WAXAHACHIE, Texas, July 12 (UPI) -- Kidney stones are more prevalent in the summer since they are linked to water intake, and some people don't always drink enough, advises a U.S. expert.
Dr. Andrew Sambell, a urologist at Baylor Medical Center in Waxahachie, Texas, says there are steps people can take to reduce their risk of kidney stones.
He recommends at least four to eight glasses a day -- and double that in hot weather.
But go easy on meat -- diets high in animal protein increases the risk for kidney stones. Sambell recommends eating a vegetarian diet two days a week or cutting meat intake by 30 percent.
Sambell advises reducing salt intake. Most salt comes from prepared foods, not salt added at the table. He notes that fast food is typically high in salt.
Colas, coffee or iced tea can be high in caffeine, which is a diuretic. Sambell advises switching to decaf at least some of the time.
Add lemon to drinks as it is high in citrate, which acts as a stone inhibitor, according to Sambell.
