If you’ve ever had kidney stones, then you know that while they’re not lethal, they’re certainly no picnic. And even if you’re lucky enough never to have experienced them, you probably know someone who has. More than half a million people end up in the emergency room with kidney stones each year, according to the National Kidney Foundation, which also reports that one in ten people will have a kidney stone at some point in their lives.
Kidney stones are formed when minerals and salts turn into hard deposits, the Mayo Clinic explains. Painful but not life-threatening, they can be caused by taking certain medications and supplements. If you suffer from repeated urinary tract infections, you may be prone to developing kidney stones; a poor diet and chronic dehydration can also put you at heightened risk. Read more…
