5 misconceptions about kidney stones

Many people mistakenly believe that kidney stones do not recur after treatment, and that reducing calcium in the diet helps prevent the disease.

Sweat as much as possible.

Saunas, hot yoga, and high-intensity exercise are good for your health, but they can increase your risk of kidney stones if you don't drink enough water. According to the National Kidney Foundation, this is because these activities cause large amounts of water to be lost from the body through sweat. The more you sweat, the less urine you produce, creating conditions for minerals that cause stones to deposit and accumulate in the kidneys and urinary tract.

Drinking plenty of water to urinate frequently, especially in hot weather, and exercising can help prevent kidney stones.

Drinking plenty of water when exercising or in hot weather helps prevent kidney stone formation. Photo: Freepik

Avoid foods high in oxalate to prevent kidney stones.

Oxalate is found in many foods, including fruits and vegetables, grains, nuts, beans, chocolate, and tea. Foods high in oxalate include peanuts, spinach, beets, chocolate, and sweet potatoes. People with calcium oxalate stones (the most common type of kidney stone) should consume these foods in moderation.

Cutting back on oxalate-rich foods helps reduce calcium oxalate kidney stones, a misconception. Dr. Allan Jhagroo of the University of Wisconsin, USA, explains that most oxalate stones form when oxalate binds with calcium in urine. People can eat foods rich in both calcium and oxalate in the same meal. This allows the two substances to bind together in the stomach and intestines before the kidneys process them, reducing the likelihood of kidney stone formation.

Calcium is a cause of kidney stones.

Many people believe that calcium is the main "culprit" behind calcium oxalate kidney stones. Dr. Jhagroo says that some people experience recurrent kidney stones even after reducing their calcium intake.

Mr. Jhagroo explained that it is a low-calcium diet that increases the risk of developing kidney stones. People don't need to reduce their calcium intake; instead, they should limit their salt intake and combine foods rich in calcium and oxalate.

There is only one type of kidney stone.

Besides calcium oxalate, another common type of kidney stone is uric acid stone. Red meat, organ meats, and shellfish have high concentrations of a naturally occurring chemical compound called purine. High purine levels lead to the body producing more uric acid, resulting in a larger amount of acid for the kidneys to excrete. High acid levels in urine make uric acid stones more likely to form.

According to the National Kidney Foundation of the United States, to prevent kidney stones, you should reduce your intake of purine-rich foods, eat a healthy diet, prioritizing vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. Limit sugary foods and drinks, especially corn syrup. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption, as it can also increase uric acid levels in the blood.

Kidney stones can be completely cured.

Kidney stones can continue to form even after treatment. According to Dr. Jhagroo, if patients don't take their medication properly and adjust their diet, the stones can return. Recurrent kidney stones can also be a sign of other problems, such as kidney disease.

Mr. Ngoc

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