'Top 'Rock' doc says 'stones' will drop you like a rock, but are avoidable Published March 10, 2010 By Capt. Joe Campbell 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs SOUTHWEST ASIA -- There are enough hazards in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to be concerned about without bringing preventable ailments on oneself. Health issues such as kidney stones can be mitigated through a few precautions. The commander of the 386th Expeditionary Medical Group here at "The Rock" equated the intense pain associated with a case of kidney stones to the pain of child birth. "Imagine if you will, you are minding your own business when all of a sudden you experience intense pain on your side. It drops you to the floor and you begin breathing like women on TV [do] who are going through child birth; then after what seems an eternity, the pain suddenly leaves as if someone hit the off switch," said Col. (Dr.) Michael Schaffrinna. "Only it returns again after a short time. You are rushed to the ER where IV's are placed and drugs administered to relieve the pain. They check your urine and there is blood in it. The doc talks about how the pain will continue over the next few days as the stone moves through multiple turns in the ureter -- the long and narrow tube between the kidney and bladder." Colonel Schaffrinna speaks from personal experience. He said he once had a kidney stone; received from consuming too much tea, which contains oxalate, over a 6-day period. "The pain literally drops you to your knees and Lamaze classes may not be needed to learn how to breathe properly ... it occurs naturally." He said 80 percent of kidney stones are calcium stones. "The most common theory is that supersaturated urine begins the crystal formation; for example, calcium oxalate stones would be a result of too much calcium and/or oxalate in the blood or too little fluid intake," said Col. Schaffrinna. This is why those in the medical community constantly remind Airmen to drink lots of water ... especially here in the deployed location. Traditionally, males were more likely to experience a case of kidney stones, but recent changes in lifestyle have resulted in near parity between men and women. "A family history of kidney stones may predispose an individual to having them," said Colonel Schaffrinna. "While some sources indicate individuals over 40 years of age have an increased risk, those who are overweight, are diabetic, have gout or other disorders are predisposed to having kidney stones." About half of the people who have had kidney stones may get them again within ten years, he said. "Perhaps because memories fade and your attention to what you eat and drink revert to old habits." As temperatures rise the risk of dehydration and stone formation increases, he said. But, there are some precautions Airmen can take to minimize the risk of getting kidney stones. "Moderate your intake of protein, caffeine, grapefruit, vitamin C, and citrus," said the doctor. According to the USDA Web site, some common foods with a high content of oxalate include beets, turnip and collard greens, chives, parsley, spinach and watercress. Avoiding excessive intake of these foods, as well as chocolate, strawberries, tea, soda and energy drinks should also help prevent kidney stones from forming. Stay well-hydrated, said Colonel Schaffrinna. "Unless you are known to have a particular kind of kidney stone, the best prevention is good hydration."