An increase in obesity may account for the greater prevalence of the condition, which can be mitigated by drinking enough water

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Emergency hospital admissions for kidney stones have risen by 115% in a decade, figures indicate.

Should I stop drinking bottled water? Read more

The number of people admitted to hospital after visiting A&E for the ­condition rose from 5,842 in 2004-05 to 12,572 cases in 2014-15, the Natural Hydration Council (NHC) said.

Kidney stones are lumps that can develop in the kidneys. The condition is more likely to occur when a person does not drink enough fluid or if they are taking certain types of medication.

The figures suggest that almost ­two-thirds of cases affect men, according to the analysis of data from hospital ­admissions in England.

Prof Tom Sanders, an adviser to the NHC – a not-for-profit bottled-water association – and ­emeritus professor of nutrition and dietetics at King’s College London, said: “The increased prevalence of obesity ­probably explains why kidney stones and chronic kidney disease are increasing.

“The best dietary advice available to prevent these conditions is to maintain a healthy weight, avoid adding salt to food, eat five portions of fruit and ­vegetables a day and [have] water as your first choice beverage.”