Myth and Facts about Kidney Stones

Public Opinion

Myth or Reality

Key Knowledge Points!

• Calcium intake increases stone formation; hence its consumption should be stopped

• Restricting calcium intake in diet can be counter-productive and may increase stone formation. 
• Calcium binds to oxalate in the intestine and decreases its absorption, hence its restriction will allow oxalate to get absorbed in the diet and increase stone formation.
• Also, Calcium is necessary for good bones and joints.

• Beer drinking increases the chances of stone expulsion

• Increased beer intake leads to increase purine intake by the body and the formation of purine stones and increases the risk of alcoholic liver disease as well

• Soda/cold drink intake leads to kidney stones

• All cold drinks have high fructose content and the black-colored soft drinks are acidified with phosphoric acid– both of these increase oxalate formations in the liver, so increasing the risk of oxalate stone formation. 
• The best is to take plain water, coconut water, lassi, and fruit juices

• If pain due to stone has vanished, stone has come out of the body

• Not always true, pain will surely subside with medicines or once the kidney stops working, it may or may not recur despite the presence of stone inside the body. Some big stones are painless.
• Always consult your doctor to confirm that the stone has passed from the body

• Kidney stones are harmless

• NOT TRUE!!! Stones can cause progressive kidney damage leading to renal failure, infections, and sometimes sepsis

• Stones are formed again and again if they are removed via surgery

• Stones form due to metabolic abnormalities in the body. Re-formation does not correlate with whether stones are spontaneously removed or are removed with the help of surgery

• Open surgery is better than endoscopic surgery

• Open surgery is very rarely indicated for renal stones in modern practice.
• Modern endoscopic procedures available for the treatment of kidney/ ureteric stones have excellent results.
• Stones form due to metabolic abnormality in the body, endoscopic/open surgery has no relation to stone recurrence.