The "Imported From Lancaster County!: Part 3" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Our daughter-in-law, Barb, just called to tell us that our son, Derek, was in terrible pain and in the emergency room at the hospital.  Needless to say we too were upset and asked what we could do.  She told us she would let us know when they examined him.  Half an hour later we heard he may have a kidney stone that was working its way from the kidney to the bladder.  

Seems that kidney stones, which are small crystals that form from minerals and salt, normally are found in the urine in the kidneys or ureters, the small tubes that drain urine from the kidney to the bladder.  The stones are usually so small they are harmlessly expelled from the body, but sometimes they grow larger and become lodged in the ureters.  Men are four times more likely to develop kidney stones than women and the risks increase considerably after age 40.  

Size of a kidney stone can be seen in the palm of a hand.

Derek, who is over 40, was told to go home, drink water and relax.  The stone would eventually pass through his system.  If not, or if the pain became too intense, they would have to operate and remove the stone.  An operation was considered the last choice, because of many complications that can occur.  His pain at home was intense.  Lasted for days before it eventually passed.  After his experience, he talked with his doctor about what could have caused it.  He was told that people that eat foods high in oxalates, such as spinach, chocolate, rhubarb and nuts are susceptible.  Also those who use too much salt, eat too much meat, drink very little water and have very little calcium intake are also at risk.  Derek confessed he used too much salt, but then the kicker came.  The doctor asked if he drank Turkey Hill ice tea.  Yep!  

Container of Turkey Hill Orange tea can be seen in my fridge.

Derek drank gallons of the stuff just like I do as well as many other people in Lancaster County where Turkey Hill ice teas are king.  Seems that Turkey Hill ice teas are not brewed like "real" ice teas and that is why they can be the cause of kidney stones.  Many people choose to drink ice tea rather than sodas because they feel it is healthier.  If you must drink a fluid other than water, real lemonade (not powdered) is the best bet since lemons are high in citrates which inhibit the growth of kidney stones.  The doctor told Derek to "brew" his own lemonade instead of store bought lemonade or ice tea.  He did this for some time, but still enjoys the ice tea.  He has cut down considerably on the tea, since he doesn't want the same thing to happen again.  As for me,  I too have cut back, but still drink the Turkey Hill Orange ice tea which is my favorite.  Try not to drink more than a quart every two weeks.  I certainly don't want to have to go through what my son did.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.