Written By: Debjani Arora | Updated : September 1, 2016 10:58 AM IST
Kidney stones can be silent or a painful condition. However, there are a lot of things about kidney stones that people need to know. Most believe that kidney stones can be genetic or only affect the elderly or that diet modifications can help prevent it. Dr Anup Ramani, Uro-Oncological & Robotic Surgeon, Lilavati, Breach Candy, Saifee Hospital shares some basic facts about kidney stones.
Fact 1: Anybody and everybody can develop kidney stones
The common misconception that people have is that kidney stones happen only in old age. But it reality it can happen to anyone. Infants, young children, teenagers and the elderly are at equal risk. It is not restricted to a particular age group or gender.
Fact 2: Men are more likely to develop kidney stones than women
Even though both men and women can suffer from kidney stones, statistically it is seen that men suffer from kidney stones more often than women. This is not to say that women will not be affected. It is good to keep a watch on certain symptoms that could indicate an occurrence of kidney stones like pain during urination, recurrent UTI (as bacteria thrives on the stones), sharp pain in the lower back and abdomen, etc. The symptoms are the same for both men and women.
Fact 3: Kidney stones can be asymptomatic at times
People with very small stones can show no symptoms at all during the initial stages. The stone can be in the kidneys without causing any obstruction to urine passage or other physiological functions. However, these stones only come to light when an x-ray or CT scan is done for other medical reasons like recurrent UTIss, bloating of the abdomen etc.
Fact 4: You can get kidney stones more than once
While there are certain markers and risk factors that make one more likely to get a stone (the condition runs in the family, excess of calcium intake, etc) but nothing has be proven with concrete studies till date. There are people who get the stones once and never again and then there are a set of people who might get it more than once. Usually, if a person gets a stone the second time then a number of investigations are carried out to check the functioning of the kidneys, thyroid, parathyroid, Vitamin D levels etc. However, most of the time the reports are normal and no one knows what triggers recurrent stones in them. Those who get kidney stones again are likely to form stones repeatedly in the course of their life time. These people need to take certain generic precautions such as drinking three litres of water every day, reducing salt and acidic intake. If there is an underlying condition that can be a reason behind the recurrent stone like a thyroid tumour or infection, then that needs to be treated to prevent recurrent stones. Another precaution that people with recurrent stones should takes is to go for a sonography annually to keep a track of their kidney health.
Fact 5: Altering diet and certain medications can help to prevent recurring kidney stones
Sometimes diet changes and change in certain medications might be needed to prevent kidney stones. Eating less meat, calcium, processed foods and hidden salts (in papads and pickles) can help. However, the thumb rule is to eat everything in moderation. In fact, many people avoid calcium intake for the fear that it might increase one s risk to form kidney stones. But calcium is necessary for a number of reasons and one of them is that it lessens your chances of forming kidney stones. In people who develop repeated calcium oxalates stones, intake of dietary calcium can help prevent it as calcium binds with oxalate from food sources and prevents it from entering the blood and the urinary tract where the stones are formed. So moderation is the key even when it comes to controlling diet to prevent kidney stones. If there are medications that you take (like antibiotics) which can be a reason for your stones discuss your medications with your doctor.
Fact 6: Acidic diet can make you prone to kidney stones
Especially, aerated drinks that are high in acidic content. Remember, urine is alkaline in nature and if you consume more of aerated drinks that are high in acid content it can change the composition of the urine and increase your chances of suffering from kidney stones. After you drink a can of cola it remains in your system for 36 hours changing the urine from alkaline to acidic. So if you love to sip aerated drinks more often you know the damage you are doing to yourself.
Fact 7: Not all kidney stones need a surgery
Most people think that kidney stones need surgery. However, stones can be treated with just medications. If a stone is less than 4mm it can pass through the urine when medications are prescribed. However, a surgery is needed if the stones are bigger than 7 or 8 mm. Also, when you need surgery depends on the size and location of the stones. If a surgery is needed it usually is done laparoscopically which promises less blood loss and faster recovery.
Fact 8: Drinking excess water is not a necessary precaution for kidney stones
It is true that lack of adequate water intake and humid conditions can be reasons for developing kidney stones. But that doesn t mean drinking water incessantly should be the method of precaution. Just sticking to your eight to 10 glasses will do the work. Drinking more water than needed can in fact take a toll on your organs and be a reason behind frequent trips to the restroom.
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