A urologist who experienced the excruciating pain of kidney stones first-hand has shared the surprising health food he now completely avoids to prevent future agony.
Dr. Cho Jung-hyun, director of Promise Urology Clinic, was enjoying a peaceful weekend outing with his family when a sudden, dull throbbing pain struck his left lower back in the spring of 2025. The discomfort quickly escalated into a sharp, agonizing sensation, comparing it to being stabbed with a knife and hammered in the side simultaneously.
Realizing his symptoms, Dr. Cho recognized that a 5mm stone was blocking his ureter. Despite treating countless patients with urolithiasis, even a medical specialist was humbled by the intense pain. After passing the first fragment following shock wave lithotripsy, he later discovered an 8mm stone remaining in his kidney, which eventually passed naturally months later.
Drawing from his personal ordeal as both a doctor and a patient, Dr. Cho emphasizes the importance of understanding the early warning signs and proper prevention methods for kidney stones. While staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water is essential, he stresses that managing specific dietary triggers is critical to stopping stone formation.
