Hi Jo, it depends on the type of stone. For example, uric acid stones can be caused by caffeine, cola, peanuts, spinach, and purines, which are by-products of meat. None of this set in stone, meaning just because you consume these things doesn't mean you'll get a stone. Some people never get them. Others get them even without consuming the "offenders". This is a WebMD link which offers some general advice about the kinds of things that can increase your risk of getting a stone:
http://my.webmd.com/content/healthwise/54/13451.htm?lastselectedguid={5FE84E90-BC77-4056-A91C-9531713CA348}
A lot of evidence out there suggests it's hereditary. One thing I believe all urologists would agree on is that it's a good idea for everyone to drink water. Not the flavored kind, but plain, old-fashioned water. Bottled water (not the carbonated kind) would fall into this category as well. Water keeps the kidneys working, and helps flush out any debris which could stick to the walls of the ureters or the lining of the parenchyma of the kidney itself and start to form a stone. On the never-ending advice of my urologist, I now drink at least 3 quarts of water a day. I still drink caffeine, but not nearly as much as I used to. I also test my urine at home routinely for blood and protein, using those dipsticks. I also have a strainer ... just in case. It's interesting (to me anyway) to note too (and no one has been able to give me a reason why), that all four stones developed in October. The first two were a year apart (the years my father in law and then both grandparents died), then the next one was five years later (LONG story, but suffice it to say it was a VERY stressful time in our lives here!), and the fourth one last October, right in the middle of Atkins and a new job start. So ... do they have a stress component maybe? No one knows ... but I keep watching for studies on this. If anyone knows of any, please let me know!
Hope this helps, Jo! (Didn't mean to go on and on there ...
)
Carol
