Does Staying Hydrated Prevent Kidney Stones?

Did you know that staying hydrated is key to keeping your kidneys happy and healthy? It might sound simple, but drinking enough water truly makes a difference. Your kidneys are incredible organs that work tirelessly to filter out waste and keep your body balanced. Let's explore how incorporating healthy hydration habits can support your kidney function, help prevent painful kidney stones, and ultimately keep you feeling your best. 

Understanding the role of the kidneys  

The kidneys perform a host of important duties including: 
 

1. Blood filtration – The kidneys filter waste products such as urea, creatinine, and other toxins from the blood and help eliminate this waste from the body in the form of urine. 
2. Fluid homeostasis – The kidneys maintain the fluid balance of the body by adjusting urine output according to water intake. 
3. Electrolyte balance – The kidneys regulate sodium, potassium, and calcium levels in the blood. This is important for proper nerve functioning, muscle contraction, and heart health.  
4. Blood pressure regulation – The kidneys regulate blood pressure by controlling blood volume and producing hormones such as renin, which are responsible for blood vessel constriction and water reabsorption.  
5. Maintaining blood pH – The kidneys excrete hydrogen ions and reabsorb bicarbonate, thereby maintaining the blood's pH. 

Does staying hydrated prevent kidney stones? 

Yes, without a doubt! In fact, hydration is one of the most important preventive and curative measures in the treatment of kidney stones. Let’s see how: 

• Diluting Urine - Water intake is directly linked to the concentration of urine. Low water intake increases the presence of minerals such as calcium, oxalate, and uric acid, which then form into kidney stones. Proper hydration dilutes the urine, reducing the buildup of minerals and the formation of kidney stones.  
• Regulating urine pH balance - Optimal hydration regulates the pH balance of urine and reduces the risk of uric acid stones, which are caused by low pH acidic urine, and calcium phosphate stones, which arise from high pH alkaline urine.  
• Reducing crystal formation - Staying hydrated aids the kidneys and urinary tract in maintaining a steady flow of urine, eliminating crystal accumulation, which could lead to stone formation.  
• Helping flush out kidney stones - Drinking sufficient water increases urine volume, which helps flush out small stones and crystals. 

Minimizing the recurrence of kidney stones – For those who have had kidney stones previously, consistent and sufficient hydration prevents the recurrence of kidney stones (and anyone who’s had them once knows they don’t want them again)!  

How can a smart water bottle help in preventing kidney stones? 

A multi-year clinical trial performed by HidrateSpark in conjunction with the Mayo Clinic concluded that the usage of a smart water bottle might help patients meet their recommended water intake targets and increase urine output volume, all of which go towards minimizing the risk of developing kidney stones.  

Smart water bottles such as HidrateSpark make meeting your hydration goals easy and effortless. 

1. Set customized goals and schedules – HidrateSpark allows you to set customized hydration goals. People with diabetes, chronic kidney disease and other conditions may have unique hydration goals and should consult a physician. You can also customize your water intake schedule according to your lifestyle on the HidrateSpark app.  
2. Provides regular reminders – The HidrateSpark app and smart water bottle work in sync based on your hydration goals and other inputs to remind you to drink with glow reminders. So, no matter how busy your day gets, your smart water bottle is always there to get you back on track. 
3. Track your water intake – Forget the hassle of inputting data into your health app. HidrateSpark's advanced SipSense technology tracks the amount of water and other fluids you consume so that you can consistently meet your hydration goals.  
4. Analyze your progress – Track your daily, weekly, and monthly water intake on the HidrateSpark app or sync it with your favorite health apps, such as Apple Watch, Fitbit, and Google Fit. This allows you and your physician to analyze data, tweak goals, and schedules, and identify challenges to fulfilling your hydration goals.   

Learn more about how the HidrateSpark hydration system can help you meet your health goals. Browse the collection and pick one that fits your lifestyle, in your favorite color!