Dietary stone prevention

Abstract

Diet influences the formation and growth of most types of urolithiasis. Medical nutrition therapy is a recognized and safe intervention that may be used alone or in concert with pharmacologic therapy. Patients frequently ask about dietary changes they can make to prevent stone recurrence. Urologists are increasingly managing patients with urinary tract stones between events and offering preventive strategies. Urologists must be familiar with basic preventive nutrition concepts for urolithiasis and with how dietary changes affect recurrence risk, even when a registered dietitian is available for patient counseling. In this chapter, the various risk factors for recurrence of the most common types of urolithiasis are reviewed with respect to the specific, evidence-based nutrition therapy that addresses each one. Frequently asked patient questions about understanding and complying with nutrition therapy, derived from the author's clinical experience, are addressed.