In a notable medical case, doctors in Taiwan successfully removed over 300 kidney stones from a 20-year-old woman named Xiao Yu, who had developed the stones due to chronic dehydration caused by her preference for sweetened drinks over water. Xiao Yu was admitted to Chi Mei Hospital in Tainan after experiencing a fever and severe lower back pain.
An ultrasound scan revealed hundreds of kidney stones in her right kidney, ranging in size from 5mm to 2cm. Described as resembling “little steamed buns,” the stones were causing significant health issues. A subsequent blood test indicated an elevated white blood cell count.
Xiao Yu confessed to doctors that she rarely drank water and instead relied on beverages such as bubble tea, fruit juice, and alcohol for hydration over the years. This lifestyle choice led to chronic dehydration and the accumulation of minerals in her kidneys.
To address the condition, doctors performed a two-hour-long surgery called percutaneous nephrolithotomy, during which approximately 300 stones were extracted from her kidney. Following the successful procedure, the woman’s condition stabilized, and she was discharged from the hospital after a few days.
Dr. Lim Chye-yang, the surgeon who conducted the surgery, explained that kidney stones can result from factors like inadequate water intake or diets high in calcium and protein. He emphasized the importance of proper water consumption for diluting minerals in urine, preventing the concentration of minerals that can lead to stone formation.
On average, men are three times more likely to develop kidney stones, and in Taiwan, men are three times as likely as women to experience kidney stones, with 9.6% of the population developing them in their lifetime. This case serves as a cautionary tale about the health risks associated with inadequate water intake and excessive consumption of sugary and alcoholic beverages.
