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New Delhi: Kidney stones were once considered a problem of middle age. Today, urology clinics are seeing a noticeable shift. Men in their 20s and early 30s—often physically active and otherwise healthy—are turning up with severe flank pain, nausea, and stones large enough to require intervention. This rise isn’t random. It reflects how modern habits are quietly reshaping urinary health.
Dr Naveen M N. Consultant - Urologist & Renal Transplant Surgeon, Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Kengeri, Bengaluru, explained how kidney stones are occurring in younger people.
Kidney stones form when minerals such as calcium, oxalate, or uric acid become concentrated in urine and crystallise. This usually happens when the body doesn’t have enough fluid to dilute them.
In young men, three factors are increasingly responsible:
Individually, these may seem harmless. Together, they create the perfect environment for stone formation.
Dehydration: the biggest driver
Many young men underestimate how dehydrated they are. Extended workdays, heavy training, missed water breaks and frequent reliance on caffeinated drinks all contribute to lower urine output. Ongoing back pain, blood in the urine or recurrent urinary discomfort should be evaluated. An ultrasound and urine test are often enough to detect stones at an early stage.
Salt-heavy diets and stone risk
Too much salt doesn’t just affect blood pressure. It also drives more calcium into the urine, quietly raising the risk of forming calcium stones—the type doctors see most often.
Common sources include:
Energy drinks are often mistaken for hydration. In reality, they can do the opposite.
These beverages:
Used frequently, especially during workouts or late nights, they can contribute to dehydration while masking thirst.
Why young men often miss early warning signs
Kidney stones don’t announce themselves early. Mild back discomfort, changes in urine colour, or occasional burning during urination are often ignored. Pain is typically sudden and severe only when the stone begins to move. At that point, medical attention becomes unavoidable.
What do young men need to do to reduce risk?
Stone prevention doesn’t require drastic changes. Small, consistent habits make a difference. Practical changes can significantly lower stone risk. Drinking water at regular intervals, watching for consistently pale urine, cutting back on salty packaged foods, and treating energy drinks as an occasional stimulant rather than a fluid replacement all help. Spacing protein intake throughout the day instead of loading it at once is also important. For those with a family history of stones, prevention deserves extra attention.
When to seek medical advice
Persistent back pain, blood-tinged urine, or frequent urinary irritation shouldn’t be brushed aside. Simple investigations can pick up stone formation well before it turns into an emergency. Early intervention often prevents surgery and long-term kidney damage.
The takeaway
Kidney stones in young men are no longer rare. They are a reflection of modern routines that prioritise stimulation over hydration and convenience over balance. The kidneys rely on steady fluid intake and sensible dietary choices to keep urine dilute and mineral levels stable. Protecting them doesn’t mean giving up fitness or energy—it means understanding what the body actually needs.
