Ways to prevent kidney stone recurrence

Kidney Stones›Ways to prevent kidney stone recurrence

If you have a kidney stone, you’re more likely to get another later in life. One in 2 people have another kidney stone within 7 years if they do not take actions to prevent getting it¹

Dietary and lifestyle changes are key to prevent a recurrent kidney stone^1–4

Drink plenty of water (at least 8 glasses of water each day)

Practical tips

Carry a water bottle with you throughout the day
Include at least one beverage with each meal
Keep a cup of water next to you while you’re working
Add a cut of lemon, lime or mint leaves to you water for a refreshing flavour
Set reminders to your smartphone or smartwatch that it is time to drink some water

Reduce consumption of foods that are high in salt

Practical tips

Choose unseasoned meat, fish or poultry
Choose unsalted nuts
Limit ready-to-eat and fast foods
Read food label and choose foods with less sodium
When cooking, replace added salt with spices, herbs, lemon juice or garlic

Consume calcium-rich foods and drinks instead of calcium supplements

Practical tips

If you need to take calcium supplement to meet your requirement, take the lowest dose needed and take it with meals (talk to your doctor about this)

Reduce foods that are high in oxalates, such as spinach, peanuts, dark chocolate as they can increase the risk of developing kidney stones

Practical tips

When you eat foods that are high in oxalates, ensure that you have them with a food that is rich in calcium

Daily moderate to rigorous exercise, with a goal of >10,000 steps per day

Practical tips

Walk five minutes at least every two hours if you’re sitting while working
Use the stairs instead of lift or escalator
Park your car further and walk an extra steps
Walk while talking on the phone
Reduce 1 hour of screen time each day
Scrub your bathroom tiles or wash your car for at least 30 minutes once a week
Use a step tracker and aim for an extra 1,000 steps each day

References

1 – WebMD. Kidney stones. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/kidney-stones/understanding-kidney-stones-basics. Accessed 20 June 2021.
2 – HealthLink British Columbia. Healthy eating guidelines for prevention of recurrent kidney stones. Available at: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/hlbc/files/healthyeating/pdf/healthy_eating_guidelines_for_prevention_of_recurrent_kidney_stones.pdf. Accessed 20 June 2021.
3 – Wong YV, et al. Int J Endocrinol 2015;2015:570674.
4 – Ministry of Health Malaysia. Clinical Practice Guidelines on Primary and Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease 2017. Available at: https://www.moh.gov.my/moh/resources/Penerbitan/CPG/CARDIOVASCULAR/3.pdf. Accessed 17 June 2021.