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Medical Edge Newspaper Column from Mayo Clinic
CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTS UNRELATED TO KIDNEY CYSTS
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Can calcium supplements cause cysts to develop in the kidneys? — Centerport, N.Y.
ANSWER: Whether you have one or many cysts in your kidneys, there’s no known direct link to calcium supplements.
It’s not unusual for one or two cysts — round sacs containing waterlike fluid — to develop in the kidneys. Doctors don’t know what causes cysts to appear, but they are increasingly common in people age 50 and older. The cysts are usually benign and don’t require any treatment. Typically, the cysts are found when patients undergo tests or treatment for another condition.
Polycystic kidney disease is a rare disorder in which groups of cysts develop in the kidneys and other organs. It is most commonly inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion, in which about half of individuals in affected families have the disease. The condition can cause high blood pressure, abdominal pain and even kidney failure.
One symptom of polycystic kidney disease is kidney stones, which do have a calcium connection. About four out of five kidney stones are calcium stones. This is true whether or not a person has polycystic kidney disease. A number of health factors can cause high amounts of calcium in the urine, leading to kidney stones.
If you have a history of kidney stones, talk to your doctor about the advisability of calcium supplements. If you don’t have kidney stones and are taking calcium supplements for your bone health, it’s safe to continue doing so at recommended doses.
Calcium supplements are considered very safe. They may cause gas, bloating or constipation in some people. To minimize side effects, drink six to eight glasses of water daily, exercise and eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
—Bart Clarke, M.D., Endocrinology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
Additional Resources:
Urology
Appointment Information
More Information on Kidney Cysts
READERS: Twenty percent of all examined newspaper articles about common neurologic conditions had medical errors or exaggerations, according to a study partnering Mayo Clinic physicians and School of Journalism experts from Arizona State University.
Researchers say the findings could help improve communication between physicians and patients, patient attitudes toward various conditions, newspaper coverage of neurologic conditions, and general health care coverage.
The study involved a content analysis of 1,203 newspaper articles published during 2003, with researchers analyzing whether appropriate language was used in U.S. newspaper coverage of neurologic diseases. Also performed was fact checking of sources and stories for medical errors.
Newspaper stories were culled from one national newspaper as well as eight regional newspapers with circulation of more than 200,000. Eleven neurologic diseases were the focus.
Findings show that 20 percent of analyzed articles had medical errors or exaggerations. Overstating treatment effectiveness was the most common exaggeration.
Researchers also discovered that neurologic conditions with the highest prevalence were among the least covered topics, while less-common diseases such as Alzheimer’s were topics in 33 percent of the articles.
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Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic is an educational resource and doesn’t
replace regular medical care. To e-mail a question, go to www.mayoclinic.org,
or write: Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic, c/o TMS, 2225 Kenmore Ave.,
Suite 114, Buffalo, N.Y., 14207. For health information, visit www.mayoclinic.com.
© 2006 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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