TAIPEI, Dec 20: In Taiwan, medical professionals successfully extracted over 300 stones from the kidney of a young woman who, instead of consuming water, exclusively relied on sweetened drinks for hydration. According to the Independent, the 20-year-old patient, identified as Xiao Yu, sought treatment at Chi Mei Hospital in Tainan due to fever and severe lower back pain.

An ultrasound revealed significant swelling and numerous stones in her right kidney, ranging from 5mm to 2cm, resembling "little steamed buns" on a CT scan. A subsequent blood test indicated an elevated white blood cell count, highlighting the severity of the condition.

Upon inquiry, Xiao Yu confessed to avoiding water and, instead, opted for beverages like bubble tea, fruit juice, and alcohol over an extended period. This lifestyle choice led to chronic dehydration and mineral accumulation in her kidneys.

To address the issue, doctors conducted a two-hour percutaneous nephrolithotomy, removing around 300 stones from her kidney. Post-surgery, the patient's condition stabilized, and she was discharged after a few days.

Surgeon Dr. Lim Chye-yang, who performed the procedure, explained that kidney stones can result from factors like inadequate water intake or diets rich in calcium and protein. Proper hydration is crucial for diluting minerals in urine, and insufficient water can concentrate these minerals, elevating the risk of stone formation.

Highlighting a statistical trend, Dr. Lim noted that, on average, men are three times more prone to developing kidney stones. In Taiwan, men are thrice as likely as women to experience kidney stones, with 9.6% of the population developing them in their lifetime, as reported by Metro.