WHO'S AT RISK FOR DEVELOPING KIDNEY STONES

Who’s at Risk for Developing Kidney Stones?

Let us first explore some of the basic risk factors for developing one. According to the American Kidney Fund, some behaviors, medical conditions, and genetics may influence the formation of these dreaded stones:

· Having kidney stones previously and/or having a family history of kidney stones

· Not drinking enough water on a consistent basis

· Following a diet high in protein (Hello, keto and low-carb lifestyles!), sodium, and/or sugar

· Being classified as overweight or obese

· Having had gastric bypass or another intestinal surgery

· Having polycystic kidney disease or a related cystic kidney disease

· Having any condition that causes your urine to contain high levels of calcium, cystine, oxalate, or uric acid (such as type 2 diabetes)

· Having a condition that causes swelling or irritation in your bowel and joints

· Taking certain medications or pills, such as water pills (diuretics), calcium-based antacids, or high doses of calcium — such as pre- or post-natal vitamins

Important to note, men are often much more likely to develop kidney stones during their lifetime — 19 percent — than women, who are about half as likely. White, non-Hispanic men, per the American Kidney Fund, are much more likely to develop kidney stones than people of other ethnicities.