Preventing Kidney Stones in Summer: Hydration & Prevention Tips

Kidney stones form when the body doesn't properly flush out minerals and chemicals ingested such as calcium, phosphate, uric acid and oxalate. The stones can be painful, and you may become ill if they get too big to pass. Water flushes the stones from your body.

Instructions

• 1

  Stay hydrated. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day and more if you are working out or in extremely hot weather. Spread the consumption throughout the day rather than drinking big quantities at certain times of the day.

• 2

  Eat less salted foods to cut back on your sodium intake. Keep ribs and other heavily seasoned meats to a minimum, especially when the weather is really hot.

• 3

  Add lemonade to your liquids of choice. Doctors say the citric and water content in lemonade can help you to avoid kidney stones.

• 4

  Replace your carbonated soda consumption with water or lemonade. Dark colas contain oxalate, an acid that can lead to the formation of kidney stones.

• 5

  Exercise regularly to help your body process the foods and fluids you ingest. Keeping all your organs working properly prevents kidney stones.