Summertime Brings Rising Risk for Kidney Stones

Did you know that doctors warn their patients that summertime is the perfect weather for developing kidney stones? The extra heat and dry air tend to dehydrate the human body which encourages the crystallization of mineral deposits in the kidneys. These deposits are what we call “kidney stones.” As they develop, they gradually move throughout the entire urinary tract which causes the severe pain and discomfort.

Kidney Stone Cases on the Rise

In the past 15 years, diagnoses of kidney stones have nearly doubled. According to a 2012 study published in European Urology, approximately 9% of all Americans will develop this medical condition at some point in their lifetime. The reasons for this dramatic increase are not entirely clear, but many scientists believe that a connection exists between kidney stones and the rising obesity rates. While men are considered more prone to developing kidney stones than women, this study shows that the gap is slowly narrowing.

Recurrence of Kidney Stones is High

Patients who have suffered from kidney stones in the past are at a much higher risk of developing this condition again in the future. But through simple changes in diet, like drinking more water and avoiding sugary foods and beverages, doctors maintain that a recurrence is entirely preventable. Other preventative measures might depend on the type of kidney stone that develops in the patient. For the more common types, doctors sometimes recommend increasing the levels of dietary calcium or avoiding spinach, for example.

Painful Symptoms Easily Mistaken

Almost all patients who develop kidney stones for the very first time end a visiting the emergency room, according to the Director of the Kidney Stone Center in Los Angeles, Gregory Jack. If the kidney stones happen to exist on the right side of the body, many first-timers mistakenly assume that they are suffering from a burst appendix. If the stone falls on the left, they can easily mistake the pain for a heart attack. Although kidney stones are seen more often in men than in women, this gap is steadily narrowing. In recent years, the number of men developing kidney stones is decreasing while cases in women are incrementally increasing. The reasons for this changing dynamic are still unclear.

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