In a remarkable medical case, a 20-year-old woman in Taiwan underwent surgery to remove a staggering 300 kidney stones after opting for bubble teas over glasses of water.
Xiao Yu, the young patient, was admitted to the hospital after suffering from a fever and excruciating back pain, The Independent reports.
Doctors quickly discovered her swollen kidneys filled with numerous stones during an ultrasound examination. The medical team, astounded by the sheer number of stones, decided to proceed with surgery to address the issue.
The Chi Mei Medical Centre in Tainan, Taiwan - where the surgery occurred - described the stones as resembling "small steamed buns", with local outlet ETToday sharing images of the startling find.
Back pain can be a symptom of kidney stones. Credit: Peter Dazeley / Getty
The stones, revealed by a CT scan, measured between 5mm and 2cm. Additionally, a blood test showed an elevated white blood cell count, indicating other potential complications.
Medical experts have identified various factors that can contribute to the formation of kidney stones, including genetic predisposition, chronic illnesses, and diets high in calcium and protein. However, one significant factor highlighted by Dr. Lim Chye-yang, a urologist at the hospital who performed the surgery, is dehydration.
Dr. Lim explained that kidney stone cases tend to increase during the spring and summer months, primarily due to dehydration caused by hot weather. Reduced fluid intake during these seasons results in more concentrated urine, allowing minerals to combine and crystallize into stones.
The young woman reportedly preferred bubble tea over water. Credit: PonyWang / Getty
In Ms. Xiao's case, media reports suggest that her preference for bubble tea over water might have contributed to her condition, as she was not particularly fond of drinking water.
Notably, kidney stones are more frequently diagnosed in men, with statistics indicating that men are over three times as likely as women to develop these painful stones. Dr. Lim also pointed out that kidney stones are typically found in individuals between the ages of 50 and 60.
Per UCI Health, there are several things a person can do to prevent kidney stones.
These include reducing one's salt intake, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, eating less meat, and get the recommended amount of calcium. And, of course, drink plenty of water -- about ten 10-ounce glasses every day.
Following the successful surgery to remove the extensive collection of kidney stones, Ms. Xiao's condition has stabilized, and she has been discharged from the hospital.
Remember, kidney stones can be incredibly painful - so remember to opt for a glass of water instead of a fancy bubble tea.
