How to Treat and Prevent Kidney Stones

Discover expert insights on kidney stone prevention and management in this podcast episode featuring a physician, dietitian, pharmacist, and patient. Learn about key kidney stone risk factors and explore how dietary adjustments can reduce stone recurrence. Experts discuss fluid intake strategies, medication considerations, surgical indications, and even unconventional questions about roller coasters’ impact on stone passage. Tune in for actionable advice, myth-busting discussions, and interprofessional perspectives.

On today's episode we heard from:

Melanie Betz, MS, RD, CSR, FNKF, FAND is a nationally recognized renal dietitian and the Founder & CEO of The Kidney Dietitian. She is a Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition and a Fellow of both the National Kidney Foundation and the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. Melanie has published extensively on kidney stone prevention and nutrition, and has presented at numerous state, national, and international conferences on the topic. Through her clinical work, research, and educational outreach, she is dedicated to helping patients and professionals understand the critical role of diet in kidney health.

Mark Garofoli, PharmD, MBA, BCGP, CPE, CTTS is a Clinical Associate Professor at West Virginia University School of Pharmacy and a Clinical Pain & Addiction Pharmacist. With expertise in pain management, substance use disorders, and geriatric care, he brings both clinical and personal perspectives to kidney stone discussions. Mark has shared his experience through the Pain Pod podcast, PAINWeek presentations, and a published article detailing his own kidney stone journey.

Mary Raines, CRA is a retired clinical research associate with more than 30 years of experience in medical research. After learning she needed a kidney transplant, she dedicated herself to advocacy and now serves as a Patient Advocate with the National Kidney Foundation and other kidney health organizations. Mary brings both professional expertise and personal experience to her work, amplifying the voices and needs of people living with kidney disease.

Andrew Rule, MD, MSc is a Professor of Medicine and Consultant Nephrologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He divides his time between clinical care, research, and education, with a particular focus on kidney stone disease and its link to chronic kidney disease. Dr. Rule has published extensively on the epidemiology of kidney stones and provides specialized care in the Mayo Clinic’s nephrology stone clinic.

Bryan Tucker, DO, MS, FASN is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in Nephrology at Baylor College of Medicine, where he serves as a clinician educator teaching medical students, residents, and fellows while caring for patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings. He holds a master’s degree in nutrition from Columbia University and completed his nephrology fellowship at Yale. A Fellow of the American Society of Nephrology, Dr. Tucker has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters and is an active contributor to The Kidney Commute podcast.

Additional Resources:

Kidney Stone Information

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