Preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases during Tet (Lunar New Year)

Abusing alcohol and sugary drinks, eating too much protein, eating too much salt, and holding back urine are all things to limit to protect kidney and urinary health during Tet.

The Lunar New Year is a time for family gatherings, so eating and drinking, and daily routines, are often more relaxed than usual. To prevent urinary tract infections during Tet, Dr. Nguyen Truong Hoan, MD, MSc, Department of Urology, Center for Urology - Nephrology - Andrology, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, notes some things to avoid below.

Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks

Alcoholic beverages and carbonated soft drinks are among the top choices for many people during Tet (Lunar New Year). However, excessive consumption of alcohol and soft drinks leads to increased renal excretion, creating favorable conditions for pre-existing kidney stones to fall into the ureter, causing unilateral renal colic.

Additionally, alcoholic beverages can inhibit the function of the urethral sphincter (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside), leading to difficulty urinating, especially in people with pre-existing prostate problems.

Drinking a lot of beer, wine, and sugary drinks during Tet (Lunar New Year) can easily lead to the formation of urinary stones. (Image: Freepik)

Salty food

Traditional Tet dishes such as pickled vegetables, sausages, braised pork with eggs, etc., are often heavily seasoned with many spices, including salt and various types of fish sauce. Regularly consuming foods high in salt increases the amount of calcium lost in the urine. The higher the calcium concentration in the urine, the easier it is to form kidney stones.

Eat a lot of meat.

Almost every dish during Tet (Vietnamese New Year) includes meat. Eating a lot of animal meat increases the acidity of urine, creating conditions for the formation of uric acid and oxalate stones.

People with impaired kidney function need to limit protein and salt intake to avoid overloading their kidneys, which can easily worsen the condition.

Eating too much meat during Tet (Lunar New Year) increases the risk of urinary stones. (Image: Freepik)

Hold your urine

Urination is one of the ways the body excretes waste products and excess substances. The habit of holding back urine allows waste products to settle and accumulate, forming stones.

Furthermore, frequently holding back urine increases the risk of urinary tract infections and gradually weakens the bladder and urethral muscles, leading to urinary incontinence.

Drink too little water.

The Lunar New Year in Southern Vietnam usually falls during the hot season. People going out to participate in festivities and exchange New Year greetings easily sweat. Not drinking enough water increases the concentration of minerals in urine, making it more concentrated and easier for urinary stones to form.

To avoid the risk of urinary stones during Tet (Lunar New Year), it's necessary to drink 2-3 liters of water daily, including plain water and fruit juices. Limit consumption of sugary drinks, beer, alcohol, and avoid drinking tea or coffee instead of plain water.

Thang Vu

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