9-12-2023 (TAIPEI) A young woman from Taiwan learned the hard way that hydrating oneself with sweetened drinks instead of water can have serious consequences. After experiencing fever and waist pain, she visited the hospital, where doctors made a shocking discovery: her kidney contained approximately 300 stones.
According to Taiwanese news site ETtoday, the 20-year-old woman had a habit of consuming hand-shaken beverages, such as bubble tea, fruit juice, and alcoholic drinks, instead of plain water for hydration.
Upon seeking urgent medical attention, doctors found that her right kidney was severely swollen and filled with stones. The medical team performed surgery and successfully removed around 300 stones from her kidney, with sizes ranging from 0.5cm to 2cm.
Fortunately, the patient’s condition stabilized after the procedure, and she was discharged from the hospital a few days later.
The formation of kidney stones can be attributed to various factors, as explained by a urologist from Chi Mei Hospital who spoke to ETtoday. These factors include insufficient water intake, dietary choices, genetic factors, abnormal metabolism, chronic diseases, abnormal urine pH levels, and kidney anatomy. In this particular case, it appears that insufficient water intake and dietary factors played significant roles.
The urologist emphasized the importance of proper water intake for diluting minerals in urine. When a person is dehydrated, these minerals can become concentrated, increasing the likelihood of stone formation.
Regarding dietary factors, the doctor highlighted that a diet high in protein, oxalic acid, and particularly calcium can contribute to the development of kidney stones.
Additionally, the urologist noted that men are three times more likely to develop kidney stones compared to women. A study cited by the doctor revealed that 14.5% of men in Taiwan experienced kidney stones during their lifetime, compared to 4.3% of women.
