Kidney stone pain is deadly; people who have experienced it or have seen any of their close family or loved ones in pain know how painful it is. The latest research in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings, “Lifestyle Factors in the Association of Shift Work With Kidney Stone Events,” has discussed an interesting fact about kidney stones.
Working nights might pay the bills, but it could also harm your health. A new study has found that people who work night shifts are 15% more likely to develop kidney stones than those who work regular daytime hours. The risk is even higher for younger workers and those with sedentary jobs, such as those in desk work.
Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys. They can be as small as grains of sand or as large as to block the urinary tract. Symptoms include intense back or side pain, painful urination, blood in the urine, nausea and vomiting. While kidney stones are treatable, they’re also known to return and can lead to serious problems such as chronic kidney disease or kidney failure.
Why Night Shifts Raise the Risk
The main culprit appears to be disruption of the circadian rhythm, the body’s natural 24-hour clock. This clock regulates everything from sleep to hormone release and metabolism. When people work overnight and sleep during the day, their internal systems get out of sync. Over time, this imbalance can affect kidney function and increase the chance of stone formation.
Lifestyle factors common among night workers also play a role. Many people who work overnight tend to drink less water, eat irregular meals, exercise less, and may have a higher body weight or smoke. These habits can all increase the risk of developing kidney stones.
What You Can Do to Protect Yourself
The good news is that kidney stones are often preventable. Even if your job requires working nights, you can take simple steps to lower your risk:
- Stay hydrated: Aim to drink 2–3 litres of water a day unless advised otherwise by your doctor.
- Eat a balanced diet: Limit salty foods, processed snacks, and too much animal protein, in fact, go vegetarian.
- Exercise regularly: If your job is sedentary, schedule a workout before or after your shift to stay active.
- Improve your sleep environment: Use blackout curtains and keep your room cool and quiet to get better daytime rest.
- Get regular check-ups: If you’ve had stones before or have a family history, discuss preventive care with your doctor.
Kidney stones may seem like a minor issue compared to other health risks, but they’re painful and can lead to long-term complications. This new research is a reminder that night shift workers, especially younger ones, should take proactive steps to protect their kidney health.
