The medical world is sounding the alarm about the increasing use of ketamine among young people. Its systematic use damages the bladder, kidneys and urinary tract. “The long-term complaints are terrible,” warns urologist Wouter van der Sanden in Goedemorgen Nederland on NPO 1.
Van der Sanden is a urologist at the Jeroen Bosch Hospital in Den Bosch and saw the number of patients in his department increase. They were mainly young people, who had complaints in their bladder, kidneys and/or urinary system after frequent use of ketamine. Because little was known about the drug and how to treat the patients, Van der Sanden decided to start a special outpatient clinic in 2022.
“When we started this, we saw an average of two or three patients per month. Now that’s about 20 per month. We now have about 200 patients under treatment. Almost exclusively in their twenties and thirties,” says the doctor.
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‘Terrible complaints’
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
In recent years, the use of ketamine among young people has increased significantly. Where the drug was initially a niche, it is now a mainstream drug. “It is considered relatively safe, because you experience few complaints from it in the short term,” says Van der Sanden as the reason why ketamine became popular overnight.
The urologist warns that ketamine has an addictive effect. “If you are addicted, you will get terrible complaints in your bladder and kidneys in the long term.”
More clarity
Meanwhile, more and more young people are reporting to Van der Sanden’s outpatient clinic. “There needs to be more clarity, because ketamine is indeed a drug that should be considered unsafe,” the urologist calls.
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He wants users to have a better idea of the long-term consequences. He also wants healthcare providers to have a better idea of the problems of systematic ketamine use. “If young people have to urinate a lot and have extreme pain in their bladder and pelvis, healthcare providers should ask them about ketamine use.”
If it is determined that ketamine is the cause of the symptoms, Van der Sanden urges his colleagues to call for help quickly and in time. “It is a disease that can be cured.”
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Ketamine bladder treatment
The Alarming Consequences of Ketamine Abuse: Bladder Damage and Urinary Tract Problems
The medical community is sounding the alarm about the increasing use of ketamine among young people, highlighting the devastating consequences of its systematic use on the bladder, kidneys, and urinary tract. According to urologist Wouter van der Sanden, “The long-term complaints are terrible” [[1]]. Ketamine, a drug once considered niche, has become mainstream, and its addictive effects are causing irreparable harm to the urinary system of many young users.
The Rise of Ketamine Abuse
In recent years, the use of ketamine has skyrocketed among young people, with many considering it a relatively safe drug due to its minimal short-term effects [[1]]. However, this misconception has led to a significant increase in ketamine-related problems, with many young users reporting complaints in their bladder, kidneys, and urinary system.
Ketamine Bladder Syndrome: A Serious and Frequently Irreversible Condition
The prolonged use of ketamine can lead to a condition known as Ketamine Bladder Syndrome (KBS) or Ketamine Cystitis, which is characterized by serious and frequently irreversible damage to the urinary tract [[3]]. More than 50% of ketamine abusers experience Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) such as increased urinary frequency and urgency, nocturia, urethral pain, and incomplete emptying [[2]].
Treatment and Awareness
To address the growing concern, Dr. Van der Sanden established a special outpatient clinic in 2022, which has seen a significant increase in patients, with approximately 200 young people under treatment, mostly in their twenties and thirties [[1]]. The clinic aims to provide a better understanding of the long-term consequences of ketamine use and to educate healthcare providers on the treatment of ketamine-related urinary tract problems.
The Need for Clarity and Education
Dr. Van der Sanden emphasizes the need for more clarity on the dangers of ketamine use, stating that it is indeed a drug that should be considered unsafe [[1]]. He calls for users to be aware of the long-term consequences and for healthcare providers to have a better understanding of the treatment of ketamine-related problems.
The Takeaway
The systematic use of ketamine can have devastating and irreversible consequences on the bladder, kidneys, and urinary tract. It is essential for users to be aware of the risks associated with ketamine use and for healthcare providers to have a better understanding of the treatment of ketamine-related problems. Education and awareness are critical in preventing the long-term complaints associated with ketamine abuse.
References:
Ketamine bladder treatment
The Alarming Consequences of Ketamine Abuse: Bladder Damage and Urinary Tract Problems
The medical community is sounding the alarm about the increasing use of ketamine among young people, highlighting the devastating consequences of its systematic use on the bladder, kidneys, and urinary