PAKISTAN ranks ninth among 180 countries as far as obesity is concerned, according to a study published in Lancet, an international medical journal.

Another study mentions that if the waist crosses 34 inches, the chance of suffering from diabetes doubles.

Diabetes and obesity are both predisposing factors for having kidney stones.

World Kidney Day is celebrated on March 12 to make people aware regarding the importance of kidneys and the drinking of water to make these vital organs work properly.

Having kidney stones is common in Pakistan, especially in Sindh and the Seraiki belt. Many ecological factors are mentioned for the disease.

Some of these factors include warm weather, less intake of water, family history of having kidney stones, genetic abnormalities, gastro-intestinal diseases, and gout.

Nowadays many researchers closely link diabetes to the increased risk of stone formation, especially uric acid stones.

Some of the ways recommended to address the health issue include changing your diet, exercising daily, losing weight, having more dietary calcium (no calcium supplements), having less salt and drinking more fluids, especially water.

Murli Dhar

Karachi

Published in Dawn, November 21th, 2014