(You can check this by reading the ingredients list on the side of the bottle or can). They can also choose colas which don’t use phosphoric acid. Kidney stoners who want to play it safe might want to avoid colas and choose other beverages. Overall, the risk of forming stones from cola drinking seems to be mixed. They concluded that if a person’s diet was otherwise kept the same, the addition of cola would not increase the risk of stones (Curhan et al, Am Journal Epid, 1996). The authors found that cola intake did increase stone risk but that this appeared to be because individuals with higher cola intake also has other dietary factors that would increase their stone risk. In a study of 45,289 men, intake of 21 different types of beverages and the development of stones was determined over six years. More recent research has however questioned these early findings. Based on this study, avoidance of cola drinks is recommended by some physicians as a way to avoid stones. Phosphoric acid is most commonly used in colas (Coca Cola) while citric acid is most commonly used in fruit flavored sodas (Sprite). Additionally, they observed that those who refrained from sodas acidified by phosphoric acid as opposed to sodas acidified with citric acid had a more pronounced 15% lower likelihood of forming another stone (Shuster et al, J Clin Epidemiol, 1992). In their study, those who refrained were 6.4% less likely to form another stone than those who continued their soda intake. The belief that soda drinking is associated with increased kidney stone formation is supported by a study of 1,009 males randomized to refrain from or continue soft drinks over three years by Shushter and colleagues. My soda drinking is causing me to form stones. While those with a family history of stones are at 2.5 times greater risk of forming a stone than individuals without a family history, the majority of new stone formers actually do not have family history.Ĭontroversy 1. I shouldn’t be getting kidney stones because no one in my family has had them. Kidney stones are related to gallbladder stones (gallstones).Īlthough both are considered stones and have the word “bladder” associated with them, gallstones and kidney stones are not in any way related. The bottom line for those trying to keep their fluid intake up is that for the most part you can drink what you want. Cola drinking also doesn’t seem to increase risk. Some fluids previously felt to increase stone risk (tea, coffee, beer) actually seem to decrease risk. Research suggests that it is the volume of fluid you drink that is most important, not the type of fluid. Water is the only fluid useful to help prevent stones. 1 in every 11 Americans will experience a stone in their lifetime. Stones are actually more common than most people realize. There are however some medications that have been shown to speed stone passage in randomized studies. Drinking this olive oil and lemon juice will help lubricate my stone and help it pass.īesides sounding awful tasting, we are not aware of any studies showing that drinking this combination (or other similar home remedies) can improve stone passage. Instead, ingestion of cranberry juice results in a mixed effect on urinary factors which probably leads to no benefit or potentially increased stone risk for most patients (Gettman et al, J Urol, 2005). While cranberry juice can help in the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections, it does not seem to have an overall beneficial effect for stone formers. Cranberry juice will help me prevent stones. However, even in these cases, surgery is still sometimes required to remove or treat the stones. ![]() In select patients with uric acid stones (5-7% of stones) or cystine stones (1-3% of stones), medications can potentially be used to help dissolve their stones. This myth has an asterisk because it is actually true in select cases.įor the majority of stones formers, including those with calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones (80% of stones), there is no medication available that can successfully dissolve their stones. I can take something to dissolve my stones* ![]() Find out more on our page on calcium intake. In fact, several studies have shown that restricting calcium intake in most stone formers actually increases the number of stones they develop. I got a kidney stone because of my calcium intake.ĭespite the fact that calcium is a major component of 75% of stones, excessive calcium intake is very rarely the cause of stone formation. Other beliefs we consider controversial and are likely to also be incorrect based on expert opinion. Some commonly held beliefs about kidney stones can be considered myths, without any supporting evidence.
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