There is yet another reason to stay well hydrated with these hotter temperatures. It could help you avoid kidney stones. Local 12's Liz Bonis has the latest on the kidney stone diet.
Erin Rathman says walking and water are her secrets to success. "If you are more active and more hydrated you are less likely to have stones form."
Rathman has had kidney stones since age 12, the last one, just a few months ago when she felt, "intense pain, there was no warning and I was at work, so I was sitting down all day and taking phone calls, and it felt like a stabbing pain all the sudden."
Dr. Lee Niemeyer of Group Health in Clifton says that pain is pretty common with a kidney stone, they develop from common minerals also found in foods such as milk and meat, known as uric acid and calcium. "Basically what happens is through our diet and other things these substances get concentrated in the urine and in the kidneys and sometimes those can form out in crystals which cause stones and other problems."
Dr. Niemeyer says medications and diet changes are the best treatments. It is important to note however that you may not be able to avoid kidney stones all together, there is some thought that there may be a genetic predisposition toward these if they run in your family, but there are a few lifestyle changes that you could make, that could make a big difference. "If you are too high on sodium that can cause issues, too much sugar can cause problems, too much animal products can cause issues."
The best diet to reduce kidney stones is generally higher in plant foods such as fruits and vegetables, and lower in higher fat protein foods such as meats, and dairy products. "The biggest thing overall is staying hydrated."
Water is your best drink. Erin Rathman says, "I try to drink at least a gallon a day, so I am never without a water bottle."
