Reviewed 2/1/2023
Kidney stones: True or false?
Every year, kidney stones send more than a half million people to emergency department. But you can take certain steps to help keep stones from forming. See if you know the facts with this quiz.
True or false: Drinking plenty of water is one of the best ways to help prevent kidney stones.
True. Kidney stones start forming when urine has too much waste in too little liquid. Staying hydrated helps you stay stone-free because it keeps your urine less concentrated with waste products.
True or false: Carrying extra pounds makes you more prone to stones.
True. Obesity does raise risk. Even so, don't try to drop pounds by resorting to an extreme diet, sweating excessively or using laxatives. Doing these things can also make you vulnerable to kidney stones.
True or false: Eating a lot of calcium can cause stones to form.
False. Although most kidney stones are in part made up of calcium compounds, a diet low in calcium actually raises your chance of winding up with a kidney stone.
True or false: Adding more salt to your diet can help protect you from kidney stones.
False. Curbing sodium lowers the risk of the most common kinds of kidney stones. So don't add salt when cooking, keep the shaker off your dinner table and check nutrition labels to see how much sodium is in food before buying it.
True or false: If you've already had a kidney stone, you don't need to worry about another.
False. If you've had one, you have about a 50% chance of developing another stone within 5 to 7 years. Changing your diet and taking certain medications can help you avoid future stones. Work with a doctor to figure out the best plan for you.
While these tips may help you prevent kidney stones, it's helpful to know how they form—and what having one feels like. Information is just a stone's throw away.
Sources
- American Family Physician. "Preventing Kidney Stones With Diet and Nutrition." https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2011/1201/p1243.html.
- FamilyDoctor.org. "Kidney Stones." https://familydoctor.org/condition/kidney-stones.
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. "Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Kidney Stones." https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/kidney-stones/eating-diet-nutrition.
- National Kidney Foundation. "6 Easy Ways to Prevent Kidney Stones." https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kidneystones_prevent.
- National Kidney Foundation. "Kidney Stones." https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kidneystones.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture MyPlate. "Be Salt Smart." https://www.myplate.gov/tip-sheet/be-salt-smart.
People aren't always comfortable talking about urinary problems, prostate disease or sexual dysfunction. But you can trust your concerns with the urologists at University Health. We're experts in diagnosing and treating the special urological health needs of both men and women.
Our urologists are board-certified, and they have undergone additional training in male urinary reconstruction, female incontinence, genitourinary trauma and genitourinary oncology.
Conditions our urologists treat
We have extensive experience treating a wide range of urologic conditions, such as:
- Diseases of the male genitalia.
- Erectile dysfunction.
- Genitourinary cancers, such as cancer of the kidney, bladder and prostate.
- Incontinence issues in men and women.
- Kidney stones.
- Overactive bladder in men and women.
- Prostatic hyperplasia.
- Urinary difficulties.
- Urinary tract infections.
We use the most advanced technology in our urology clinic. Treatments and procedures we provide include:
- Catheter evaluation and care.
- Cystoscopy to view the inner lining of the bladder and urethra.
- Lithotripsy to break up stones in the kidneys and ureters.
- Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation, or PTNS, to treat overactive bladder.
- Urodynamic testing to assess bladder function.
Learn more about our urology services
You don't need a referral to be seen in our urologic clinic. To make an appointment, call 816.404.4400.
Related Articles and Resources
What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are one of the most common problems affecting the urinary system. The Urology Care Foundation (UCF) reports that about 13% of American men and 6% of women will will have a kidney stone at least once in their lives.
The symptoms of kidney stones include:
- Severe pain, usually in the lower back, side or groin.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Frequent and painful urination.
- Weakness, fever and chills.
- Blood in the urine.
- Blocked urination.
How stones form
Kidney stones form when crystals separate from the urine and stick to the inner surfaces of the kidney. They range in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball.
Several factors affect your kidney stone risk:
- A family history of kidney stones.
- Kidney disorders.
- Metabolic disorders (problems that interfere with how your body digests or uses food).
- Chronic urinary tract infections.
- Limited activity for several weeks.
- Misuse of some medications.
Most kidney stones are made of calcium combined with other substances. Others consist of uric acid or cystine.
Passing stones
Most kidney stones will pass out of the urinary tract on their own or with a little help.
People waiting for stones to pass should continue to drink normal amounts of water, according to the UCF, enough to make at least 2.5 liters of urine per day. Many stones can be passed at home with the help of pain relievers.
Other treatments include medication, the use of sound shock waves to break up the stones, and surgical removal.
Preventing stones
According to the National Institutes of Health, the easiest and best way to prevent kidney stones is to drink plenty of liquids, preferably water. Dietary changes are helpful in some cases, as well as medication.
Reviewed 2/22/2023