Former Holby City and Hollyoaks star David Ames shared a health update with fans on social media
David Ames has given fans an update following an urgent trip to the hospital amidst his ‘absolute agony’. The 41-year-old Holby City and Hollyoaks star, shared a photo of himself connected to an IV drip while revealing his possible diagnosis.
“Waking up in absolute agony with possible kidney stones is not how I planned to start my day… but here we are!” he said, according to the Mirror. Later, he also snapped a picture of the water-soluble lubricated jelly he was being treated with, joking: “Didn’t even buy me a drink…”
Kidney stones are typically formed when hard, insoluble minerals and salts build up within the body. Although very small stones can go unnoticed, larger masses may give rise to uncomfortable symptoms.
High temperatures, blood in urine, pain in the abdomen or groin, and urinary infections are among them. The latter can also give urine a foul odour.
“Kidney stones can develop in one or both kidneys and most often affect people aged 30 to 60,” the NHS explains. “They’re quite common, with more than one in 10 people affected.
“Kidney stones are usually found in the kidneys or in the ureter, the tube that connects the kidneys to your bladder. They can be extremely painful, and can lead to kidney infections or the kidney not working properly if left untreated.”
Not drinking enough fluids or having a medical condition that raises the levels of certain substances in the urine are two factors that can worsen your risk of getting a kidney stone. As a result, the NHS encourages people to stay hydrated while also paying attention to the colour of their urine, which should be pale.
Most kidney stones are small enough to leave the body through urination, but others require surgical removal. “It’s estimated up to half of all people who have had kidney stones will experience them again within the following five years,” the NHS adds.
“To avoid getting kidney stones, make sure you drink plenty of water every day so you do not become dehydrated. It’s very important to keep your urine pale in colour to prevent waste products forming into kidney stones.”