All articles tagged with #kidney stones
Record heat in the eastern U.S. is linked to more kidney stone diagnoses because dehydration concentrates minerals in urine; the Southeast’s 'Stone Belt' has higher risk, and climate change could make stones more common overall, with projections that up to 56% of Americans may live in high-risk areas by 2050.
BBC health coverage shows that while supplements can help deficits, everyday overuse or mixing many products can trigger serious harm (liver injury, kidney stones). A Which? survey found 76% take at least one supplement and about 20% take four or more daily. Personal stories, like Ginger Smith’s kidney stone from high-dose vitamins and herbal supplements, illustrate real risks. Experts caution against “more is better,” warn about ingredient duplication and interactions, and advise prioritizing a balanced diet, using supplements only when needed, checking labels for overlaps, and consulting a doctor before stacking or starting new regimens.
An active health enthusiast learns his high daily protein intake (around 200g) raised uric acid and risked gout, illustrating how proteinmaxxing can lead to gout, kidney stones, and gut issues; experts advise moderating protein, staying hydrated, and balancing with calcium-rich foods and plant proteins to maintain nutrition.
Dolly Parton has canceled her upcoming Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace to undergo treatment for health issues, including kidney stones. She says she is responding well to meds and is on the road to recovery, but will need time before returning to the stage, while continuing other projects like music, Dollywood, and a Broadway musical.
A kidney-stone surge is hitting the U.S., with roughly 11% of men and 9% of women affected and more than 500,000 emergency visits annually; stones are rising fastest among those aged 12–30 due to high-salt, ultra-processed diets, dehydration, obesity and inactivity. Doctors say the fix is simple: drink more water to dilute urine, cut salt and sugary drinks, eat more potassium- and citrate-rich fruits/vegetables, and limit oxalate-rich foods if calcium oxalate stones are a risk, plus regular activity. The article cites a patient story of Bill who passed a stone after weeks and improved by increasing water intake and reducing tea, underscoring the prevention message.
A large Lancet-published trial found that a behavioral hydration program—using Bluetooth water bottles, personalized fluid goals, financial incentives, reminders, and health coaching—increased fluid intake and urine output but did not reduce symptomatic kidney stone recurrence over two years. Enrolling 1,658 participants across six U.S. centers, the study highlights the challenge of maintaining very high hydration and suggests that prevention will require more personalized hydration targets, strategies to overcome real‑world barriers, and possibly additional therapies to keep minerals dissolved in urine.
A UCLA-led study finds live bacteria and biofilms inside calcium oxalate kidney stones, the most common type, suggesting microbes may actively contribute to stone formation and offering new avenues for treatments that target the stones’ microbial component.
A UCLA-led study finds calcium oxalate kidney stones harbor bacteria and even internal biofilm, suggesting microbes may contribute to stone formation rather than stones forming purely by chemistry. This challenges the view that stones are noninfectious and implies infections in the kidney, ureter, or bladder could drive recurrence; targeting the microbial environment may reduce future stones. Findings come from electron and fluorescence microscopy of human stones and were published in PNAS (2026).
Stanford University developed a magnetic device compatible with ureteroscopy that effectively retrieves kidney stone fragments in pig models, outperforming traditional methods and showing promise for reducing residual fragments and associated complications in humans.
Researchers discovered that many reptiles excrete solid uric acid crystals as a water-saving adaptation, which could inspire new treatments for human conditions like gout and kidney stones caused by uric acid buildup.
Excessive intake of vitamin C supplements can increase the risk of kidney stones by raising urinary oxalate levels, especially in men and those with a history of kidney issues. Natural food sources of vitamin C are safer, and moderation is recommended, with a focus on dietary intake rather than megadoses.
Researchers studying reptile urine found that it contains tiny uric acid spheres, which may inspire new treatments for human conditions like gout and kidney stones caused by uric acid buildup.
Dolly Parton posted a reassuring video on Instagram addressing fans' concerns about her health, clarifying she is not seriously ill but dealing with kidney stones and other minor health issues, and emphasizing she is not ready to die.
Lemons are highly nutritious, offering benefits such as boosting heart health, protecting cells with antioxidants, preventing kidney stones, aiding iron absorption, and supporting the immune system, making them a valuable addition to a healthy diet.
Researchers at Stanford have genetically modified gut bacteria to break down oxalate, a substance linked to kidney stones, showing promising results in rats and early human trials, though challenges like bacterial mutation remain to be addressed.