Kidney stones are very common in the U.S.—more than 1 million people are diagnosed with one each year. With this many people dealing with them every year, does that mean that it’s not possible to prevent kidney stones? Not at all.

Our AFC Urgent Care Louisville team further explains below, so keep reading.

What Are Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones are hard deposits formed when chemicals in the urinary system solidify. The kidneys and urinary system filter a lot of waste all the time, but they have a hard time filtering out chemicals like phosphate, uric acid and calcium when urine is overly concentrated.

Kidney stones develop when there is too much waste in a concentrated amount of urine, and these chemicals combine to create crystals. The following are the most common kidney stone symptoms.

Common Kidney Stone Symptoms

• Severe pain on either side of your lower back
• More vague pain or stomach ache that doesn’t go away
• Blood in the urine
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fever and chills
• Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy

How Can I Prevent Kidney Stones?

Like we said earlier, nearly 1 million Americans get a kidney stone each year. What’s more, though, is that once a person gets a kidney stone, he or she will be 50% more likely to get another one in the future. This is why kidney stone prevention is important—especially for those who have a higher risk of getting them.

Although there is no surefire way to prevent kidney stones, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is one of the best things you can do to benefit your urinary and overall health. We further explain below.

Ways to Prevent Kidney Stones

• Stay adequately hydrated. Drinking lots of water helps the urinary system filter out waste and lower the risk of developing crystals that turn into kidney stones.
• Eat fewer oxalate-rich foods. Oxalates can be bad for the urinary system, due to the fact that they can bind to minerals in the gut and prevent the body from absorbing them. This, in turn, can cause kidney stones. If you are more susceptible to urinary tract problems, consider limiting foods rich in oxalates. These include rhubarb, beets, okra, spinach, Swiss chard, sweet potatoes, nuts, tea, chocolate, black pepper and soy products.
• Choose a diet low in salt. A high-sodium diet can trigger kidney stones.
• Eat more fruits and veggies. Eating healthy fruits and veggies makes urine less acidic, which makes stones less able to form.

If you have further questions about kidney stones, our AFC Urgent Care Louisville team is here to provide the answers you’re looking for! Call or visit our center today.