“I don’t eat too much salt — I would not get kidney stones!”
“You only get kidney stones when you’re old, right?”
“Drinking beer will wash them all away!”
Sounds familiar?
If you’ve ever heard (or even believed) such things, you’re in good company. Kidney stones are one of those maladies that tend to present in extremes. The real problem? These kidney stone myths can affect a delay seeking appropriate treatment or even create incorrect behaviors which can increase your risk in reality.
The time has come to clear the air and sort fact from fiction. Whether you’ve passed a kidney stone before, have a friend or family member who has, or just want to keep your kidneys healthy, this post is your go-to source for breaking up the most common kidney stone myths.
Prevalent Kidney Stones Myths
Let’s break them down — one by one.
Myth 1: Men Are the Only Ones Who Get Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are widely regarded as a “man’s problem” although in the last three decades there has been a growing incidence of cases in women. While it’s a fact that men historically did have higher rates, the gap is narrowing quickly. Because of lifestyle habits, poor hydration, poor diets and increasing rates of obesity, women are as likely as men to develop kidney stones these days.
Fact: Men and women can develop kidney stones. If something else doesn’t kill you, premature death is inevitable.
Myth 2: Beer Rinses Kidney Stones Away
This is perhaps the most pervasive myth, and in many ways the most destructive. Some people suggest that drinking beer can help “wash out” the stones. And though alcohol can cause you to urinate more, that activity doesn’t do anything to reduce your risk of getting a kidney stone. In reality, too much beer or alcohol can contribute to dehydration, which increases the likelihood of stones forming.
Fact: The optimal drink for preventing kidney stones is clear water. Citrus drinks (not the kind that adds sugar, of course) may also be helpful.
Myth 3: One Only Gets Kidney Stones Due to Too Much Salt consumption
Sure, a diet high in sodium will increase your risk of developing stones, but it’s certainly not the only culprit. Eating too much of foods high in oxalates, too much animal protein in the diet, not enough calcium in the diet, and not drinking enough fluids are also important factors.
Fact: Kidney stones grow when minerals or salts build in the kidneys. Diet, genetics, fluid consumption, even certain medical conditions all contribute — and not just salt alone.
Myth 4: If You’ve Passed a Kidney Stone, You Won’t Have Another One
Wish that were true! Regrettably, however, if you’ve had a kidney stone, there’s a pretty good chance you might get another — unless you take preventive measures.
Fact: Approximately 50 percent of people who have had a kidney stone will have another one within 5 to 7 years if they do not continue to control dietary and fluid intake.
Myth 5: Baby Stones Can Go Untreated
Many think that if a stone is small, they can simply ignore it. In point of fact, even small stones can get larger or change position and lead to excruciating pain or blockages.
Fact: Those smaller than 5 mm are likely to pass on their own, but those larger than 5-6 mm may need medical treatment or even be surgically removed. You don’t want to ignore symptoms.
Myth 6: Cut Back or Limit Your Calcium to Prevent Stones
This one’s tricky. Many stones are made from calcium, she said, and everyone thinks eliminating calcium in the diet will stop them. But the opposite is actually true — not enough calcium may actually up your risk.
Fact: Your intestines take up calcium, binding to some of the oxalate in there, which diminishes the amount in your urine. Which is why people who eat low-calcium diets end up with higher amounts of oxalate in the kidneys, and a greater chance of developing stones.
The answer is to obtain your calcium from whole foods, not supplements (unless your doctor advises differently).
Myth 7: Kidney Stones Are Always Extremely Painful
For many of us, kidney stones are excruciatingly painful. But certain stones won’t produce symptoms of pain until they shift or obstruct the flow of urine.
Truth: Quiet little stones can hang out in your kidneys for months—or years—before you have any inkling there’s a problem. That’s why regular checkups and ultrasound screenings are important, especially if you’ve had stones in the past.
Myth 8: Surgery for Kidney Stones Is High Risk and Requires a Long Period in the Hospital
Gone are the days of large cuts, long hospitalizations and hard recoveries from kidney stone surgeries. Newer methods such as RIRS (Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery) and lasers mean that we can remove these kidney stones rapidly, safely, and with minimal downtime for the patient.
Fact: When managed by experts, kidney stone removal can be performed the same day so you can go home sooner, enabling you to pick up where you left off and get on with your life.
Myth 9: Kidney Stones Are Uncommon
No, they’re not. Kidney stones are highly, highly common in countries like India where hot weather, dehydration, and diet increase the risk of developing them. They can be found in children, young adults, and older individuals.
Fact: 1 in 10 people will have a kidney stone in his or her lifetime. The good news is that awareness, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are the keys to staying ahead of this painful issue.
Myth 10: Regardless of how much water you consume in one day, the stone will be flushed out momentarily.
And guzzling liters of water when you experience discomfort isn’t miraculously going to gargle a kidney stone down the drain. It can be useful for very small stones, but big ones or ones that are stuck won’t pass without flomax, or water.
Fact: It’s regular hydration, day-over-day, week-over-week, month-over-month that is the key to preventing kidney stones — not dumping a lot of water in the system suddenly when you feel symptoms coming on.
Conclusion: Get The Right Treatment from the Right Expert
Buying into these myths can delay treatment, exacerbate pain, or even negatively affect your kidney health. If you think you have a kidney stone, or might be at risk, don’t gamble — and do not listen to random advice.
For safe, modern and fast treatment of kidney stones, consult Dr Deepanshu Gupta at Curetone hospital, Gurgaon. Renowned for performing some of the fastest RIRS and kidney stone removal surgeries, Dr.Deepanshu with latest techniques and extensive experience ensures that you recover quickly and comfortably.
If you’ve been having pain or repeated episodes of stone disease, it’s time to see a true expert in this space who believes in treating not just the disease but also breaking the myths around it.
Select the best for your kidney care. Dr. Deepanshu Gupta at Curetone is your best option.