A 13-year-old girl in China developed severe kidney failure linked to an unhealthy lifestyle and the frequent consumption of a sugary beverage.
The kidneys play an especially vital role in the human body, functioning to filter blood and remove toxins and waste. When the kidneys weaken, it has a significant impact on a person’s overall health.
Recently, according to Aboluowang, a 13-year-old patient was diagnosed with kidney failure. She was admitted to the hospital with uremia and severe kidney dysfunction requiring regular dialysis.
After investigating the cause, doctors concluded that the condition stemmed from her unhealthy living and eating habits—she disliked drinking plain water and instead frequently consumed sugar-filled carbonated beverages.
Health Risks of Sugary Soft Drinks
According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), the consumption of carbonated drinks is associated with diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney stones—all of which are risk factors for chronic kidney disease.
In particular, carbonated beverages contain phosphoric acid, which is linked to changes in urine composition that increase the risk of kidney stone formation.
Studies have also shown that carbonated drinks have very high acid content, which can negatively affect bone health if consumed regularly.
The additives and certain chemicals in soft drinks increase the amount of waste that the kidneys must filter, leading to varying degrees of kidney damage depending on consumption habits.
Furthermore, carbonated drinks contain inorganic phosphorus. If consumed frequently, large amounts of phosphorus may accumulate in the kidneys, raising the risk of kidney disease.
This habit can also lead to hyperphosphatemia (excess phosphorus in the blood) due to reduced kidney excretion. In advanced cases, patients with hyperphosphatemia may experience symptoms such as a crawling sensation on the skin, itching, rashes, or joint and bone pain. Some may also develop headaches, dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath.
Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Failure
According to Kidney, kidney failure results from the gradual decline of kidney function. Some people may not even realize they have kidney disease until it reaches the stage of failure.
This is because early-stage kidney disease often shows no obvious symptoms. Signs typically appear later as the disease progresses and may include:
Reduced or absent urination
Dry and/or itchy skin
Fatigue
Difficulty concentrating
Numbness or swelling in the arms, legs, ankles, or feet
Muscle pain or stiffness
Shortness of breath
Loss of appetite, trouble sleeping
