NCERx recently surveyed 1,100 people regarding their kidney health, including kidney pain history and prevention practices. While 71 percent of respondents reported that they have experienced some form of kidney pain, 78 percent don't suffer from any of the listed chronic conditions that would trigger this pain. Most cases of kidney problems occur occasionally and tend to be less severe.
The more water people drank, the less likely they were to suffer from a urinary tract infection (UTI). In the graph below, the y-axis reflects the number of UTIs reported, while the individual bars indicate the amount of water consumed daily. As the graph indicates, the incidence of UTIs is proportional to the amount of water consumed.
Researchers found that 66 percent of respondents drank less than the recommended six glasses per day, and 69 percent have had a UTI. Unfortunately, 40 percent only drank two to four glasses of water per day, putting themselves at a greater risk of UTI.
While most people drink less than the recommended amount of water and have experienced kidney pain, they also are taking measures to prevent further kidney problems. Of all the respondents, 64 percent have increased their water intake. Only 14 percent reported having done nothing to prevent kidney problems. However, 14 percent also indicated that they have never experienced kidney pain. Consequently, it's difficult to determine whether those who haven't taken preventative measures actually suffer from kidney problems. The lack of action possibly stems from the lack of a problem.
NCERx's survey found that kidney problems are common, though they tend to be minor and intermittent. Although most people fall short of the recommended water intake, they are conscious of it and are making an effort to promote general kidney health.
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