Avoid Kidney Stones – Stay Hydrated!
According to Mayoclinic, kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form in the kidneys, and sometimes in the tube connecting the kidneys to the bladder. The NHS reports that more than 1 in 10 people will experience these stones during their lifetime. They can be very painful and lead to serious complications if not treated.
A question that's often asked is, does hard water cause kidney stones? In this blog, we'll explore the potential link between hard water and kidney stones as well as other factors, such as symptoms and preventative advice.
Problems Caused by Kidney Stones
The most common symptom of kidney stones is severe pain in the side of the abdomen or groin. This pain is often described as one of the most intense types imaginable.
Other symptoms may include:
- High Temperature
- Blood in the Urine (Hematuria)
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Fever and Chills (If an Infection is Present)
Complications Associated with Kidney Stones
As the kidneys are responsible for filtering toxins and excess fluids from the blood and converting waste into urine, it is crucial to seek medical attention if you suspect the presence of kidney stones. Left untreated, kidney stones can lead to a variety of complications, including:
- Severe Pain: Intense discomfort often described as renal colic.
- Urinary Tract Infections: Stones can cause or worsen infections.
- Blockages: Stones may block the urinary tract, affecting kidney function.
- Kidney Damage: Prolonged blockage or infection can impair kidney health.
It is important to seek medical attention if you think you may have kidney stones. Early treatment can help prevent complications and reduce the risk of the stones recurring.
Preventing Kidney Stones
The NHS explains that the best way to prevent kidney stones is to avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water daily. Staying hydrated helps keep urine clear, preventing waste products from becoming overly concentrated and forming stones.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, kidney stone rates are rising in the UK. They recommend increasing water intake, particularly when engaging in activities like using saunas, practicing hot yoga, or undertaking strenuous exercise, as these can lead to significant fluid loss through sweating.
However, is your risk of developing kidneys increased by consuming hard water? Kidney stones might be more likely to occur if you live in a hard water area, but let’s dive into the subject a little further.
Hard Water Areas
Before we answer the question ‘Does hard water cause kidney stones’, let’s discuss what constitutes hard water. Water may look clear, but it contains Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), which is the overall amount of dissolved ions in the water.
Here's a breakdown:
- Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): Includes minerals, metals, and salts.
- Water Hardness: Determined by the concentration of specific minerals.
- Hard Water in the UK: Defined by Healthline as water with high levels of calcium and magnesium.
- Other Contributing Metals: Hardness can also come from aluminium, barium, strontium, iron, zinc, and manganese (Senguptu, 2013)
Does Hard Water Cause Kidney Stones?
There is an ongoing debate about whether the risk of developing kidney stones can be linked to drinking hard water. Kidney stones might be more likely to occur as hard water increases calcium levels in urine, according to Willis et al. (2019). They go on to say that “this may only be significant if an individual has already experienced kidney stones and is taking steps to prevent recurrence”.
Michael and Somani (2022) note, “the dissolved mineral content of drinking water can modify a number of excreted urinary parameters, with potential implications for kidney stone disease (KSD)… Tap water mineral content varies significantly across the United Kingdom. Depending on where one lives, drinking 2-3 L of tap water can contribute over one-third of recommended daily calcium and magnesium requirements, with possible implications for KSD incidence and recurrence.”
So, does hard water cause kidney stones? The answer is somewhat inconclusive. However, regardless of whether an area has hard or soft water, current health recommendations emphasise that drinking plenty of water and avoiding dehydration remain the primary measures for preventing kidney stones.
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