Kidney stones are among the most common kidney-related diseases, and their prevalence is increasing among women in Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital, said health experts.
Urology specialists in Kabul report that hormonal changes, poor diet, inadequate fluid intake, mental health issues, and limited access to healthcare, are contributing factors that lead to a higher incidence of this disease among women.
Hamidgul Attaie, an urologist, explains: “Kidney stones cause severe pain, often unbearable for patients. The majority of kidney problems and stones occur among women due to hormonal changes, anxiety, depression, all of which contribute to the development of kidney stones and the rising cases in women.”
Doctors further add that lack of access to healthcare and the use of low-quality medications are additional factors increasing the prevalence of kidney stones among women. Sayed Tawfiq Hashemi, another doctor based in Kabul, tells Salam Watandar that medications ineffective for treating infections and insufficient physical activity contribute to creating an environment in the body that facilitates the formation of kidney stones.
He adds, “Infections can lead to kidney stones. One type of stone, known as struvite, forms in environments where infections grow. This infection has the property of turning urea into ammonia; when it turns into ammonia, the environment shifts from acidic to alkaline, which leads to the formation of stones. Also, those who are treated with antibiotics may develop kidney stones.”
Abdul Reshad Ahmadzai, a doctor at Kabul’s Jamhuriat Hospital, confirms the rising number of women with kidney stones. He says: “We have a total of 28 beds, with 20 for men and 8 for women. A significant number of women come to us, and the beds available for them are very few. Over 100 women are waiting for a bed to become available, and we even have to keep emergency cases waiting until a bed opens up.”
Zainab, a 45-year-old resident of Ghazni, who came to Jamhuriat Hospital for treatment, shares that she has been suffering from kidney stones for the past five years. Doctors informed her that the use of low-quality medication has worsened her condition.
She says: “There is no proper doctor or medicine there. In the first, the medication eased my pain, but later it had no effect. The medication was of very poor quality, and my pain got worse. I had vomiting, a fever and severe pain. I came to Kabul for further tests, and the doctors said that my kidney stone had grown, and I would need surgery. I know it’s risky, but I have no other choice.”
Marjana, a 50-year-old woman from Paktia, says that limited access to healthcare has exacerbated her condition. “I had a fever and severe pain in my side. I visited a doctor several times in Gardez, and they said I had a large stone in my kidney, but they told me they couldn’t treat it there, and I needed to go to Kabul for surgery.”
Maruara, a 22-year-old from Nangarhar, says that due to financial constraints, her condition has worsened, and she now faces the necessity of surgery.
“I’ve had kidney stones for two years. Although I am young, my condition has caused high blood pressure. I think this disease is hereditary, passed from my mother. Our financial situation is poor, and I couldn’t afford to see a doctor because they charge a lot. This financial difficulty has worsened my illness, and now I am at a government hospital, where the doctors say I need surgery,” she added.
