Drinking water is essential for our health and wellbeing. Not drinking enough water can lead to health complications such as dehydration, which contributes to the formation of kidney stones. Kidney stones are solid masses or clusters of crystals that form from substances such as minerals, acids, and salts in the kidneys. These stones can be as small as a grain of sand, or in rare cases, larger than a golf ball.
Stones occur when there is little liquid and too many of the minerals, acids, and other substances such as calcium, sodium, oxalate, and uric acid in the urine, causing them to stick together and form crystals or stones. Kidney stones can form over months or years.
According to research done by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), dehydration is an important risk factor for kidney stones because the body doesn’t have enough water to dilute minerals and salts in the urine. The research further stated that a person should drink enough water to have about two liters of urine output daily to prevent kidney stones and pay attention to the color of their urine to know if the goal is achieved or not. Dark colored urine is a sign of dehydration.
The most common symptom of kidney stones is pain in the lower back, belly, or side, which might feel like it extends from the groin to the side. This pain can be dull, or it can be sharp and severe and comes in waves. Other symptoms of kidney stones include:
- Bloody urine
- Pain when urinating
- The inability to urinate
- Feeling the urge to urinate a lot
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever or chills
Drinking water plays a very important role in preventing kidney stones because it helps dilute the urine and reduces the concentration of minerals and salts that can form stones. Drinking enough water throughout the day causes the kidneys to produce more urine, which helps flush out substances such as calcium, oxalate, and uric acid before they can combine and form crystals.
A healthcare provider can diagnose kidney stones by performing urine, imaging, and blood tests.
To treat a small kidney stone, a healthcare provider will have the person monitor their symptoms until it passes in their urine. They may also prescribe medications to keep them comfortable and help the stone pass on its own. Larger kidney stones need treatment depending on their size, location, whether they are causing infections or symptoms, and other factors.
Medications to treat kidney stones help relax the ureter to help pass the stone more easily, help manage any nausea and vomiting, and help manage pain.
Procedures to remove large kidney stones include:
- Shockwave lithotripsy
- Ureteroscopy
- Percutaneous nephrolithotomy
- Laparoscopic surgery
It is recommended to drink up to three liters of water daily and throughout the day to help prevent kidney stones from returning. Other ways to prevent kidney stones from returning include:
- Drinking water, but drinks like tea and coffee also count
- Adding fresh lemon juice to your water
- Avoiding eating too much salt
- Avoiding fizzy drinks
If you are experiencing symptoms of kidney stones and would like more information about receiving treatment from a urologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. To make an appointment, please call 718-206-7001.
FollowAll content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.