Night Shift Workers Face Higher Risk of Kidney Stones: Study

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Lahore: People working night shifts are significantly more likely to develop kidney stones, according to new research published by the UK’s National Kidney Foundation.

The study revealed that individuals working outside the regular 9am to 5pm schedule face a 15 to 22 percent higher risk of developing kidney stones compared to daytime workers.

Researchers analyzed health data from more than 220,000 participants in the UK Biobank Health Study, of whom around 2,900 developed kidney stones during an average follow-up period of 14 years.

Kidney stones are hard deposits formed from chemicals in urine and can cause intense pain, sometimes requiring hospitalization. They may also remain asymptomatic but can still pose serious health risks.

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Dr. Felix Knauf, a nephrologist at the Mayo Clinic, explained that night shift work disrupts the b ody’s circadian rhythm — the internal clock that regulates water balance and body chemistry — thereby contributing to the increased likelihood of kidney stones.

The research further noted that lifestyle factors such as smoking, poor sleep, physical inactivity, high body mass index (BMI), and low water intake amplify the risk among shift workers.

Health experts recommend weight control, adequate hydration, proper sleep, reduced sedentary behavior, and quitting smoking as effective ways to counter the negative health impacts of night shift work.

Professor Young emphasized that adopting healthier habits could significantly reduce the urological health risks faced by shift workers.