What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are solid masses of crystals that develop inside the kidneys and along the urinary tract. They are formed when certain minerals in your urine are not flushed out, leading to the formation of crystals. These tiny crystals continue collecting other waste types until a stone develops. They can be painful and cause nausea, fever, and painful urination [1, 2, 3, 4].
What causes kidney stones?
The causes of kidney stones are multifactorial. They can be attributed to hereditary, environmental, dietary, anatomical, metabolic, or infectious factors. A high intake of proteins, certain medications, bacterial factors, or contamination with greenhouse gases can contribute to their formation.
Certain health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndromes are also considered risk factors for stone formation[5, 6].
Dietary habits play a significant role in the formation of kidney stones. For instance, a diet high in animal proteins, salt, or sugars can increase the risk of kidney stones. Furthermore, low fluid intake or excessive consumption of certain foods rich in oxalate, such as potato chips, peanuts, chocolate, and spinach, can also form these stones [7, 8].
Can energy drinks cause kidney stones?
Current research suggests that energy drinks are unlikely to cause kidney stones directly and that caffeine intake from beverages like coffee and tea may decrease the risk of developing kidney stones [9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14].
However, some studies have found that certain ingredients in energy drinks, such as sugar and phosphoric acid, could potentially increase the risk of kidney stones if consumed in excess. One case report also suggested a possible link between heavy energy drink consumption and acute pancreatitis [16].
To minimize kidney stone risk, experts recommend staying well-hydrated, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, and limiting sodium and meat consumption [4]. Moderate consumption of caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea may also be beneficial. However, more research is needed on the specific effects of energy drinks.
Prevention of Kidney Stones
Kidney stones can be a painful condition, but there are several ways to prevent them.
Hydration
One of the most effective methods is to stay well-hydrated. It's recommended to drink enough fluid to pass at least 2.5 litres of urine each day [2]. This can be achieved by drinking at least 64 ounces(1.8 litres) of water daily [1].
Diet
The diet also plays a crucial role in preventing kidney stones. Limiting your intake of salt and animal proteins can lower your risk of kidney stones [2]. Restricting your intake of high-oxalate foods, such as spinach, chocolate, and sweet potatoes, is highly recommended [17].
Calcium
Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to restrict your calcium intake. A sufficient calcium intake of 1000-1200 mg/day is recommended [18]. However, calcium supplements may increase your risk of stones, so it's better to get your calcium from food sources like low-fat milk, cheese, and yoghurt [17].
Healthy Lifestyle
Maintaining a healthy body weight and avoiding processed foods can also help prevent kidney stones [1].
Medication
In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medications to help prevent the formation of calcium and uric acid stones [2].
In summary, preventing kidney stones involves proper hydration, a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and possibly medication. Always consult with your doctor for personalized advice.
Treatment of Kidnes Stones
Kidney stones can be treated in various ways, depending on their size and the severity of the symptoms they cause.
For small kidney stones, the primary treatment is to drink large amounts of water, which can help the kidneys pass the stone naturally [3, 2, 19, 3]. It's recommended to drink enough fluid to pass at least 2.5 litres of urine each day [2, 20].
Sometimes, prescription medication can help reduce the acid in your urine to make passing easier [3]. Over-the-counter pain relievers may ease the pain of a small stone; if these are insufficient, your doctor can recommend a more vital medication [3].
For larger stones that are causing severe symptoms or that might be causing an infection, surgical options may be required. These include shock-wave lithotripsy, which uses sound waves to break up the stones so they can pass through the urine [3, 19, 3].
Another surgical option is ureteroscopy, which uses a thin tool called an endoscope that's inserted through the urethra to remove the kidney stone [3, 19, 3].
In some cases, a surgery called nephrolithotomy may be performed. This surgery creates a passageway from the kidney to the skin to remove stones [3].
In the case of uric acid stones, alkali supplementation can increase the pH values of the urine to dissolve the stones [21].
Generally, the recovery after these procedures is brief and usually ends when the stone has successfully passed [19].