Many Americans suffer from kidney stones each year. It is estimated that 1-in-10 people will have a kidney stone at some time in their lives.
The prevalence of kidney stones in the United States increased from 3.8 percent in the late 1970s to 8.8 percent in the late 2000s. The risk of kidney stones is about 11 percent in men while nine percent in women, according to the National Kidney Foundation.
Nephrologist Jeanette Ybiernas said the urinary system is especially affected by soda and other sugary drinks like sweet tea.
One study found that participants who drank one soda everyday had a 23 percent higher chance of forming kidney stones, the medical specialist said.
The main purpose of the urological system is to flush out toxins from the body, a process that is heavily dependent on hydration from water.
“Unfortunately, soda drinkers generally do not drink enough water. As mentioned earlier, soda or sweet tea and other sugary drinks are never a viable alternative to water, and is not very effective in hydrating our bodies,” Ybiernas said.
Kidney stones are hardened deposits of salt and other minerals that do not properly filter through the kidneys. These deposits result in painful stones that need to be passed through the bladder.
The kidney doctor said there are four types of stones that can be passed, depending on the type of substance formed in the urinary tract: calcium stones, struvite stones, uric acid stones, and cystine stones.
“Patients can be prone to certain types depending on underlying factors and certain conditions,” Ybiernas noted.
Kidney stones have a wide range of symptoms that can be easily mistaken for another health conditions. The following clinical manifestations include severe pain in the side, back, or below the ribs that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity; pain that spreads to the lower abdomen and groin areas; sudden changes in urine, pink or red urine, or cloudy or foul-smelling urine; urinating more often than usual; pain during urination; urinating small amounts of urine; nausea and vomiting; fever and chills due to infection.
And because hydration is key for preventing kidney stones, the group of kidney specialists are encouraging everyone to drink lots of water (and/or low-sugar beverages) to help move them along since they need to be flushed out of the body. The health authorities recommend consuming any soda in moderation and if you must, stick to the light citrus types that have less sugar and chemicals. However, it is best to avoid soda altogether if kidney stones run in your family.
Alternatives to soda include fresh fruit juices. Orange juice has been studied and shown to decrease the risk of stone formation. Fresh-squeezed lemonade is also great for preventing the formation of kidney stones. These beverages are high in citrate which binds to calcium in the urinary tract, preventing stone formation.
Lastly, improve your diet for optimal urological health in general. Limit meat intake, look for low-sodium options when shopping for food, and make sure you get your daily recommended amount of calcium. This will keep oxalate levels in check.
Ana Williams is the health columnist for The Graham Star. She can be reached via email, anawilliams2019@gmail.com.