Women's risk of developing painful kidney stones may be rising, according to a new study in the Journal of Urology[1] .


Researchers from Henry Ford's Vattikuti Urology Institute found that the number of visits to the emergency department because of kidney stones increased from 2006 to 2009. While more men visited the emergency department than women for the condition, the number of women increased.


"While the number of patients visiting the emergency department had increased over that time period, it was women who had the greatest increase in visits," study researcher Khurshid R. Ghani, M.D., said in a statement.


"Women are becoming more and more obese[2] ," Ghani added. "Obesity is a major risk factor for developing a kidney stone. And one fascinating thing about women versus men is obese women are more likely to develop a stone than an obese man."


The study is based on data from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample, from 2006 to 2009, a time period during which there were 3.6 million visits to the emergency department because of upper urinary tract stones.


Researchers found that kidney stone incidence increased from 289 for every 100,000 people to 306 for every 100,000 people over the study period. Twelve percent of people presenting with the condition required hospitalization; hospitalization rates didn't fluctuate over the study period.


Kidney stones are common, and occur when materials in the urine form a stone[3] . For some people, they pass without pain, but for others, they can cause a lot of pain and even bleeding, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.


Recently, a study in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology showed that regularly drinking sugary beverages[4] could raise risk of kidney stones.



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  • Drink First Thing


    "Place a glass of water by your bed and drink it first thing when you get up," suggests Keri Gans, M.S., R.D., a nutrition spokesperson and author of "The Small Changes Diet," in an email to The Huffington Post. Try drinking it <a href="http://www.health.com/health/library/topic/0,,abk5466_abk5467,00.html" target="_hplink">before your usual coffee or tea</a>.
    <br><br>
    <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jkonig/2168435597/" target="_hplink">JKönig</a></em>




  • Sip At Your Desk


    Keep a reusable cup or bottle at your desk. When it's empty, go refill it. It's a great way to fit in <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/13/sitting_n_1202800.html" target="_hplink">more steps during the day</a>, too!
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    Neglecting the bottle? "Put a sticky note on your computer to remind you to drink up," says Gans. If that <em>still</em> doesn't work, try setting a reminder alarm on your phone or calendar.
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    <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jcestnik/3889059326/" target="_hplink">jennypdx</a></em>




  • Bring Water To Go


    If you don't have a desk job, or even if you do, toss a water bottle in your bag to sip while you're out and about, says Gans.
    <br><br>
    <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yourdon/4105822390/" target="_hplink">Ed Yourdon</a></em>




  • Drink Before You Eat


    When you sit down to a meal, have a glass or two of water before you start to eat. Not only can it serve as a reminder to drink more, but a 2010 study found that drinking <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100823142929.htm" target="_hplink">two glasses before meals</a> helped people lose five pounds more over 12 weeks than people who did not increase their water intake.
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    <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlg/237204111/" target="_hplink">Earl</a></em>




  • Dilute Your Juice


    If you're the type of person who'd rather reach for a sweet sip than plain ol' water, you don't have to cut out juice cold turkey. Instead, Gans recommends filling 1/4 of your glass with 100 percent fruit juice, then topping it off with water or seltzer.
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    <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/73981677@N00/5401688691/" target="_hplink">badoir</a></em>




  • Skip The Soda


    If you find yourself reaching for a soda or other sweet drink that isn't 100 percent fruit juice, use that craving as a reminder instead to grab a glass of H2O. And if you can't quit those bubbles? "Seltzer counts as water," says Gans.
    <br><br>
    <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/spencereholtaway/1412762050/" target="_hplink">Spencer E Holtaway</a></em>




  • Give Your Water Some Flavor


    Still can't get over the bland taste? "Use fresh fruit or veggies to flavor your water," says Gans. Cucumber, lemon, lime and watermelon are tasty options, she says, and high in water themselves.
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    <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/riekhavoc/4665442112/" target="_hplink">Kaytee Riek</a></em>




  • Track Your Intake


    Just as <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080708080738.htm" target="_hplink">keeping a food diary</a> can help you key into what and when you're eating, tracking your water intake can similarly shine a light on where you could fit in more fluids. There's even <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/waterlogged-drink-more-water/id352199775?mt=8" target="_hplink">an app for that</a>!
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    <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ari/765880039/" target="_hplink">Steve Rhodes</a></em>




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