The Silent Kidney Killers Affecting 2.5 Million Filipinos Every Year
Kidney stones (locally known as "bato sa kidney") are becoming a serious health crisis in the Philippines. Affecting about 10% of the adult population, kidney stones are increasingly common due to changing dietary habits and lifestyle factors.
At 800ZED Healthcare, we've seen a rise in Filipino patients with kidney stones, many unaware that their "healthy" traditional foods were contributing to the issue.
What Are Kidney Stones? Understanding Bato sa Kidney
Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. These stones develop when substances like calcium, oxalate, and uric acid become too concentrated in your urine.
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Types of Kidney Stones Common in the Philippines:
Calcium Stones (80%): Most common, linked to high-oxalate Filipino foods.
Uric Acid Stones (15%): Higher prevalence due to seafood-rich Filipino diet.
Struvite Stones (4%): More common in Filipino women, caused by UTIs.
Cystine Stones (1%): Rare, hereditary condition.
Kidney Stones Symptoms: Warning Signs You Shouldn't Ignore
Early Symptoms (Often Dismissed):
Frequent urination, especially at night
Burning sensation while urinating
Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
Mild back pain (mistaken for muscle strain)
Unexplained fatigue
Severe Symptoms (Seek Immediate Help):
Intense Pain: Sharp, stabbing pain in the back, abdomen, or side
Blood in urine: Pink, red, or brown color
Nausea and vomiting
Fever and chills: Indicating possible infection
Complete inability to urinate
Emergency Room Alert: Visit immediately if you have severe pain preventing normal activities, blood in urine with fever, or inability to urinate for 12+ hours.
How Filipino Food and Lifestyle Cause Kidney Stones
High-Risk Filipino Foods:
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High-Oxalate Foods: Malunggay, kangkong, spinach, kamote, nuts, and seeds.
High-Sodium Foods: Dried fish (tuyo, danggit), processed meats (longganisa, tocino), instant noodles, soy sauce, patis, and bagoong.
High-Purine Foods: Seafood (bangus, tilapia, shrimp, crab), organ meats (liver, kidney), red meat, and alcoholic beverages.
Filipino Lifestyle Risk Factors:
Dehydration: Hot climate + inadequate water intake
Wrong Beverages: Too much soda, coffee, and alcohol
Sedentary Lifestyle: Office work, lack of exercise
Kidney Stones Prevention: The Filipino Action Plan
The Hydration Protocol:
Daily intake: 3-4 liters (12-16 glasses) of water
Quality: Filtered or mineral water preferred
Monitor: Urine should be pale yellow
food good for kidney stone prevention.jpeg1.24 MB Safe Filipino Food Alternatives:
Instead of Malunggay → Try Sayote leaves, cabbage, or lettuce varieties.
Instead of High-Sodium Foods → Choose fresh fish, homemade seasonings, and herbs/spices for flavor.
Days 1-2: Hydration Reset – Drink 12-16 glasses of water, replace sugary drinks with coconut water.
Days 3-4: Dietary Modifications – Switch dried fish for fresh fish, add calamansi to water, reduce high-oxalate foods.
Days 5-7: Lifestyle Changes – Take 30-minute daily walks, book an online consultation, share prevention tips with family.
Expert Tips from Filipino Urologists
Climate-Specific Advice:
Increase water intake during summer months (April-May)
Monitor hydration during outdoor activities
Use calamansi instead of salt for flavor
Warning Signs to Never Ignore:
Blood in urine with fever
Severe pain is preventing normal activities
Persistent vomiting is preventing fluid intake
The Bottom Line: Prevention Is Your Best Defense
Kidney stones are increasingly common among Filipinos, but they're largely preventable. At 800ZED Healthcare, we believe that education and early intervention are key to maintaining kidney health.
