Your healthcare provider may recommend a number of options to manage your kidney stones and prevent further kidney stones. Decide with your healthcare provider what will be best for you.

Drinking enough fluid

• The most important thing you can do for kidney stone prevention is making sure you drink enough fluid.
• Water is the best fluid. Always follow your healthcare provider's instructions when increasing how much fluid you drink (fluid intake). You may be asked to drink enough fluid so that you produce 2.5 L of pee (urine) every day. It can be helpful for you to track how much fluid you drink and how many times you pee.
• Try to drink enough to pee 7 to 8 times every day. To do this, you should:
• Drink even when you are not thirsty.
• Drink after each time you pee.
• Try to drink enough so your pee is very pale yellow or clear.
• Limit the amount of sugary drinks you have.
• Always follow your healthcare provider’s recommendation on how much fluid you should have.

Managing your pain

• Your healthcare provider may recommend over-the-counter medicine to relieve your pain, like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Your healthcare provider may also recommend other medicines to help you manage your pain.

Eating to manage and prevent kidney stones

• Your healthcare provider may suggest a diet that helps manage and prevent kidney stones (PDF).
• You may be asked to see a dietitian.

Active living and healthy lifestyle

• Physical activity and healthy eating can help you stay at healthy body weight, which can help lower your risk of kidney stones.
• Your healthcare provider will recommend what is best for you for physical activity. For most adults, 2.5 hours (150 minutes) of moderate to vigorous​ intensity aerobic activity is recommended every week.
• If you haven’t been active lately, start slow. Set manageable and realistic goals for yourself.