#HEALTH: Less water, more kidney stones
IN a warm climate, people constantly lose fluid through sweating and evaporation. If the lost fluid is not adequately replaced, urine becomes more concentrated, increasing the risk of kidney stones.
A warm climate increases the risk of kidney stones due to the body losing more fluid through sweating and evaporation. When fluid loss isn't replaced adequately, urine becomes more concentrated, leading to the formation of crystals that can stick together and form stones. Kidney stones usually start as tiny crystals that gradually combine to form a core, potentially growing several centimetres in size.
Common stone-forming substances include calcium, oxalate, phosphate, or uric acid, which can crystallise and clump together when urine becomes concentrated. This often occurs when people don't drink enough water, leading to high concentrations of these minerals in their urine. Other factors that contribute to kidney stones include certain dietary habits, excessive supplement use, and specific occupations that involve heavy sweating or limit water intake.
Early signs of kidney stones may not always include pain, as they can remain silent inside the kidney for months or years. Pain typically begins when the stone moves into the ureter and obstructs urine flow, causing severe spasmodic or colicky pain. Warning signs also include blood in the urine and recurrent urinary tract infections.
Kidney stones can cause permanent damage if they obstruct the flow of urine for a prolonged period, leading to kidney swelling and loss of function. The key to prevention is adequate hydration, a balanced diet, and only taking supplements when medically necessary.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
