The Effects of Beer: Debunking Myths and Exploring Treatments for Kidney Stones.

Summer brings high temperatures and humidity, accelerating dehydration and increasing the incidence of kidney stones. Kidney stones, which form in the urinary tract, cause severe pain. Various methods are suggested to alleviate this pain, with "drinking beer" often mentioned as one of them. In this post, we'll delve into the causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of kidney stones, and analyze whether beer truly provides any relief based on expert opinions.

 

Kidney stones cause severe pain and adequate fluid intake is crucial for prevention and management.

 

What are Kidney Stones?

Definition and Causes of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are formed in the urinary tract due to elevated concentrations of certain substances in urine that crystallize into stones. Components like calcium, oxalate, uric acid, and cystine play key roles in stone formation. When these substances become too concentrated, they crystallize and gradually enlarge into stones.

 

Insufficient fiber intake, excessive consumption of protein, sugar, and salt are major factors that increase the concentration of stone-forming substances. Genetic factors and structural issues in the kidneys or urinary tract also contribute to stone formation.

Symptoms of Kidney Stones

The primary symptoms of kidney stones include.

• Flank and abdominal pain: Intense pain likened to being stabbed with a knife or spear, lasting 20-30 minutes.
• Hematuria and cloudy urine: Urine may appear bloody or cloudy.
• Dysuria and urgency: Feeling the need to urinate frequently and difficulty holding urine.
• Nausea and vomiting: Pain from kidney stones can induce nausea or vomiting due to the connection between the abdomen and nerves.
• Fever and chills: Systemic symptoms may occur if infection accompanies the condition.

 

Can Beer Help with Kidney Stones?

Diuretic Effect of Beer

Beer can induce diuresis, causing the production of more urine than the amount of fluid consumed. When small stones (less than 5mm) become lodged in the ureter, causing severe pain, increasing urine output with any type of fluid intake may be helpful. In theory, beer's diuretic effect could assist in passing stones by increasing urine flow.

Limits and Risks of Beer

However, experts do not recommend drinking beer daily to prevent or treat kidney stones. Alcohol can induce dehydration, potentially promoting the long-term occurrence of kidney stones. Additionally, beer contains purines, which when broken down in the body produce uric acid. Accumulation of uric acid can contribute to the formation of kidney stones, particularly in patients with gout.

 

Therefore, consuming adequate water, rather than beer, is far more effective.

 

Prevention and Treatment of Kidney Stones

Adequate Fluid Intake

The most fundamental way to prevent kidney stones is adequate fluid intake. Particularly during summer, drinking 2-3 liters of water daily replenishes body fluids sufficiently. Increased fluid intake reduces the time stone-forming substances linger in the urinary tract.

Balanced Diet

• Limiting salt intake: Excessive salt consumption can promote stone formation, so reducing salt in the diet is advisable.
• Increasing citrate intake: Citrate can aid in preventing kidney stones. Citrate-rich foods include sour fruits like oranges, lemons, kiwis.

Natural Passage Induction

For stones smaller than 5mm, increasing fluid intake can naturally induce their passage. Natural passage involves increasing fluid intake for 1-2 weeks to allow stones to be expelled via urine. Approximately 60-70% of stones located below the ureter pass naturally.

Medical Interventions

If natural passage is difficult, consider the following medical interventions.

• Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL): High-energy shock waves are focused on the stone externally to break it into smaller pieces.
• Ureteroscopy: A scope is inserted into the ureter to directly fragment and remove the stone. This method has a high success rate of 90% and allows for quick recovery with minimal incisions.

 

Conclusion: Hydration is Key to Preventing and Managing Kidney Stones

Kidney stones cause severe pain and adequate fluid intake is crucial for prevention and management. While alcohol beverages like beer may provide temporary relief, they could potentially exacerbate kidney stone formation in the long run. Therefore, consuming healthy fluids like water is more effective for preventing kidney stones.

 

Additionally, maintaining a balanced diet and considering appropriate medical interventions can effectively prevent the occurrence of kidney stones and manage existing ones. During summer, pay special attention to fluid intake and maintain healthy lifestyle habits to reduce the risk of kidney stones.