Heavy coffee, energy drink use for deadlines raises kidney failure risk in young Vietnamese

The warning was shared at the discussion 'Kidney Failure in Young Adults: Risks and Warnings,' organized by Phap Luat TP.HCM (Ho Chi Minh City Law) newspaper on Thursday.

Pham Van Hien, a doctor from the dialysis department at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, said the hospital currently treats hundreds of patients undergoing regular dialysis, with an increasing number requiring emergency dialysis each day.

He noted a troubling rise in patients under 40 with end-stage chronic kidney disease.

More than 10 million people in Vietnam are living with chronic kidney disease, accounting for about 12.8 percent of the adult population.

Statistics from the first three months of 2024 at Cho Ray Hospital show that around 15 percent of 450 dialysis patients were under 35.

Bui Thi Ngoc Yen, a lecturer at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, said unhealthy lifestyles among young people are a major factor behind the trend.

Frequent consumption of fast food, sugary drinks, high-fat and high-salt dishes, along with limited physical activity, has contributed to rising rates of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and metabolic disorders, all of which increase kidney risk.

Popular foods such as boba tea, spicy instant noodles, and sweet pastries often contain excessive sugar and salt, creating long-term strain on the kidneys.

Yen added that improper weight-loss methods, including cutting carbohydrates while sharply increasing fat and protein intake, can also overload kidney function.

Meanwhile, Tran Le Quan, a doctor from Ngoc Minh General Clinic, warned that many young people rely on strong coffee or energy drinks to meet deadlines.

"Caffeine causes the kidneys to work harder and increases the risk of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance," Quan said.

"Over time, this can damage kidney function."

Quan advised drinking sufficient water before consuming coffee or energy drinks, recommending water intake at least three times the amount of caffeine consumed to reduce dehydration. The same guideline applies to alcohol.

According to Hien, dehydration is more than just feeling thirsty. It is a disruption of the body's water and electrolyte balance that places significant stress on the kidneys.

"When dehydration happens repeatedly, the kidneys must work continuously to compensate, which raises the long-term risk of kidney damage and chronic kidney disease," he said.

Doctors also highlighted the financial burden of dialysis.

Without health insurance, each dialysis session costs between VND700,000 (US$27) and over VND1 million ($38).

Patients who require treatment three times a week face monthly expenses of VND10-15 million ($380-570), not including additional medical costs.

Although kidney transplant outcomes in Vietnam have improved, with more than 95 percent five-year survival rates at major centers, donor shortages remain severe because most transplants rely on living donors within families.

To reduce risks, doctors urged young people to undergo regular kidney function checkups, allowing early detection and treatment before serious complications develop.