A Filipino seafarer, during a long voyage at sea, suddenly experienced severe abdominal pain and noticed signs of hematuria in his recent urine. Despite trying to endure it, the pain was too unbearable to ignore, so he decided to seek medical attention immediately upon the advice of the ship’s doctor, arranging to go to Tungs’ Hospital.

After examination, the doctor diagnosed the patient with kidney stones, leading to symptoms such as urinary obstruction and hematuria. Kidney stones are one of the common problems encountered in maritime work. Due to limited food supply and difficulty preserving vegetables onboard, seafarers consume foods high in calcium oxalate and phosphates, such as spinach and beans. Additionally, due to the dietary environment and work pressure onboard, indigestion is also common, leading to the deposition of crystalline substances in the kidneys, forming stones.

Through ultrasound examination, it was found that the size of the kidney stones in this patient was approximately 7 millimeters and presented in a round shape. Following the doctor’s recommendation, the seafarer underwent flexible ureteroscopy, successfully removing the stones with minimal harm to the body and restoring normal urine flow.

Small Facts about flexible ureteroscopy: Flexible ureteroscopy is one of the methods used to treat kidney stones. Compared to traditional rigid ureteroscopy, this type of ureteroscope is more flexible, making it easier to navigate through the bends of the urethra and reducing discomfort for the patient. It can be manually bent up to 270 degrees, allowing the ureteroscope to explore any abnormalities in the renal pelvis of the kidney for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. It can reach every corner of the kidney. It is commonly used to diagnose and treat kidney stones, renal pelvis, and renal pelvis tumors, as well as other conditions such as unexplained hematuria, ureteropelvic junction obstruction, and structural abnormalities of the kidney.

The doctor also reminded him that adopting good dietary habits is an important part of preventing kidney stones, advising him to increase his intake of fruits and vegetables onboard, avoid excessive consumption of foods high in calcium oxalate and phosphates, and pay attention to avoiding diets that are detrimental to kidney health, such as those high in oil and salt.
 
This story serves as a reminder to the public that whether it’s seafarers on long voyages or individuals who enjoy drinking beverages and eating meals with sauces, they are all at risk for kidney disease. Maintaining good dietary habits and seeking timely medical assistance can effectively prevent and treat such diseases.