A new study published in the journal Urological Research, has found an association between high levels of fluoride in the water and painful kidney stones. According to the study, urolithiasis (kidney stones) was 4.6 times more common in an area with high fluoride (3.5 to 4.9 ppm) than in a similar area without high fluoride. Moreover, in the high fluoride area, the prevalence of kidney stones “was almost double in subjects with fluorosis than without fluorosis.”

A kidney stone, according to Yahoo Health:

“results when the urine becomes too concentrated and substances in the urine crystallize to form stones. Stones may not produce symptoms until they begin to move down the ureter, causing pain. The pain is severe, located in the flank, and often described as ‘the worst pain ever experienced.’

Kidney stones are common. About 5% of women and 10% of men will have at least one episode by age 70. Kidney stones affect about 2 out of every 1,000 people. Recurrence is common, and the risk of recurrence is greater if two or more episodes of kidney stones occur. Kidney stones are common in premature infants.”

According to Focus On Womens’ Health:

“The pain with kidney stones is usually of sudden onset, very severe and colicky (intermittent), not improved by changes in position, radiating from the back, down the flank, and into the groin. Nausea and vomiting are common…

The process of stone formation, urolithiasis, is also called nephrolithiasis. “Nephrolithiasis” is derived from the Greek nephros- (kidney) lithos (stone) = kidney stone “Urolithiasis” is from the French word “urine” which, in turn, stems from the Latin “urina” and the Greek “ouron” meaning urine = urine stone. The stones themselves are also called renal caluli. The word “calculus” (plural: calculi) is the Latin word for pebble.”

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