Actor Manmeet Singh says he used to suffer from kidney stones every 3 months, until his doctor told him a ‘secret’

Let’s learn more about kidney stones and whether drinking water really helps.

Dr Siddharth Lakhani, consultant nephrologist and transplant physician, SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim, A Fortis associate, affirmed that the more water you drink, the more diluted your urine will be. “This means that the concentration of calcium and other minerals in your urine will be less, thus reducing the chance of stone formation,” Dr Lakhani explained.

Notably, dehydration tends to accelerate the process as acidic substances in urine become more concentrated to form crystals and ultimately stones. “The symptoms are painful urination, abdominal discomfort, and blood in the urine. The doctor can prescribe medication to dissolve kidney stones. But, if the pain is intense and the stones are big, one may need surgery,” said Dr Nasreen Gite, consultant urologist, SRV Hospital, Chembur.

Water intake

According to Dr Lakhani, the goal is 2.5 to 3 litres or more, but usually, any additional amount of water is better than what you were drinking in the past. “You should be able to make 2.5 to 3 litres of urine volume every day,” said Dr Lakhani.

Type of water

Dr Lakhani reiterated that there’s no scientific data to prove  one type of water is better than another at preventing kidney stones.

 

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Can soda replace water?

Dr Lakhani advised caution and said that dark sodas, like cola and root beer, have been shown to increase the risk of kidney stones, and are thus best avoided.

One should also consider factors like mineral balance and medication, said Dr Puneet Bhuwania, consultant nephrologist and transplant physician, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road. “With the help of proper hydration, you can significantly reduce the frequency of kidney stone formation and improve your overall renal health and quality of life,” said Dr Bhuwania.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.