Related Experiment Videos
Urine volume: stone risk factor and preventive measure
L Borghi1, T Meschi, T Schianchi
1Istituto di Semeiotica Medica, Università di Parma, Italia. lborghi@ipruniv.cce.unipr.it
Nephron
|January 5, 1999
Summary
Increasing fluid intake, particularly water, is crucial for preventing kidney stones and their recurrence. Adequate hydration positively impacts urine volume and crystallization, offering an economical and effective preventive measure.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Urology
- Mineralogy
Background:
- High fluid intake represents the oldest known treatment for kidney stones.
- Historically, it was the sole preventive strategy physicians could offer for recurrent stone formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the significance of urine volume as a risk factor for kidney stones.
- To analyze the impact of urine volume on calcium crystallization mechanisms.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of urine volume modulation in preventing kidney stone recurrence.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing data.
- Inclusion of unpublished personal research.
- Examination of urine volume's role in stone formation and prevention.
Main Results:
- Low urine volume is a significant risk factor for both the initial development and recurrence of kidney stones.
- Increased urine volume, achieved through high water intake, favorably influences calcium oxalate crystallization without diminishing natural inhibitor activity.
- Sufficient intake of water, and potentially other beverages like coffee, tea, beer, and wine, demonstrates a preventive effect against nephrolithiasis and its recurrence.
- The specific role of fruit juice in kidney stone prevention remains undetermined.
Conclusions:
- A high fluid intake, predominantly water, remains the most potent and cost-effective method for preventing nephrolithiasis.
- Stone formers often do not optimally utilize high fluid intake as a preventive strategy.