Myth or Fact: What’s True and What’s Not About Kidney Stones

Kidney stones come with plenty of myths attached, and Loren Jones, M.D., a urologist at Urology Austin, is setting the record straight in a myth-or-fact breakdown.

Staying well hydrated, Jones confirmed, is the single most effective and easiest thing most people can do to prevent kidney stones, since it dilutes the crystals in urine that form stones. It’s a myth, however, that all kidney stones are the same. Most are calcium oxalate, but others, including calcium phosphate, uric acid and infection-related struvite stones, each carry different risk factors, which is why Jones recommends seeing a urologist after any stone.

It’s also a myth that people always know when they have a kidney stone. Many stones form silently in the kidney and are discovered incidentally, since stones typically don’t cause pain until they attempt to pass. Surgery isn’t always required either. Small, asymptomatic stones can often be left alone safely, and Jones said most stones that do cause pain will pass on their own.

On prevention, Jones confirmed that drinking lemonade can help, both by increasing fluid intake and because citric acid binds calcium in a way that keeps it dissolved in urine rather than forming stones. He also confirmed that a high-protein diet raises stone risk by increasing urinary acid levels and lowering citrate, making fluids and citrus especially important for people who eat a lot of protein.

Jones dispelled the idea that only men get kidney stones, noting that while men have historically had higher rates, the gap between men and women has narrowed significantly in recent years. He also confirmed that high-oxalate foods like spinach, nuts and chocolate can contribute to stone formation, though he generally doesn’t recommend avoiding them entirely unless someone is a frequent stone former.

Once a stone starts passing, Jones said it’s a myth that nothing can be done to help. Certain medications can dilate the ureter and assist stones in passing that might otherwise require surgery. He also confirmed that while most kidney stones don’t cause lasting damage, stones that block the kidney for extended periods or recur frequently can lead to permanent kidney damage. Finally, Jones confirmed that excess calcium supplements can raise stone risk, since unused calcium is excreted through urine, increasing the mineral available to form calcium stones.