A couple of weeks ago I suffered excruciating pain in my back and side. It was diagnosed as a kidney stone and, sure enough, a couple of days later I passed the offending object in my urine. The whole experience was extremely unpleasant and I wish to do everything possible to prevent if from happening again. What do you suggest - I'm female, aged 38?

Kidney stones are accumulations of mineral salts that can occur anywhere along the urinary tract. When small they cause virtually no pain, but if they become large enough to restrict the flow of urine, or begin to pass through the tract, they can be one of the most painful of all health disorders. There are four different types, but by far the most common are calcium stones. These often run in families, and are also more common in soft-water areas. If you do pass a stone, it is helpful to pass it on to your health care provider for analysis

Assuming the stone you passed was a calcium stone, there are several things you can do to help prevent a recurrence. Increasing water consumption to 8 glasses a day dilutes urine, preventing concentration of the mineral salts that form stones. The juice of ½ a fresh lemon in warm water first thing every morning helps to prevent stones from forming, and a daily cup of Nettle or Marshmallow tea, available from good health shops, helps to cleanse the kidneys. Try to cut down on sugar and refined (white) carbohydrates, animal fats and protein, fizzy drinks and stimulants such as caffeine, all of which cause extra calcium to be excreted. Vitamin A and magnesium can discourage stone formation, so increase foods such as apricots, carrots, pumpkin, root and leafy-green vegetables, and wholegrains such as brown rice. Exercise also helps to move calcium from the blood to the bones where it belongs.

Useful supplements include Lifestream's Aloe Vera juice, available from Xynergy Health Products www.xynergy.co.uk tel 08456 585858, which helps to ease inflammation and prevent stone formation. The homeopathic tissue salt Calc Fluor, available from most good health food shops, also helps to break down and prevent the formation of kidney stones.

Stella New RSHom is a registered homeopath and dietary therapist based in West Sussex. Prior to her training she spent many years as an expedition leader, taking groups into some of the most challenging parts of the world, where she was inspired by the use of natural remedies for treating all manner of ailments. Email stella@stellanew.co.uk