Myths about Kidney Stones, Part 2

by National Institute of Health

(Page 2 of 2)

Researchers now believe that more rather than less calcium is better. Recent studies have shown that a diet with normal amounts of calcium is probably best. Over a period of five years, scientists studied a group of men with recurrent kidney stones and found that those who had normal calcium levels in their diet were less likely to form new stones than men who were on a low-calcium diet.

Dr. Hostetter explains that calcium is important because it binds to oxalate and removes it from the body. He adds, "The men also restricted their intake of animal protein and salt, which may explain why they had fewer stones."

Researchers are continuing to study the benefits of this diet. But for now, drinking that glass of milk and cutting back on the hamburgers and chips may help reduce your risk of kidney stones.

Myth: Most people with kidney stones have to undergo surgery.

Fact: Thankfully, this isn't true any longer.

The good news is that most kidney stones pass out of the body without any help. For those that require treatment, there are now a number of options that can be tried before surgery is considered. Major surgery is now usually the last resort for treating kidney stones.

For some people, drinking plenty of water may be all that's needed to help kidney stones pass easily from the urinary tract. Sometimes pain killers and diuretics, medicines that increase the flow of urine, are given as well. Depending on the type of stone you have, your doctor may recommend a special diet to help reduce or eliminate substances in the urine that can lead to kidney stones. Your doctor may also prescribe medications that can control the amount of calcium and other chemicals in your urine that can form kidney stones. NIH researchers are currently working to develop new drugs with fewer side effects.

If your kidney stones do not pass, you may need extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, commonly known as lithotripsy, a technique that uses shock waves produced outside the body to hit and break up the stones so they can pass out of the body. In some cases where stones are quite large or their location will not allow for lithotripsy, you may need surgery or urethroscopy, where a small fiberoptic instrument is placed into the ureter to remove the stones. Today, even with surgery, treatment is so improved that most stones can be removed without a long recovery time.

Myth: Once as person has kidney stones, there's nothing that can be done to prevent future stones. Fact: Most people can take action to reduce their risk of getting more stones.

It's true that once you have a kidney stone, you are more likely to have others down the road, but there are some things that you can do to help prevent this from happening.

As with other chronic conditions, the best treatment for kidney stones is prevention. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is one of the best ways to prevent future stones from forming. Your doctor may also want to run some laboratory tests and take a medical history to determine the factors that need to be changed to reduce the risk of future stones. A special diet and /or medicines may also be prescribed for you.

The most important thing you can do is to ask your doctor what you can do to prevent kidney stones from recurring.

Myth: If a person has kidney stones, he or she is more likely to have gallstones.

Fact: Not even close.

Gallstones and kidney stones are not related at all. They form in different areas of the body. Typically, those at risk for developing gallstones are a different group from those who have kidney stones. Women, Native and Mexican Americans, people over 60 and those on frequent diets are more likely to have gallstones.

Health experts say that by taking an active role in your health you may be able to reduce your risk of getting kidney stones. Dr. Hostetter concludes, "Maintaining a healthy diet with normal amounts of calcium, drinking adequate amounts of fluids, and seeing your doctor for regular check-ups are a good prescription for all of us."

About the Author

NIH is the nation's medical research agency - making important medical discoveries that improve health and save lives. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting medical research.