Awareness of Association between Fluid Intake and Renal Calculi among Medical Students.

Abstract

The aim of this survey is to look for the awareness of association between fluid intake and renal calculi among medical students.

Introduction:The  most common problems among various urological disorder is renal stone. Renal  calculi occurs in 1 in 20 people at sometimes in their lives proper functioning of every system in the body depends upon daily water intake. Water, the lifeline carries nutrients to the cells, removes toxins of vital organs and provides a moist environment for various organs such as ear, nose & throat. Due to reduced urine volume or increased excretion of stone forming components such as calcium, oxalate, urate, cysteine, xanthine and phosphate leading to development of renal stones.

Materials and methods: A study was carried out among 100 medical students who were randomly selected from students in different years of MBBS batches of SLIMS, Puducherry. Each students were given 15 questions. A self administrated questionnaire was used to gather the data from each of them and necessary measures were taken to avoid discussion among them in order to avoid biased results. The results were statistically analysed.

Results:

 This survey successfully highlighted that there is lack in awareness as far as adequate water consumption during the daytime is concerned. About 36% medical students drink as little as 500 ml water during their college hours. Hence, they remain dehydrated during most of their study hours and it does have significant adverse effects on their body. If this situation persists for longer period of time, it may definitely result in a number of health problems, including renal calculi. This survey also points out that nearly 50% of medical students feel less thirsty and therefore drink less water while they remain in an air-conditioned room during their lectures. There is continued insensible water loss going on while in air-conditioned room and lack of replacement of fluid results in a number of significant changes in the body metabolism.

Conclusion: It is very important to create awareness among medical students to drink ample of water, e.g. at least 1500ml water, to prevent conditions like renal calculi. Applying this to the general population, it is equally important to bring awareness among other working sections of the society to achieve the goal.