is beer good for stone removal - #17865
I am really confused about something and hope someone can help. Last week I went to the ER with sever pain in my lower back and after some tests, they told me I have kidney stones. Ouch, right? Anyway, they prescribed some pain meds and told me to keep drinking lots of water. But I've always heard that drinking beer could be good for stone removal??? Like, is beer good for stone removal or is that just an old wives' tale? I kinda wish I could just sip a cold one instead of drowning myself in plain water! I mean, someone I know mentioned that the hops and other ingredients in beer might help flush stuff out, but I can't help but feel skeptical. What do doctors really think? Is beer good for stone removal like some say? I did efind some weird articles that say beer could help dissolve stones, but they seemed sketchy. It's not like I'm trying to down pints while I'm dealing with these painful stones, I just wanna know if there's any truth to this? Would it be safe to mix some beer in while trying to get rid of these stones? Thanks in advance for any insight!
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Doctors' responses
Beer isn’t really a reliable treatment for kidney stone removal, unfortunately. The primary method advocated by the medical community to help pass kidney stones is to increase fluid intake, especially water, to help stones move through your urinary tract. While it’s true that alcohol like beer might make you urinate more frequently due to its diuretic effects, there’s no solid evidence that it actually helps dissolve or remove kidney stones. Drinking one or two beers occasionally might not pose a specific harm while you’re dealing with kidney stones, but you definitely don’t want to rely on it for stone removal. Moreover, alcohol can dehydrate you, which is counterproductive because staying well-hydrated is important for preventing kidney stones. Water should really be your go-to drink since it’s most effective in keeping you hydrated and helping pass the stones. Some other strategies involve dietary modifications, like reducing salt intake and avoiding high-oxalate foods if you’re prone to calcium oxalate stones. In any case, the nature and treatment of kidney stones usually depend on their type and size, so follow your doctor’s advice closely. Medications can help manage pain efficiently, and if your stones are too large to pass naturally, your physician might suggest other medical interventions. If you experience intense pain, fever, or find yourself unable to pass urine, it’s important to seek immediate medical assistance — these could be signs of complications requiring prompt treatment.
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