How to Work Kidney Stone Prevention into Your Daily Life

Just about everyone I know has had a kidney stone and the number is growing. I started having Kidney stones 13 years ago. when they first started I had about 10 a year. This continued for 5 years and then tapered to 1 or 2 a year. With only one kidney I had to get to root of the problem. My doctor prescribed Uracit-K (very large pills) 2, 3 times a day. To help prevent stones from forming. I had to find an alternative. I found it 3 years ago.

Things You'll Need:

• Lots of Water
• Cranberry Juice
• Lemon Juice

Step 1

Definitely visit your doctor or urologist to determine the makeup of your stones. The doctor must have the lab examine one of the stones. There are 4 types of Kidney stones: Uric Acid(Acid),Calcium(Oxalate and phosphate),Struvite(Infection Stone),and Cystine(Cystine). Uric Acid stones are caused by a buildup of uric acid in the urine and also eating too much red meat. Diabetes could also contribute to this type of kidney stone. People with type 2 Diabetes have been found to have high levels of uric acid in their urine. Calcium Stones are caused by unused calcium deposited in the kidney that is not flushed out and forms a bond with either oxalate or phosphate in the kidney. Struvite stones are formed after an infection in the urinary tract and are made up of magnesium and ammonia. Cystine stones are caused by the presence of too much cystine in the urine. Cystine stones are rare and are caused by a genetic disease called cystinuria.

Step 2
One big factor in the production of kidney stones is dehydration. The best thing to do is drink plenty of water to help keep your kidneys flushed out so that no deposits can settle in them. 8 glasses of water a day are recommended. Drink even more if you can. I bought a 24 ounce thermos with a latched top and a wide mouth that is a little smaller and wider than a soda can opening. The wide mouth helps me consume a greater amount of water more quickly without really thinking about drinking more water and lets me fill up the container less often. I fill it up every morning and when I get home. I try to get water from another source with my lunch. That makes for about 4 to 5 glasses of water during work hours and then 2 or more when I return home. I also fill up my thermos and set it by my bed side when I go to sleep. If I wake up during the night I take a big gulp each time just to keep the process going. When you have had at least one kidney stone you can never have too much water. 

Step 3
I have had many doctors and tell me that cranberry juice helps prevent bacteria from sticking to and building up on tissue in the body. I try to drink an 8 ounce glass of cranberry juice every morning. I recommend drinking it in the morning instead of in the evening so that the acid from the cranberry juice and the bacteria it prevents from staying in your system can be flushed out during the course of the day. Drinking it at night can also cause heartburn. :P
I have also heard that white rice may help absorb and flush out your system.
Also,lemon juice contains natural citrate that is proven to help prevent Kidney stone formation.

Step 4
Now the big one! Drastically reduce caffeine intake...! This includes sodas, coffee, chocolate(I can't live without chocolate!),sweet southern tea,etc. Don't worry :) You don't necessarily have to cut it out all of these completely. Now being from The South I couldn't go anywhere without having someone offer me sweet tea and I was raised drinking sodas constantly and and yes I love chocolate. Most of these caffeine indulgences have caffeine free counterparts! Yay! Except for chocolate :0(
Its not going to be easy and it is probably going to be a slow process.
Don't give up! It will be worth it!
Start first with the water thermos. Find good one with the specs I described. Go for the water when thirst hits and take along a small amount of your other favorite caffeine indulgence and get a taste every now and then just to keep your sanity. Before you know it you'll be drinking more water and less caffeine. You'll feel a lot better once you break the caffeine addiction. When you go out to eat order your caffeine drink and water with lemon. Start off with a good dose of water and then you can enjoy a little of your caffeine drink. Always make sure you drink more water than caffeine drink. This will help your kidney's stay flushed out and you can still enjoy some of your favorite drink. As for the chocolate... Stay away from dark chocolate and only eat it in small amounts and make it a rarity. It may be good for your immune system but not worth a kidney stone! I eat the equivalent of 1 to 2 chocolate bars a day. I haven't kicked the addiction yet:p I have had no kidney stones in the last 3 years and only 1 bad infection per year the last 3 years. I'd say that's progress. Eh?!! Keep plugging at it and figure out what works for you. Take it slowly like I said. With luck and determination you will be in the clear in no time. NOW GO FIGHT THOSE STONES!!!! ;O)

Tips & Warnings

• Drink plenty of water(8 or more glasses daily).
• Use a 24 ounce wide mouth thermos with a finger loop handle.
• Try drinking just 1 glass of cranberry juice every morning.
• find some Lemonade that you like. I suggest making your own or just toss some slices in your water.
• Drastically reduce your consumption of dehydrating drinks such as sodas and coffee.
• Drastically reduce your caffeine intake. Kidneys have to work overtime to process caffeine which makes it harder to keep urine clear.
• Try to incorporate more clear and caffeine free beverages.
• Get some exercise. Moving around reduces the risk of small stones settling in your urinary tract and forming lager impassable stones.
• Don't drink too much cranberry juice because excessive amounts go go against your efforts.
• Avoid Dark Chocolate.
• Ditch the caffeine.