Taiwanese doctors extract 300 kidney stones from woman who replaced water with bubble tea
PTC News Desk: A startling medical case emerged in Taiwan as doctors removed over 300 kidney stones from a 20-year-old woman, Xiao Yu, who solely hydrated herself with sweetened beverages instead of water. Admitted to Chi Mei Hospital in Tainan due to a fever and severe lower back pain, scans revealed her right kidney was swollen and filled with numerous stones, ranging from 5mm to 2cm in size, resembling "little steamed buns."
Yu's history revealed a long-standing aversion to water, substituting it with bubble tea, fruit juices, and alcoholic drinks for an extended period. This lifestyle led to chronic dehydration and the accumulation of minerals in her kidneys, triggering the formation of the stones.
Undergoing a two-hour percutaneous nephrolithotomy, surgeons successfully extracted approximately 300 stones from her kidney. Post-surgery, her condition stabilized, and she was discharged within days. Dr. Lim Chye-yang, the surgeon in charge, highlighted factors contributing to kidney stone formation, citing inadequate water intake and diets rich in calcium and protein. He emphasized the critical role of proper hydration in diluting urinary minerals, reducing the risk of stone development.
Statistics revealed men are significantly more prone to kidney stones than women, with Taiwanese men three times likelier to encounter such issues. About 9.6% of Taiwan's population is estimated to experience kidney stones in their lifetime, underscoring the importance of maintaining proper hydration and dietary balance to avert such medical complications.
- With inputs from agencies
