In a shocking medical case, doctors in Taiwan successfully removed more than 300 kidney stones from a 20-year-old woman who admitted to exclusively hydrating herself with sweetened beverages, such as bubble tea, fruit juice, and alcohol, instead of water. The incident highlights the dangers of chronic dehydration and the adverse effects it can have on kidney health.
Xiao Yu’s Emergency Admission and Discovery of Kidney Stones
The woman, identified as Xiao Yu, was admitted to Chi Mei Hospital in Tainan after experiencing a fever and severe lower back pain. An ultrasound scan revealed a swollen right kidney filled with hundreds of kidney stones ranging in size from 5mm to 2cm. Described as resembling “little steamed buns,” the stones had accumulated over the years due to her aversion to drinking water.
During the medical inquiry, Xiao Yu disclosed her unconventional hydration habits, admitting that she rarely drank water and relied on sugary and alcoholic beverages for her daily fluid intake. This lifestyle choice led to chronic dehydration, causing minerals to build up in her kidneys and eventually form numerous stones.
Surgical Intervention: The Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Procedure
To address the critical situation, doctors performed a two-hour-long surgical procedure known as “percutaneous nephrolithotomy.” During the surgery, they successfully removed around 300 kidney stones, providing relief to the patient. Xiao Yu’s condition was stable after the procedure, and she was discharged from the hospital a few days later.
Dr. Lim Chye-yang, the surgeon who led the operation, emphasized the various factors that can contribute to the formation of kidney stones, including insufficient water intake and diets high in calcium and protein. He explained the crucial role of proper water intake in diluting minerals in urine, preventing their concentration and subsequent stone formation.
“Proper water intake is crucial for diluting minerals in urine. If the body lacks enough water, the minerals in the urine can easily become concentrated, increasing the risk of stone formation,” Dr. Lim stated.
The Prevalence of Kidney Stones in Taiwan and Gender Disparity
The incident also shed light on the prevalence of kidney stones in Taiwan, with men being three times more likely to develop them than women on average. Dr. Lim revealed that in Taiwan, men are thrice as likely to develop kidney stones than women, and approximately 9.6% of the Taiwanese population is expected to develop kidney stones at some point in their lives.
This case is a cautionary tale about maintaining a well-balanced and hydrated lifestyle, underscoring the potential health risks of substituting water with sugary or alcoholic beverages. It also emphasizes the need for increased awareness regarding kidney health and the adoption of healthy hydration practices to prevent the formation of kidney stones and other related conditions.
Reference
Taiwan Doctors Remove 300 Kidney Stones from Woman Who Drank Bubble Tea Instead of Water [Internet]. Accessed on January 17, 2024. Available from: https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/taiwan-doctors-remove-300-kidney-stones-from-woman-who-drank-bubble-tea-instead-of-water-4691717
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