Diwali is a time for family, lights, sweets and long evenings with friends. It is also a time when many of us drink less water, eat more salt and sugar than usual, and put off any discomfort until the celebrations are over. For people prone to kidney stones, this combination can be enough to set off an attack of severe pain. Every year, urologists see a rise in visits for Diwali kidney stones pain around the festive season. Here is why it happens, and the simple habits that help you enjoy Diwali while protecting your kidneys.
Why Diwali habits can trigger kidney stones
Kidney stones form when minerals such as calcium, oxalate and uric acid become too concentrated in the urine and crystallise. Several common Diwali habits push the urine in that direction.
Not drinking enough water
Busy days of cleaning, shopping, cooking and visiting relatives, together with the cooler weather of November, mean many people simply forget to drink. Concentrated, dark-yellow urine is the single biggest risk factor for stone formation.
Salty snacks and namkeen
Chakli, mixture, sev, papad, pickles and packaged snacks are high in salt. Extra sodium makes the kidneys release more calcium into the urine, which encourages calcium stones.
Sweets and sugary drinks
Mithai, chocolates, soft drinks and packaged juices add a lot of sugar. High sugar and fructose intake is linked with more calcium and uric acid in the urine. Cola drinks also contain phosphoric acid, which is best limited if you have had stones.
Dry fruits, chocolate and oxalate
Dry fruit boxes are a Diwali tradition. Almonds, cashews and chocolate are rich in oxalate, a key component of the most common type of kidney stone. They do not need to be avoided completely, but large handfuls through the day can add up.
Rich meals and alcohol
Heavy, meat-rich meals and alcohol at parties raise uric acid levels, and alcohol also dehydrates the body. Both increase the risk of uric acid stones and can bring on pain from an existing stone.
Travel and holding urine
Long journeys home for the festival often mean drinking less to avoid stops, and sitting for hours. This is a common story among patients who develop stone pain during or just after travel.
How to prevent kidney stones this Diwali
- Drink steadily through the day. Most adults should aim for about 2.5 to 3 litres of fluid a day unless a doctor has advised otherwise. Your urine should look pale yellow.
- Add lemon. Unsweetened nimbu pani provides citrate, which helps prevent crystals from sticking together.
- Go easy on salt. Serve namkeen in small bowls rather than eating straight from the packet, and avoid adding extra salt at the table.
- Enjoy sweets in small portions. One or two pieces after a meal is better than snacking on mithai through the day.
- Do not cut out dairy. Normal amounts of milk, curd or paneer eaten with meals bind oxalate in the gut and can actually lower stone risk. Avoiding calcium is a common mistake.
- Limit cola and alcohol. Choose water, buttermilk or lemon water at gatherings.
- Keep a water bottle when travelling and do not hold urine for long periods.
For more detail on diet and stone prevention, see the NIDDK guide to eating, diet and nutrition for kidney stones.
If you have had kidney stones before
About half of people who have had one stone will develop another within several years. If you have a history of stones, the festive season is a good time to be extra careful with fluids and salt. If you have not had a follow-up scan or a metabolic evaluation (blood and urine tests that look for the cause of your stones), it is worth discussing with your urologist. Knowing your stone type allows diet advice to be tailored to you rather than following general rules.
Warning signs you should not ignore during the holidays
It is tempting to wait until the festival is over, but some symptoms need prompt medical attention:
- Severe pain in the side or back that comes in waves and may spread to the lower abdomen or groin
- Blood in the urine, or pink, red or brown urine
- Nausea or vomiting with pain
- Burning, frequent urination, or feeling unable to empty the bladder
- Fever or chills with stone pain. This can mean an infected, blocked kidney and needs same-day emergency care.
Repeatedly taking painkillers at home to get through the festivities can hide a stone that is blocking the kidney. If pain keeps returning, get it checked.
Frequently asked questions
Can I eat sweets during Diwali if I have kidney stones?
Yes, in moderation. One or two pieces after a meal is reasonable for most people. The bigger concern is grazing on sweets, salty snacks and sugary drinks all day while drinking too little water.
Are dry fruits bad for kidney stones?
Almonds and cashews are high in oxalate, so people with calcium oxalate stones should keep portions small and eat them alongside dairy. They do not need to be avoided entirely unless your doctor advises it.
Can Diwali kidney stones pain wait until after the festival?
Mild pain that settles may be reviewed after the holidays, but severe pain, vomiting, blood in the urine or any fever should be seen the same day.
How kidney stones are treated
Many small stones pass on their own with fluids and medicines. Larger stones, stones causing blockage or infection, and stones that do not move may need treatment such as RIRS or PCNL, which are minimally invasive procedures with short hospital stays. Read more about kidney stone treatment options in Koramangala.
Book a consultation
Dr Bivek Kumar, Consultant Urologist and Andrologist, treats kidney stones at Superhealth Hospital, Koramangala (Mon–Sat, 9 am–6 pm) and Nelivigi Multispeciality Hospital, Bellandur (Tue, Thu & Sat 7–8 pm; Sunday by appointment only). Consultations are available in English, Hindi, Kannada and Bengali. See all clinic locations, OPD timings and directions.
Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy and safe Diwali.
This article is for general information and does not replace a consultation with your doctor.