Are kidney stones more common in warmer weather?

If you have ever had a bout of painful kidney stones, you know how excruciating they can be. It is a pain that can bring people to their knees and into the emergency department.

One in 11 people in the U.S. are affected by kidney stones.

With the summer months here, Cook County Health wants to remind people to look out for their kidney health. Statistics indicate an uptick in kidney stone cases with warmer weather.

Kidney stones can be smaller than a quarter of an inch and up to several inches in size. Small stones can be easily passed through your urinary tract without you even knowing. Larger stones typically cause more pain and will likely require medical attention.

Symptoms can include:

• Pain in your lower abdomen, lower back or your side

• Nausea and vomiting

• Change in urination such as frequency and color. Watch out for blood.

• Fever and chills

To help avoid kidney stones, it is important to maintain a healthy weight and blood pressure, eat healthy and exercise regularly.

Be sure to drink plenty of water, especially in summer months when you may be sweating more.

If pain persists or you have any symptoms listed above, seek medical attention. Cook County Health is here to guide you to a healthy lifestyle, which includes your kidney health.