By Emily Miller
Recently, the American College of Physicians have issued new guidelines for people who have had a kidney stone to help them reduce their risk of having another one.
About 13 percent of men and seven percent of woman in the US will have a kidney stone at some point in their lifetime. Research also shows that without proper treatment, individuals have a 35 to 50 percent chance of having another kidney stone within five years of the first one.
A kidney stone is the result of tiny crystals sticking together in urine to form a lump large enough to cause severe pain and discomfort. It can also cause other problems like bleeding and damage to the kidney.
They are twice are common among males than females and most commonly found in people between the ages of 30 and 50.
They are commonly found in those that drink less than the recommended eight to ten glasses of water a day. When there is not enough water to dilute the uric acid, the pH level within the kidneys drops and becomes more acidic, which could lead to kidney stones.
Medical conditions such as Crohn’s disease, urinary tract infection, renal tubular acidosis, hyperparathyroidism, medullary sponge kidney, and Dent’s disease have also been known to lead to kidney stones.
In addition, adding Vitamin D and Calcium supplements to your everyday routine could increase your risk of developing kidney stones because they raise levels of calcium in the blood and urine.
Researchers found evidence that drinking more liquids may help prevent additional episodes of kidney stones, as lack of water is a leading cause of kidney stones.
“Increased fluid intake spread throughout the day can decrease stone recurrence by at least half with virtually no side effects,” said Dr. David Fleming, president of the American College of Physicians (ACP).
Staying hydrated is a simple, easy way to prevent future kidney stones, as diluting the urine with water keeps the minerals from concentrating and forming stones. Doctors may also prescribe medicines to prevent certain types of stones for individuals who are at a higher risk.
Researchers also found evidence that reducing intake of soft drinks might help prevent further kidney stones, but did not find any evidence regarding tap water versus bottled water.
The study concludes with advice on how individuals should adjust their diet to reduce their risk of developing kidney stones.
Reducing the intake of foods containing oxalate – such as beets, rhubarb, spinach, strawberries, nuts, chocolate, tea and wheat brain – and dietary animal proteins. It is also encourages to maintain normal dietary calcium intake.
