Sarah Wolfensohn's kidney stones

71-year-old veterinary science academic has suffered 14 kidney stone attacks over 34 years.

“The pain is worse than childbirth, so every time I get a twinge in my side or my back, I fear the worst”

Kidney stone prevalence

1 in 11 people experience kidney stones at some point, with rising hospital admissions in England and Scotland.

Rising kidney stone trend

Researchers predict 33% more kidney stones by 2034-35, costing NHS £1.82 billion.

Gender differences

Men are twice as likely as women to develop kidney stones due to higher testosterone levels.

High-protein diet risks

High-protein diets increase urine acidity, raising uric acid and calcium levels while lowering stone inhibitors.

Research findings

Higher animal protein intake linked to 22% increased kidney stone risk, with 100g red meat daily raising risk by 39%.

Protein supplement effects

Whey protein supplements increase calcium levels and make urine more acidic.

Stone formation process

Kidney stones form when calcium oxalate crystals combine with urine, often due to dehydration.

Stone size and treatment

Stones smaller than 5mm pass naturally, but larger stones require surgery or shockwave treatment.

Severe complications

Kidney stones can cause sepsis, with 130 deaths annually in the UK due to complications.

Long-term effects

Repeated kidney stone attacks increase risk of chronic kidney disease.

Prevention advice

Limit salt to 6g daily, increase fiber intake, and drink plenty of fluids to prevent stones.

Bacterial involvement

Recent research shows kidney stones may be embedded with bacterial biofilms that protect bacteria.

Expert recommendations

Experts advise avoiding high-oxalate foods like spinach, nuts, and chocolate to reduce stone risk.

Treatment options

Lithotripsy uses shockwaves to break stones, while ureteroscopy removes stones via a small telescope.

What's next

Experts warn high-protein diets could be causing rising kidney stone cases in healthy individuals.