SUNDAY, July 31, 2005 (HealthDayNews) -- Summer's heat is high time for kidney stones, experts warn.
While there are many causes of kidney stones and they can affect anyone at any time of the year, they are most common during the summer.
That's because hot weather, combined with heavy sweating and not drinking enough water, can cause people to become dehydrated. That can result in increased concentrations of substances in the urine. Those substances then crystallize to form kidney stones, says the American Foundation for Urologic Disease (AFUD).
People who work outdoors in hot weather and don't drink enough fluids may increase their risk of developing kidney stones, the AFUD says.
Drinking sufficient fluids may help prevent kidney stones. The Kidney Foundation of Canada suggests you drink a glass of water every hour during the day and whenever you get up during the night. Be sure to drink enough after you exercise and eat.
Of course, dehydration isn't the only cause of kidney stones. Other causes include: infections or blockages of the urinary tract; bed rest or inactivity for several weeks or more; too much calcium oxalate, uric acid, or vitamin C or D in your diet; some medications; and certain metabolic diseases.
Kidney stones vary in composition, and there are different ways you can prevent them. The Kidney Foundation of Canada offers the following tips:
- If you have calcium oxate stones, avoid consuming large amounts of dairy products or foods with a high oxalate content. Examples of those are tea and chocolate.
- Don't take large doses (four grams or more each day) of vitamin C and don't use a lot of antacids.
- If you suffer with uric acid kidney stones, you can cut down the amount of red meat you eat.
More information
Learn about kidney stones from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
