Should you have ever suffered the agony of kidney stones, you’ll certainly not want to go through it a second time. Kidney stones are small, pebble-like structures that develop in one or both of your kidneys, in relation to higher concentrations of some minerals inside the urine.
Whether it be home remedies that assert themselves to dissolve stones, or dietary myths that profess to prevent them — the truth is elusive.
In reality, the truth is that these myths may do far more harm than good to your problem, leaving you somewhat frustrated with nowhere to go. These things can lead to misinformation and poor decisions with too much agony, making one more difficult with a kidney stone.
So, today we will address the 10 most prevalent myths about kidney stones and tell you what is true and what is not. Once these myths are cleared up, you can take charge of your kidney health and make the right choices for the future. Now, it is time to bust the myths and arm you with the right information to combat kidney stones!
10 Common Kidney Stone Myths
Here are 10 common kidney stone myths that you should know to prevent any confusion:-
1. Myth: Drinking Less Water Prevents Stones
Truth: Many believe that lesser access to water means lesser chance of stones formation but it is the other way round. The urine becomes concentrated in water when there is not enough to drink and this leads again to the risk of stones. To prevent kidney stone, good hydration is the key—at least 8–10 glasses/day of water. Drinking enough will result in clear urine.
2. Myth: Only Older People Get Kidney Stones
Truth: Kidney stones can develop in anyone because of several reasons Only more rare in individuals under 40, young adults and even adolescents can create rocks. Though a lot of it depends on your lifestyle, your diet and genetics too. And it’s not some “old person problem.”
3. Myth: Stopping Calcium Will Cutt Off Stones
Truth: It would make sense that if you have stones and your diet is a source of calcium then it helps by avoiding calcium. But it’s the opposite! This is done at the risk of cutting out calcium when deprivation can actually promote more stones since calcium binds oxalate in your digestive tract. Too little calcium can lead to high levels of oxalate, which then forms stones. And stay with calcium-containing food (milk, for example) but generally keep away from supplements if your doctor is not commanding you to take it.
4. MYTH: Kidney Stones Are Always Painful
Truth: For this, there is a little truth and a little untruth. Some come through so low-key that you actually don’t realize. But larger stones can get trapped and cause intense discomfort. Just because you do not feel pain does not mean that there is nothing, so if you think it may be a kidney stone, do not waste time and book an appointment as soon as possible.
5. Myth: Lemon juice breaks down kidney stones
Truth: There are loads of claims on the internet about lemon juice being a magic bullet to dissolve kidney stones. Lemon juice keeps citrate in your urine, which helps prevent stones but it does not dissolve stone. Lemon water can still be a healthy drink, but don’t consider it a miracle beverage for kidney stones.
6. Myth: Once You Have Had One Stone, You Will Not Get Another
Truth: Apparently, getting a kidney stone only once does not protect you from having more. In fact, after you get one the likelihood of getting another are greater. Measures like drinking lots of water, controlling your diet and periodic check-ups are necessary to prevent this from reoccurring.
7. Myth: Cranberry juice prevents kidney stones
Truth: Cranberry juice is good for your urine — but not kidney stones. Cranberries may boost urine oxalate levels, a major player in stone formation. Cranberry juice could be counterproductive and if you are prone to oxalate stones, it could even cause more harm than good.
8. Myth: Just Men Get Kidney Stones
Truth: Even though men get kidney stones more often than women, the latter can also (and do) get affected by them. Women have different symptoms, indeed; they urinate often or burn. Getting kidney stones do not care if you are male or female.
9. Myth: If You Pass a Kidney Stone You Must Have Surgery
Truth: Every stone must be operated. Most can die on their own with appropriate hydration and medication to control the pain. If the stone is large enough or produces sufficient complications to cause a significant problem then doctors may suggest minimally invasive methods. Surgery tends to be the last option however.
10. Myth: If you have a tendency to form stones, diet will not have an effect
Truth: What you eat is one of the biggest factors for kidney stone prevention. Some foods especially those that have high levels of oxalates (like spinach, chocolate and nuts) can make you prone to it. A non acidic diet, low in sodium and full of calcium prevents the formation of stones. Your doctor can also give you personalized recommendations, depending on what kind of stones you’re more likely to create.
Being mindful of some critical information regarding kidney stones can enable you to make healthier decisions about your health. Please do not be misguided by them—be aware and prepared, it is the best shield.
Get rid of all kidney stone myths & contact us at CureStone
Kidney problems may seem to be annoying, but we are here to provide you with some relief and permanent cure. At CureStone, we have a specialised team of expert professionals that prescribe the best treatment based on your requirements.
At our clinic, we not only tackle kidney stones—but also focus on prevention. We will be with you from your first consultation through to recovery, helping to ensure that our advanced techniques keep you pain-free for the long term.
We have unique expertise in this area, with a focus on holistic and preventive care. We not only aim for stone removal in our treatment processes, but we also identify the underlying causes behind stones formation and implement lifestyle modifications to avoid further complications in future. Under our care you can live a healthier, more confident life liberated from the infinite cycle of kidney stones.
When you think of CureStone, you think not just as a patient, but as part of the journey towards a better health. We listen to your concerns and support you every step of the way with our compassionate team, ensuring you feel empowered during the course of treatment.
Want expert care and a future without stones and pain? Contact us today!