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"I really just want to drink some water to quench my thirst, why am I so unlucky?" lamented Li Lei, a 22-year-old college student, in a hospital bed.
He is a computer science student, and his life is monotonous and regular except for programming and playing games. Li Lei's life was rushed to the hospital a few months ago due to sudden kidney failure, and his condition is critical. Li Lei's eating habits have always been plain, he never smokes or drinks, and his physical fitness has always been good, but this sudden illness has confused and shocked everyone.
The person in charge of treating Li Lei was Dr. Zhang, an experienced nephrologist. After a series of examinations and inquiries, Dr. Zhang found that the root cause of the problem may be related to Li Lei's changed drinking habits.
It turned out that in order to refresh his mind, Li Lei began to drink a large amount of so-called "energy water" on the market, which added a lot of electrolytes and irritating ingredients to help consumers improve their concentration and physical strength.
Dr Zhang explains, "Although these so-called 'energy waters' may sound refreshing, they are very taxing on the kidneys. Some of their components, such as high concentrations of sodium and caffeine, can severely impair kidney function when ingested in large amounts over a long period of time. ”
He further pointed out that although this product is extremely popular in the market, for young people, especially students, the side effects of excessive intake of such products cannot be ignored. In fact, people who consume high amounts of high-sodium beverages and caffeinated beverages for a long time have a significantly faster rate of deterioration of kidney function.
Dr. Zhang advised Li Lei to completely change his diet and lifestyle habits during the recovery period, especially to strictly control the intake of caffeine and high-sodium foods. At the same time, he also advised Li Lei to drink more water and eat more fresh fruits and vegetables to help the kidneys detoxify and restore function.
During a follow-up visit after recovery, he asked Dr. Zhang, "Dr. Zhang, are there any other common beverage ingredients that we should avoid besides caffeine and high sodium?"
Dr. Zhang replied, "Care should also be taken to avoid excessive intake of sugar and artificial sweeteners. Too much sugar increases the burden on the kidneys and the whole body. Although artificial sweeteners reduce sugar intake, some types of sweeteners have been shown in animal experiments to affect gut health and indirectly affect kidney function. The safest beverage option is plain water, or low-sodium, sugar-free natural drinks. ”
Under Dr. Zhang's guidance, Li Lei not only adjusted his eating habits, but also began to pay attention to other health factors in his life, such as the quality of water. He began to study the effects of different water sources and found that even water was not "a boat on the same water".
"There are many different types of water on the market, including mineral water, purified water, well water and even direct drinking water, which vary greatly in composition and treatment. Dr. Zhang explained at a symposium. He stressed that while most bottled water is safe, some can affect water quality due to poor packaging or storage conditions.
Li Lei learned that some bottled water may contain trace amounts of plasticizers, because of the chemicals that plastic bottles may release after high temperatures or prolonged storage.
"What's more, some household water purifiers can also become a breeding ground for bacteria if they are not properly maintained. Dr. Zhang said. He suggested that Li Lei use water purification equipment with more advanced filtration technology and regularly replace the filter element to ensure the purity and safety of drinking water.
In a subsequent doctor's meeting, Li Lei raised a question he had in his research: "Dr. Zhang, I read some reports about the possibility of potassium permanganate in water. Does this chemical have any effect on the kidneys? How can we avoid it?"
Dr. Zhang listened carefully and replied: "Potassium permanganate is a strong oxidant that is often used in water treatment for disinfection, but it is true that if there is too much residue in drinking water, it may cause adverse health effects. ”
"Its effect on the kidneys is mainly that it can lead to an increased burden on the kidneys, especially in inadequately treated water. To avoid this risk, I recommend using a guaranteed water source and ensuring that household water treatment equipment meets national safety standards, regularly inspecting and maintaining these devices to ensure that they are effective in removing harmful chemicals from the water. ”
Through this conversation, Li Lei not only solved his own doubts, but also further deepened his understanding of the potential health risks in his daily life. He understands better that a healthy lifestyle needs to be based on adequate knowledge and careful choices. This new attitude to life not only allowed him to recover physically, but also allowed him to grow spiritually.
What do you think about drinking water?