RENO, Nev. (MyNews4.com & KRNV) -- We know heat-related injuries increase during the summer months, but a research team out of Philadelphia said you face another risk with warmer weather: kidney stones.
The study team analyzed medical records of more than 60,000 adults and children with kidney stones between 2005 and 2011. They also looked at weather data. What they found was as the mean daily temperature rose, there was also a rapid increase in the probability of a patient presenting with a kidney stone within a 20-day time period.
Scientists said this draws a connection between warmer temperatures and painful kidney stones. "I've had men tell me its like labor," said REMSA's Director of Education and Chief Nursing Officer Diane Rolfs. "I've had women tell me they would rather go through child labor than have a kidney stone. It's pretty excrutiating."
Rolfs said there is a way to protect against kidney stones by staying hydrated. "Right now, there's no cure for kidney stones. So the only thing that really helps is to keep your urine diluted enough that the crystals can't form the kidney stone."
Drinking water is important, but summertime relaxation can include alcohol. "It can be dehydrating," said Rolfs. "But if you drink fluid after you drink alcohol, you don't get that dehydration effect." Moderation is also advised.
But if you are a coffee lover, take heart. "Some people think coffee is dehydrating," explained Rolfs. "Actually studies have show that if you are caffeine naive, you have a little of that dehydration effect, but they've found that for people who drink coffee all the time, it doesn't effect them that way. So, yes, it counts as water."
Rolfs said kidney stones can run in families, but not always. She said they can strike adults and children without warning. So, stay hydrated.
If you have any questions, you can call the REMSA Nurse Health Line, 24-hours a day, seven days a week at 775-858-1000.