People who form kidney stones often share certain risk factors. Middle-aged men, for instance, are more likely to form stones than other people. A family history of stones also increases your risk. Assess your risk factors by checking the questions below “yes” or “no.”
| Yes | No | |
|---|---|---|
| Do you drink fewer than eight glasses of water a day? |  |
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| Do you live in the Southeast or another hot climate? | |
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| Have you ever had a kidney stone before? | |
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| Has anyone in your family had kidney stones? | |
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| Are you a male between the ages of 30 and 50? | |
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| Have you had a kidney infection in the last few months? | |
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| Do you take large doses of calcium or vitamin C supplements? | |
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| Do you often drink or eat dairy products (high-calcium foods)? | |
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| Do you often drink cola or tea, or eat chocolates, spinach, or peanuts (high-oxalate foods)? | |
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How Great Is Your Risk?
The more times you answered “yes,” the greater your risk of forming kidney stones. But you can help reduce your risk. Learn more about kidney stones, how they form, and how to prevent them.