Kidney stones are a common and painful health problem that affects many people around the world. These hard deposits form in the kidneys and can cause severe pain when they move through the urinary tract.
For people who have had kidney stones before, there is always a risk that they will return. Now, a new review of scientific studies suggests that simple changes in diet and certain medications may help reduce that risk.
The findings come from a large review published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. Researchers from the RTI-University of North Carolina Evidence-Based Practice Center carefully examined 31 clinical studies to understand what works best to prevent kidney stones from coming back. The review included studies on nonpregnant adults and a small number of children.
Kidney stones often form when certain minerals build up in the urine. The most common types are calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones. These can develop when the balance of water, salts, and minerals in the body is not right. Because of this, diet and fluid intake play an important role in prevention.
One of the clearest findings from the review is that drinking more water can help reduce the chance of kidney stones returning.
When people drink enough fluids, their urine becomes more diluted. This makes it harder for minerals to stick together and form stones. Increasing water intake is a simple and safe step that many people can take to protect their kidney health.
The review also found that certain dietary patterns may be helpful. Diets that include normal to high levels of calcium, but lower amounts of salt and animal protein, were linked to a lower risk of kidney stone recurrence.
This may seem surprising, as some people think they should avoid calcium. However, normal calcium intake can actually help prevent stones by binding to other substances in the digestive system before they reach the kidneys.
Reducing salt intake is important because high sodium levels can increase calcium in the urine, which may lead to stone formation. Lowering the amount of animal protein in the diet may also help, as high protein intake can change the balance of chemicals in the urine and make stones more likely to form.
In addition to diet changes, the researchers looked at medications that might help prevent kidney stones. They found that several types of drugs may offer benefits.
These include thiazide diuretics, which help reduce calcium levels in the urine, alkali therapy, which can make the urine less acidic, and allopurinol, which helps control levels of uric acid in the body. These medications may be especially useful for people who continue to form stones despite making lifestyle changes.
However, the researchers also noted that the overall evidence is still limited. While these approaches appear to provide some benefit, more high-quality studies are needed to confirm how effective they are and to understand any possible risks or side effects.
Another area of interest is the use of imaging tests, such as scans, to monitor and prevent kidney stones. However, the review found no studies that evaluated whether regular imaging helps reduce the risk of stones coming back. This means doctors do not yet have clear guidance on how useful these tests are for prevention.
The review also highlighted a lack of research involving children. Most of the available data comes from studies in adults, so more research is needed to understand how best to prevent kidney stones in younger people.
Overall, the study suggests that simple lifestyle changes, especially drinking more water and adjusting diet, may help reduce the risk of kidney stones returning. Medications may also provide additional support for some people. However, because the evidence is not yet strong in all areas, further research is needed to provide clearer answers.
For now, people who have had kidney stones may benefit from speaking with their doctor about practical steps they can take. Staying well hydrated, eating a balanced diet, and following medical advice can all play an important role in protecting kidney health and reducing the chances of future stones.
If you care about kidney health, please read studies about drug that prevents kidney failure in diabetes, and drinking coffee could help reduce risk of kidney injury.
For more information about kidney health, please see recent studies about foods that may prevent recurrence of kidney stones, and common painkillers may harm heart, kidneys and more.
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