Did you have kidney stones not too long ago? Not to leave you feeling alarmed, but doctors say someone like you who had kidney stones have 50 percent chance of having them again in the next 10 years!

If you never had kidney stones before, rejoice. That’s because you haven’t experienced yet the excruciating pain that takes place as kidney stones are passing through the urinary tract. Many of those who have already encountered such say that it’s a complete nightmare!

Now here’s the problem: experts say that 1 in 10 people will have kidneys stones at least once in their lifetimes. Not happy with the odds? Then continue reading to know how to keep kidney stones at bay.

Actually, small kidney stones can be flushed out of the urinary system naturally, but just like what’s mentioned earlier, it can come with lots and lots of pain! The good news is there are many different home remedies for effectively shrinking the size of kidney stones, thus enabling them to pass through the urinary tract without much trouble.

Unfortunately for those with very large kidney stones, no amount of remedies done at home can make them shrink to sizes that can fit through the tiny passageways of the ureters (the tiny tubes that connect the kidneys to the urinary bladder) and urethra (the tube that takes urine in the urinary bladder outside of the body).

Large kidney stones that measure 6 to 7 mm or larger in diameter usually require treatment to be removed, such as by means of shock waves to break up the kidney stones, or via open surgery.

It’s a good thing that it is actually possible to lower your risk of having kidney stones. Here are some of the things that you may do if you don’t want any kidney stone to form in any part of your urinary system:

Drink Plenty of Water

One of the most effective ways to keep at bay those kidney stones is proper hydration. On a daily basis, makes sure that you consume around 2 liters of water, which is equivalent to about 8 glasses. Doing this helps your kidneys produce enough urine that rob those kidney stones the opportunity to form.

Avoid Too Much Sweating

It’s true that sweating helps flush out toxins from as well as help cool the body. But did you know that excessive sweating is something that can encourage the formation of kidney stones? That’s because it causes a decline in urine production. Here’s a solution if you cannot say no to sweating a lot: drink more fluids.

Limit Salt Intake

Doctors say that a diet that’s high in sodium can increase your chances of having kidney stones. That’s because sodium keeps calcium from being reabsorbed by the body, causing it to form into kidney stones. Do take note that it’s not calcium that is the enemy, but too much sodium.

Minimize Intake of Oxalate-Rich Foods

Oxalates also give bone-strengthening calcium a bad reputation. Naturally occurring in some foods, oxalates bind with calcium, resulting in the formation of kidney stones. To keep kidney stones from showing up, limit your intake of oxalate-rich foods like sweet potatoes, beets, spinach, peanuts, soy and chocolates.

Reduce Vitamin C Supplementation

According to studies, individuals (most especially men) who took high doses of vitamin C supplements had higher risk of developing kidney stones. So if you are taking vitamin C tablets or capsules, follow the directions of the manufacturer. Luckily, the consumption of foods rich in vitamin C is not linked to kidney formation.

Cut Down on Meat

Finally, you should also cut down on your meat consumption if you want to considerably lower your risk of having kidney stones. Experts say that the likes of beef, pork and chicken may increase uric acid, which is linked to kidney stone formation. Add more plant sources of protein into your diet as you limit your meat intake.