi struvite hình thành trong nước tiểu. Thông thường bác sĩ không muốn bạn uống kháng sinh trong thời gian dài, nhưng chỉ cần liều ngắn cũng giúp ích đáng kể.

Co ngót sỏi cystin bằng cách kiềm hóa nước tiểu. Phương pháp này yêu cầu phải nhét ống thông đường tiểu và tiêm tác nhân kiềm hóa vào trong thận. Sỏi cystin thường phản ứng tốt với cách điều trị này, đặc biệt khi kèm theo đó bạn uống nhiều nước cả ngày lẫn đêm.

Kiểm soát hình thành sỏi canxi bằng phẫu thuật. Đây chỉ là lựa chọn nếu bạn mắc chứng cường tuyến cận giáp, nghĩa là tuyến cận giáp là nguyên nhân gây sỏi thận. Sỏi canxi có khả năng hình thành nếu bạn mắc bệnh này. Phẫu thuật cắt bỏ một trong hai tuyến cận giáp ở cổ có thể trị được bệnh và loại trừ nguy cơ sỏi thận.

• It’s not always possible to determine the exact type of stone you had in the past. The stone may have passed without leaving any trace, or the test results may no longer be available. However, you can still treat kidney stones, although the treatment may not be as focused and could be less effective.