A Mother’s Wake-Up Call: The Link Between Energy Drinks and Kidney Stones
A 25-year-old mother of two, Alison Dunn, found herself in a life-threatening situation after experiencing severe pain that led to emergency surgery. Her condition was traced back to her regular habit of consuming energy drinks, which she claims contributed to a dangerous kidney infection.
Dunn had been drinking one 12oz can of an energy drink four times a week for seven months. She started this routine after taking a new job in a warehouse, where she often worked early shifts. As a busy mom-of-two, she also felt the need to combat exhaustion with these drinks.
In March 2025, she experienced a dull ache in her lower right side during a typical workday. The pain quickly escalated, becoming so intense that she described it as “worse than childbirth.” She also began vomiting, prompting her to seek immediate medical attention.
At the hospital, tests revealed a 6.5mm kidney stone – a size considered large – blocking her ureter. This caused her kidney to become enlarged and infected, posing serious risks if left untreated. Complications could include kidney disease, irreversible damage, kidney failure, or even sepsis.
Doctors suggested that her kidney issues might be linked to her regular consumption of energy drinks. They advised her to stop drinking them immediately.
Dunn explained that her energy drink habit started out of necessity. She would wake up at 5am for work and pick up a drink on the way. This became a routine for four days a week, even though she wasn’t addicted. She admitted to relying on the drinks when facing long days.
On the day she went to the hospital, she said it was a normal day. She had her usual drink in the morning, got to work, and started feeling a dull ache in her lower right side. The pain worsened, leading to nausea and vomiting.
Her partner drove her to the hospital, where a CT scan confirmed the presence of a kidney stone, an enlarged kidney, and an infection.
Kidney stones are a common issue, affecting approximately 600,000 Americans each year. These are small, hard deposits made of minerals that form in the urinary system. When certain minerals like calcium and oxalate become too concentrated in urine, they can crystallize and form stones.
Normally, these crystals pass through the body without notice. However, when urine is concentrated – often due to dehydration – they can stick together and grow into larger, jagged stones. Once a stone moves into the ureter, it can cause intense, wave-like pain radiating from the lower back to the groin. Sufferers may experience nausea, vomiting, or blood in their urine.
Dr. Veeraish Chauhan, a kidney specialist, has written about the possible connection between energy drinks and kidney stones. He noted that these drinks can be high in sugar, with a 12-ounce serving containing around 39 grams of sugar. The daily recommended intake is about 30 grams.
He also pointed out that caffeine and sodium in energy drinks can contribute to kidney stones. Additionally, people who consume energy drinks may be less likely to drink water, increasing the risk of dehydration and, consequently, kidney stones.
Dunn underwent surgery where a laser broke down her kidney stone into smaller pieces. This allowed her body to naturally pass the fragments through urine. She was discharged from the hospital four days later.
Now, she is urging others to be mindful of their energy drink consumption. She has vowed never to touch them again.
Dunn expressed her shock at the situation, noting that she regularly drank water and had no prior kidney issues. Her urologist immediately suspected the energy drinks as the cause and advised her to stop.
“I’m very lucky the infection didn’t spread to my blood,” she said. “Once you get kidney stones, it’s easy to get them again. If I were to start drinking energy drinks again, I’d face the same problems.”
She added, “I’ll never drink energy drinks again. It was the worst pain of my life; it was worse than childbirth. I don’t think a few hours of energy is worth the toll it takes on your body.”
