Smart Choices. Simple Steps.®


To improve symptoms and help prevent new stones, replace old habits with new, healthy ones. How? Start by changing just one thing.


Drink enough water.


Water keeps your urine from becoming packed with crystals. Drinking about 2 to 3 liters of water a day is usually recommended, but check with your doctor to see how much you need.


Buy a water bottle. Make it a habit to take it wherever you go, and keep track of how many times you fill it a day.


Lose extra weight.


Gaining 35 pounds during adulthood increases a man’s risk of kidney stones by 40 percent and a woman’s by 80 percent.


Talk to your doctor about an exercise plan to help you burn calories and stay in shape.


Get more citrate.


Citrate (a type of citric acid) can help prevent crystals from clumping together in your urine. This helps stop stones from forming.


Ask your doctor if taking a citrate supplement, or drinking lemonade or lemon-flavored water (high in citrates) can help.


10


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12