Kidney Stone Prevention

Fore River Urology – Comprehensive Urologic Care in Maine

What Are the Chances of Getting Another Kidney Stone?

If you’ve had a kidney stone, your risk of having another is 30%–50% within 5 years without preventive measures [2]. That risk increases with each recurrence, making prevention crucial.

Prevention Through Metabolic Workup

A full metabolic evaluation helps identify your individual risk factors:

✅ Blood Tests

Calcium, uric acid, kidney function, parathyroid hormone

✅ 24-Hour Urine Collection

Evaluates urine volume, calcium, oxalate, citrate, sodium, uric acid, and pH

This guides a personalized prevention plan.

Diet & Lifestyle Recommendations

Hydration: Drink enough to make at least 2.5 liters of urine daily
Limit sodium: Aim for <2,300 mg/day to reduce urinary calcium
Moderate animal protein: Especially in uric acid stone formers
Consider moderating high-oxalate foods: Like spinach, beets, and nuts if appropriate
Keep normal dietary calcium: Low calcium can actually increase risk
Citrus fruits: Especially lemons and oranges, help raise urinary citrate (beneficial)

Medications and Side Effects

Based on your workup, medications may help lower your recurrence risk:

Thiazide Diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone)

Use: Reduce urinary calcium (for calcium stones)
Side Effects:

Electrolyte imbalances (low potassium/sodium)
Dizziness, fatigue
Impaired glucose tolerance or new-onset diabetes [4, 5]
Gout (due to increased uric acid)

Potassium Citrate

Use: Raises citrate and alkalinizes urine
Side Effects:

GI discomfort (bloating, nausea)
High potassium, especially in those with kidney disease

Allopurinol

Use: Reduces uric acid
Side Effects:

Rash
Liver enzyme elevation
Rare but serious hypersensitivity reactions

Tiopronin or Penicillamine (for cystine stones)

Side Effects:

Blood disorders
Liver toxicity
Proteinuria and rash

Take Control Today

Preventing stones is possible. Fore River Urology offers expert evaluation and long-term care to reduce your risk.

Request an appointment online
Call: 207-518-6600

Resources:

Preventing-Kidney-Stones-Fact-Sheet

References: