Kidney 'turned to stone' at age 18.

In the middle of the night, the 18-year-old girl had to be rushed to the emergency room at Hospital E with severe lower back pain, nausea, and painful urination. The results showed that the patient's kidneys were severely inflamed, almost "petrified" by numerous small stones obstructing the ureter.

According to Dr. Mai Van Luc, from the Department of Urology and Andrology, the cause stemmed from long-standing unhealthy eating and lifestyle habits. The girl had a history of good health, but frequently ate instant noodles instead of rice, was addicted to bubble tea, and drank little water.

"Instant noodles contain a lot of salt, preservatives, and additives, putting a heavy burden on the kidneys. Milk tea, on the other hand, is a combination of sugar, trans fats, and flavorings, causing the kidneys to work overtime to filter and excrete them." Dr. Luc explained: Drinking too little water further reduces the kidney's filtering capacity, causing mineral deposits to accumulate over time and form stones.

The patient is receiving intensive treatment involving surgery and medication, and is also being advised by doctors to change their lifestyle to avoid complications.

According to Dr. Luc, kidney stones are no longer just a problem for middle-aged people. More and more young people, even children, are developing urinary tract stones due to unhealthy eating habits and a lack of exercise. Without early intervention, complications such as kidney failure or kidney infections can occur, seriously threatening health and quality of life.

To prevent this, doctors advise people to:

• Drink at least 2 liters of water each day to support your kidneys in filtering waste.
• Limit your consumption of instant noodles, canned foods, and fast food – which are high in salt and additives.
• Avoid excessive consumption of bubble tea, sugary drinks, and coffee; replace them with plain water or unsweetened fruit juice.
• Maintain daily physical activity to improve circulation and kidney function.

"Kidney damage is usually painless, so many people only discover they have the disease when it becomes severe. Early lifestyle adjustments are the simplest yet most effective way to protect your kidneys." The doctor emphasized.