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Kidney stone beer is good
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Kidney & Urinary Health
Question #11897
45 days ago
69

Kidney stone beer is good - #11897

Meera

I am a bit confused and honestly kinda worried about this whole kidney stone beer is good thing. A few weeks ago, I started experiencing some serious pain in my side. Thought it was just gas at first, but after a visit to the ER and a CT scan, the doctors said I’ve got a few kidney stones. They gave me pain meds and told me to drink lots of water, but then I saw something online about how kidney stone beer is good for helping pass them? Like, is that real? I mean, I enjoy a brew now and then, but beer and kidney stones? My mom thinks that's crazy. I often hear people talk about how kidney stone beer is good, but are there actually any scientific backing to that? Someone in a forum mentioned it might help because of the dehydration risk, but then isn’t alcohol dehydrating? I really don’t wanna make things worse or cause more pain, but if kidney stone beer is good like some say, then maybe it could help? Having these stones feels like a nightmare, I really want to do anything to get rid of them, but I have no idea what’s smart or safe. Any thoughts on this?

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Doctors’ responses

The idea that beer could help in passing kidney stones is actually a misconception that’s often circulated online but lacks solid scientific backing. While it’s true that some people say consuming beer might make you urinate more, which theoretically could help in flushing out stones, there are several important considerations to keep in mind. Alcohol, including beer, can be dehydrating, which counteracts the idea of increased urination being beneficial. Dehydration is likely to make kidney stones worse, not better, because staying well-hydrated is crucial for the prevention and management of kidney stones. Drinking lots of water is indeed the best advice for helping to pass kidney stones, as it dilutes your urine and reduces the concentration of substances that form stones.

Furthermore, lifestyle factors and the composition of your kidney stones should guide your dietary choices. For instance, if your stones are calcium oxalate stones, it’s usually advised to limit oxalate-rich foods and maintain a balanced intake of calcium, because paradoxically, low-calcium diets can increase risk. Also, excessive beer consumption can lead to weight gain and even more complications if it’s not part of a broader health-conscious plan. It’s paramount to follow up with your healthcare provider to gain personalized advice based on the specific type of stones you have and any other medical conditions. If pain becomes severe or if you experience symptoms like fever, blood in urine, or nausea, seek immediate medical attention as these can be signs of an infection or obstruction requiring urgent treatment. In essence, while enjoying an occasional beer might not directly harm your situation, it’s not a therapeutic measure and should always be balanced with adequate water intake and proper medical guidance.

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