Control blood sugar. High blood-sugar levels damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys as well as the rest of the body.
Control blood pressure. Reduce salt intake, quit smoking.
Be careful with over-the-counter drugs. Follow dosage instructions for over-the-counter medications. Taking too much aspirin or ibuprofen can cause kidney damage. If normal doses of these medications are not effective at controlling pain, see a doctor.
Get tested. Ask your doctor about a blood test for kidney problems. Kidney problems don’t usually cause symptoms until they have progressed considerably. A basic metabolic panel, or BMP, can detect issues early, when they are easier to treat. If you are diabetic or have heart disease, high blood pressure, or another kidney disease risk factor, you should be tested annually.
Drink plenty of water. Dehydration can cause kidney damage. In addition, drinking water leads to frequent urination, which can help expel kidney stones before they grow large enough to cause severe pain as they pass through.
Limit certain foods. Different chemicals can contribute to kidney stones, including excessive sodium, animal protein, citric acid, found in citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons and grapefruits, and oxalate, a chemical found in rhubarb, beets, okra, spinach, sweet potatoes, tea and chocolate
Ask about calcium. Consult a doctor before taking a calcium supplement. They have been linked to an increased risk of kidney stones, though reducing intake of oxalic acid and increasing citric acid in the diet are more important to reducing the incidence of kidney stones than reducing calcium stones.