5 daily habits to help prevent kidney stones from recurring

Recurrent kidney stones cause pain and affect daily activities. Most causes are related to lifestyle, when urine is too concentrated or minerals accumulate, forming crystals and developing stones. Some simple habits below can help reduce the risk of recurrence.

Drink enough water

Drinking enough water is an important measure to reduce the risk of recurring kidney stones. Water helps dilute urine, reduce mineral concentrations and limit stone formation. On the contrary, drinking less water makes urine concentrated, creating conditions for stones to develop.

Reduce salt intake

Eating a lot of salty foods causes the kidneys to excrete a lot of calcium, increasing the risk of stone formation. Many everyday dishes such as packaged snacks, fast food or restaurant dishes contain a lot of salt. Prioritize simple or home-cooked foods, use less salt and read food labels, and gradually reduce salt to maintain stable calcium levels in the body. This change over time will create a healthy environment in the urinary tract, reducing the risk of stone formation.

Reduce oxalate-rich foods

People at high risk of kidney stones should reduce the amount of oxalate in their diet. Oxalate in food passes through the digestive tract and binds with calcium to be excreted, but if the amount of oxalate is too high, the remainder reaches the kidneys and can form calcium oxalate stones. This is a common type of kidney stone, the risk increases when oxalate levels are high.

Reduce red meat to stabilize uric acid levels

Uric acid is a waste product in the blood. Uric acid stones form when urine is concentrated and highly acidic. This is one of the four common types of kidney stones, causing pain when urinating and blood in the urine. The cause is often related to a purine-rich diet (red meat, seafood) or metabolic problems such as gout and obesity. Reducing red meat and seafood and prioritizing plant foods helps reduce uric acid, make urine less acidic and reduce the risk of kidney stones.

Add more citrate-rich fruits

Citrate is a natural substance in fruits and vegetables that can prevent crystal formation in the kidneys. Eating lots of citrus fruits can increase citrate and maintain normal urine pH.

Preventing kidney stones from recurring is not just about changing a habit but building a long-term healthy lifestyle. People who have been infected should have regular check-ups, urine tests and discuss with their doctor to take appropriate preventive measures.