Introduction



Following the wrong kidney stone advice is just as bad as ignoring the problem altogether! Channel your time and energy into real health gains by steering clear of these common myths that we’re about to expose.



&#8220;Kidney stones can be dissolved by drinking acidic beverages.”



False! Many stone formers believe that drinking acidic beverages, such as apple cider vinegar (ACV) and cranberry juice, can lower their urine pH to dissolve kidney stones. The reality is, the human body is extremely complex, and ‘acid in’ doesn’t mean ‘acid out’! Everything you consume is first processed in your stomach, where the pH of foods is neutralized during digestion1. In short, the pH of what you eat and drink will not affect your urine pH directly!



Besides, most kidney stones cannot be dissolved once formed. Only uric acid, brushite and cystine stones, which make up 10%, 2% and 1% of all kidney stones, can be dissolved with medication2. Don’t fall for online claims which suggest otherwise! If you’re trying to pass a stone naturally, just drink up. The more fluids you drink, the more urine you’ll produce, which is the most effective way to flush out your stones3.



&#8220;Most kidney stones will pass naturally without the need for surgery.”



Unfortunately, the answer isn’t a straightforward yes or no. It depends on a number of crucial factors, including the size and location of your stone.



Smaller stones are more likely to pass on their own. In fact, stones under 5mm pass naturally 80% of the time, with the help of medications like Tamsulosin (e.g. Flomax). Plus, the location of your stone within your urinary tract also matters. The closer your stone is to your bladder, the more likely it is to pass naturally4.



On the other hand, larger stones and stones closer to your kidneys pose a greater challenge. Not only are these stones less likely to pass on their own, they are prone to complications such as blockages and intense pain. In such cases, your urologist may recommend procedures like extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), ureteroscopy (URS), or percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) to remove your stones effectively.



&#8220;If the pain goes away, it means your kidney stone has passed.”



If only it was that easy to tell! While it’s true that the intensity of pain may decrease as your stone inches closer to making its exit, pain alone is not a good indicator. Sometimes, smaller stones may pass through your urinary tract without causing any pain at all! In other cases, a stone might remain in your kidney or ureters without causing any immediate discomfort5.



To accurately determine if you&#8217;ve passed a stone, imaging tests like CT scans and ultrasounds can provide crucial insights. They can pinpoint the exact location of your stone, whether it&#8217;s in your kidney, ureter, or bladder6,7. Knowing exactly where your stone is can help you anticipate when it might pass, sparing you from any unnecessary guesswork!



&#8220;Having a smaller stent means dealing with less stent pain.” Don&#8217;t be fooled, the length and thickness of your stent will not determine how much discomfort it causes8. In fact, opting for a shorter stent might even increase the chances of it migrating, which could lead to even more discomfort8. Instead of requesting for a smaller stent, there are better ways to manage the discomfort that comes with it. Medications like anti-inflammatories and alpha-blockers can make a big difference! They provide relief by relaxing the muscles in your bladder9. Heat therapy can also provide relief by reducing inflammation and muscle spasms10. Whether it&#8217;s a warm bath, shower, or a comforting hot water bottle, heat can work wonders in easing your symptoms!



&#8220;You can only form one type of stones.” Turns out, you can develop more than one type of stone, either simultaneously or over time. While calcium oxalate stones are the most common type, your diet, medical history and certain medications can increase your chances of forming other stone types too. Wondering what type of stones you&#8217;re prone to forming? Taking a <a href="https://wpewellness.worstpainever.com/urine-test">24-hour urine test</a> is your best bet to get the full picture.



Calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones can develop in your kidneys at the same time, as they’re both triggered by high calcium levels in your urine. In fact, they can even combine to form mixed stones11! Plus, it’s also possible to develop calcium oxalate and uric acid stones at the same time. Both stones are linked to having a low urine pH, which could be caused by following a diet rich in animal protein12.



Conclusion



With these common myths dispelled, take heart knowing you&#8217;re now better equipped to manage your stones. Taking active steps to learn about your stones is great, but knowing how to discern fact from fiction is equally, if not more, important! If you’re looking for accurate information about kidney stones, be sure to explore our resources <a href="https://wpewellness.worstpainever.com/resources">right here</a>.



References:



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<li>Alelign, T., &amp; Petros, B. (2018). Kidney Stone Disease: An update on current concepts.&nbsp;Advances in Urology,&nbsp;2018, 1–12.&nbsp;<a href="https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/3068365" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/3068365</a></li>



<li>Solan, M. (2023).&nbsp;How to pass a kidney stone &amp; 5 tips to prevent them. Harvard Health.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/5-things-can-help-take-pass-kidney-stones-2018030813363" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/5-things-can-help-take-pass-kidney-stones-2018030813363</a></li>



<li>Coll, D. M., Varanelli, M. J., &amp; Smith, R. C. (2002). Relationship of spontaneous passage of ureteral calculi to stone size and location as revealed by unenhanced Helical CT.&nbsp;American Journal of Roentgenology,&nbsp;178(1), 101–103.&nbsp;<a href="https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.178.1.1780101" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.178.1.1780101</a></li>



<li>Wimpissinger, F., Türk, C., Kheyfets, O., &amp; Stackl, W. (2007). The Silence of the Stones: Asymptomatic ureteral calculi.&nbsp;The Journal of Urology,&nbsp;178(4), 1341–1344.&nbsp;<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2007.05.128" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2007.05.128</a></li>



<li>Low dose unenhanced helical computerized tomography for the evaluation of acute flank pain. (2002). PubMed.&nbsp;<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11912388/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11912388/</a></li>



<li>Fowler, K. a. B., Locken, J. A., Duchesne, J. H., &amp; Williamson, M. R. (2002). US for Detecting Renal Calculi with Nonenhanced CT as a Reference Standard.&nbsp;Radiology,&nbsp;222(1), 109–113.&nbsp;<a href="https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2221010453" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2221010453</a></li>



<li>Betschart, P., Zumstein, V., Piller, A., Schmid, H., &amp; Abt, D. (2017). Prevention and treatment of symptoms associated with indwelling ureteral stents: A systematic review.&nbsp;International Journal of Urology,&nbsp;24(4), 250–259.&nbsp;<a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/iju.13311" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://doi.org/10.1111/iju.13311</a></li>



<li>Damiano, R., Autorino, R., De Sio, M., Cantiello, F., Quarto, G., Perdonà, S., Sacco, R., &amp; D’Armiento, M. (2005). Does the size of ureteral stent impact urinary symptoms and quality of life? a prospective randomized study.&nbsp;European Urology,&nbsp;48(4), 673–678.&nbsp;<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2005.06.006" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2005.06.006</a></li>



<li>Fischer, K. M., Louie, M., &amp; Mucksavage, P. (2018). Ureteral stent discomfort and its management.&nbsp;Current Urology Reports,&nbsp;19(8).&nbsp;<a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-018-0818-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-018-0818-8</a></li>



<li>Xie, B., Halter, T. J., Borah, B. M., &amp; Nancollas, G. H. (2014). Aggregation of calcium phosphate and oxalate phases in the formation of renal stones.&nbsp;Crystal Growth &amp; Design,&nbsp;15(1), 204–211.&nbsp;<a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/cg501209h" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://doi.org/10.1021/cg501209h</a></li>



<li>Crusinberry, R. A., Henslee, D. L., Howe, P. E., Lacy, S. S., Larson, C. E., Lepinski, A. J., Wiebusch, L. A., Wiltfong, D. B., &amp; UROLOGY, P.C. (2004). Hyperuricosuric calcium oxalate Kidney Stones. In&nbsp;Essential Urology: A Guide to Clinical Practice. <a href="https://lincolnurologypc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/MixedUricAcidandCalciumOxalateStones.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://lincolnurologypc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/MixedUricAcidandCalciumOxalateStones.pdf</a></li>
</ol>

5 Kidney Stone Myths That’ll Surprise You

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