Prevention of urinary tract stones

It is important to drink plenty of fluid, especially in the summer months or a warm climate (urine output should be kept at > 3 litres per 24 hours).

Other prevention measures are directed towards the particular type of urinary tract stone:

• calcium stones - reduce calcium intake and avoid vitamin D supplements
• oxalate stones - reduce oxalate intake - foods with high oxalate content include chocolate, tea, nuts, beans, spinach, beetroot; reduce intake of citrus fruits (vitamin C)
• cystine stones - high fluid intake, alkalinization of urine, D-penicillamine acts as a chelating agent
• triple phosphate stones - antibiotics
• uric acid stones - allopurinol, urinary alkalinization