Fact Check: All kidney stones cannot be dissolved by just drinking water

NewsMeter found that the claim is false. Though consuming normal water can help in dissolving kidney stones, it is not possible to dissolve all types and sizes of stones.

Dr A Santosh Kumar, senior consultant nephrologist and transplant physician at Kamineni Hospitals Hyderabad, said, “Kidney stones can be dissolved by just drinking water. There is no need to add fennel or any other seeds. But this is not applicable to all people and all types of stones. The claim is absolutely false.”

Stones are formed in the kidney for various reasons and are different in shape and size. The video claims that stones of any size and any number can be dissolved by drinking the drink on an empty stomach.

“Drinking water to dissolve kidney stones is applicable only to people without any medical conditions. Those with kidney ailments or any other issues have to take the advice of the doctor and regulate their water intake,” Dr Santhosh Kumar added.

Reasons for stone formation

In tropical countries, 70 per cent of the stone formation is due to reduced water intake. Smaller crystals get formed and other smaller crystals get organised around it to gradually become a larger stone.

Dr Santosh Kumar explained the other reasons for the formation of kidney stones. “Calcium stones in the form of oxalates, struvite stones due to infections and uric acid stones due to high protein intake can also occur.”

“Though an ultrasound scan is the best possible diagnosis available, the sizes of the stone cannot be exactly predicted. Besides, all stones are not circular,” he added.

Treatment for kidney stones includes medications, extracorporeal shock wave therapy and surgery.