Heat causes more kidney stones

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Triple digit temperatures have made a comeback in the last couple of weeks, and doctors say in these hot days of summer, they are seeing more kidney stones in patients.  

Dr. Ann Buchanan at St. David's Medical Center's emergency department has been looking at more CAT scans recently showing people with kidney stones.  The stones form as crystals in the kidneys or urinary tract.  There are several causes, but in the summer, people often develop them when they get dehydrated.

"A lot of times when people are out doing the fun activities of summer such as boating or floating down the river, it often involves sodas or alcohol which also act as diuretics that help the body lose even more water and increase the risk of dehydration therefore increasing the risk of kidney stones,"  said Dr. Buchanan.

Dr. Buchanan staying hydrated and limiting caffeine can help prevent kidney stones.

Other things going around

Heart Hospital of Austin
Dr. Whitney Bludworth
* Dehydration
* Physical injuries
* Chest pain

St. David's Georgetown Hospital
Dr. Johnathan Conner
* Heat exhaustion/heat related ailments

St. David's Urgent Care Pflugerville
Dr. Robert Skjonsby
* Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

Scott & White Cedar Park West Clinic
Dr. Carlos Victorica
* Gastroenteritis
* Musculoskeletal complaints (back pain)
* Mood disorders

Texas MedClinic
* General allergies
* Bronchitis