Kidney stones are pretty common among adults, but that does not make them any less painful. The pain from kidney stones can be enough to keep you in bed all day. That is why it is best to prevent them in the first place. Here are six great tips for avoiding kidney stones.

Reduce Sodium in Your Diet

A high-sodium diet does not just make you bloated. Too much sodium can increase the amount of calcium in your urine, making you a lot more susceptible to kidney stones. Try to limit your intake of frozen dinners, deli meats, canned vegetables, prepackaged snacks and chips. Also, try to stay away from the salt shaker during meal times.

Drink More Water

Water dilutes calcium and other minerals in your urine that are responsible for kidney stones. If you drink eight glass of water each day, you can really decrease your chances of developing kidney stones in the future. 

Do not Eat Too Much Animal Protein

If you consume too much red meat, seafood and poultry, you can increase the amount of uric acid in your urine. If you only consume animal protein once or twice a week, you will be less likely to deal with kidney stones later on.

Include Calcium in Your Diet

If you do not include enough calcium in your diet, too much calcium can accumulate in your urine, leading to kidney stones. If you do not think you are getting enough calcium from food, think about taking a calcium supplement every day.

Do not Hold Your Urine

You should never hold your urine, even if you are in an important business meeting. Holding your urine for too long can cause minerals to accumulate in your urine and form kidney stones. If you have to urinate, go to the bathroom right away.

Drink More Orange Juice

It turns out that orange juice can do a lot more than just boost your immune system. Orange juice increases the levels of citrate in your urine, decreasing your chances of getting kidney stones.  

Kidney stones are not easy to deal with, but they can be avoided. If you follow these helpful tips, you can reduce your risk of developing kidney stones in the future. However, if you still experience kidney stones, you should see a doctor (such as one from Green & Seidner Family Practice) as soon as possible. Your doctor will give you medicine to help you pass the kidney stones. 

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