At Beacon Clinic in North Idaho, our urology team works with patients every day who are facing the pain and frustration of kidney stones. These small, hard mineral deposits can cause severe discomfort and disrupt daily life. Thankfully, the good news is that kidney stones are highly treatable. More importantly, they are often preventable.
Whether you’ve had kidney stones before or want to be pro-active to lower your risk, understanding how they form and what you can do to prevent them is the first step toward protecting your kidney health.
What Are Kidney Stones?
Your kidneys perform the critical function of filtering waste and expelling excess water from your body as urine. Proper kidney function is crucial for your overall health. Kidney stones develop when certain minerals and salts in the urine build up and form crystals. Over time, these crystals grow into hard “stones” that can remain in the kidney or move into the ureter—the tube connecting the kidney to the bladder. When that happens, it usually happens quite suddenly, causing severe problems. Symptoms may include:
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Sharp pain in the back, side, or lower abdomen
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Pain that comes in waves
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Blood in the urine
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Nausea or vomiting
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Frequent or painful urination
While anyone can develop kidney stones, factors such as dehydration, diet, family history, and certain medical conditions can increase your risk.
Top Tips for Preventing Kidney Stones
1. Drink Plenty of Water
Staying hydrated is the single most important way to prevent stones. Water dilutes minerals in the urine, helping them pass through the kidneys instead of forming crystals. For optimal results, aim to consume at least 2–3 liters of water each day. Clear or pale-yellow urine is a good sign you’re drinking enough.
2. Limit Sodium Intake
High-sodium diets can increase calcium levels in urine, a hard mineral that can contribute to stone formation. High sodium foods include highly processed foods, canned soups, fast foods, and salty snacks. Try to limit your intake to 2,300 mg or less of sodium per day, or even lower if recommended by your healthcare provider.
3. Watch Your Oxalate Intake
Some kidney stones are made of calcium oxalate. While oxalic acid is a natural compound found in many plant foods we consume, it can bind with calcium to produce stones. Reducing oxalate intake in your diet may help, especially if you’ve had kidney stones before. Common high-oxalate foods include:
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Spinach
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Beets
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Nuts
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Chocolate
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Rhubarb
You don’t need to eliminate these foods entirely, but merely limit them. Interestingly, pairing high-oxalate foods with calcium-rich foods during meals can help reduce oxalate absorption that produces kidney stones, because pairing the foods within the same meal encourages the oxalate to bind with calcium in the gut, rather than the kidneys.
4. Eat a Balanced Amount of Calcium
Calcium is a necessary nutrient, and contrary to what some believe, cutting out calcium may actually increase stone risk. Instead, get calcium from food sources such as yogurt, cheese, and milk. Adults typically need 1,000–1,200 mg of calcium daily.
5. Limit Animal Protein
Red meat, eggs, and seafood can raise uric acid levels, increasing the risk of certain stones. While protein intake is critical, try adding more plant-based proteins, such as beans, to your meals.
6. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Like so many other health problems, obesity increases the risk of kidney stones and can make stones more difficult to treat. A balanced diet and regular activity support both kidney and overall health.
Treatment Options for Kidney Stones
Even with steps taken to encourage prevention, stones can still occur, and when they do, Beacon Clinic’s Urology practice offers several effective treatment options.
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Increased Fluid Intake and Pain Management: Small stones may pass on their own with hydration and medication to manage pain or relax the ureter.
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Medication: Certain medications can help break down stones or prevent new ones from forming, depending on the type of stone.
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Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL): This non-invasive treatment uses sound waves to break stones into smaller pieces, making them easier to pass.
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Ureteroscopy: A thin scope is used to locate and remove the stone or break it apart using a laser. This option is common for stones that are lodged in the ureter.
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Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL): For very large or complex stones, a minimally invasive surgical procedure may be necessary to remove them directly.
Upon consultation, your provider can determine the best treatment based on the size, location, and type of stone, as well as your overall health.
Beacon Clinic: Your Partner in Kidney Health
Kidney stones are often painful, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. At Beacon Clinic, our urology specialists are dedicated to providing personalized, compassionate care, from prevention strategies to state-of-the-art treatment options.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of a kidney stone or want help reducing your risk, contact Beacon Clinic today. We’re here to help you protect your kidney health and find lasting relief.
