What dietary change should a patient make to decrease the risk of urinary stones?

Increasing fluid intake is an effective strategy for decreasing the risk of urinary stones. Adequate hydration dilutes the substances in urine that lead to stone formation, such as calcium, oxalate, and uric acid. When urine is more diluted, there is a lower concentration of these solutes, which reduces the likelihood of them crystallizing and forming stones.

Furthermore, increased fluid intake can enhance urinary output, allowing for more frequent urination. This helps clear potential stone-forming substances from the urinary tract before they can precipitate into stones. For individuals at risk for developing stones, particularly calcium oxalate stones, it's especially important to maintain higher fluid intake to mitigate the risk.

In contrast, decreasing fluid intake can lead to more concentrated urine, thereby increasing the risk of stone formation. Changes regarding calcium intake are also more nuanced; while certain types of stones may require calcium restriction, most individuals benefit from normal calcium intake balanced with adequate hydration. Therefore, increasing fluid intake is a straightforward and effective measure to help prevent urinary stones.