Risk of Kidney Stones increases during the Summertime.
Kidney stones are considered to be the third most common urological affliction following urinary tract infections and prostate conditions. They are also known to be one of the most excruciatingly painful. Some of the common occurring symptoms associated with kidney stones can include; severe pain along your back and side just below your ribs, pain that spreads to the groin or lower abdomen area with any of these symptoms accompanied with pain while urinating or blood present in your urine.
Most people can safely pass a kidney stone given the proper treatment and medication. Without medical intervention, studies reveal that a patient has approximately a 50 percent chance of developing another kidney stone within a five year time period.
Summer’s dry, hot weather boosts incidences of kidney stones.
Urology doctors have seen a rise in the last 30 years of the incidence of kidney stones. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there is approximately 1 in 300 people annually in the United States that suffer with kidney stones. The incidence increases each year along with the onset of warmer, drier, outside temperatures, starting in the spring and continuing with the arid, hot summer months.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there are more men than women who experience this urological condition. Although studies show that the likelihood of kidney stones generally increases with age, people ranging from 20 to 40 years old can also be at risk in the summer due to increased outdoor exertion and chances of dehydration, a major factor in the formation of kidney stones.
These 3 easy preventative steps can effectively cut your risks:
1. Proper hydration is essential. Drinking more water is the simplest way to minimize your risk. Lemonade due to a concentration of citric acid, a natural stone inhibitor, has also been found to help.
2. Change your food choices. A low oxalate diet has been shown to reduce intake of the chemical compound calcium-oxalate, a contributor to kidney stone formation. Oxalate is found in nuts, seeds, certain vegetables and berries.
3. Eat foods high in calcium. Research shows that foods high in calcium, including dairy products, may assist in the prevention of calcium stones. Meanwhile, note that taking calcium supplements may actually increase the risk of developing stones.
For men, the prevalence of kidney stones rises as they enter their 40s and continues to rise into their 70s. The prevalence of kidney stones for women is shown to peak in their 50s. However, those patients with a past history of kidney stones are more prone to experience a recurrence. Urologists, in many instances, will advise them to consider avoiding food with certain types of antacids with a calcium base and vitamin D added.
It is very crucial to seek medical care from an experienced urologist if you suspect that you may have a kidney stone. A urologist can prescribe medical treatment allowing you to pass the stone, while managing your pain, and most importantly reduce your risk of developing another kidney stone in the future.