Kidney stones are becoming more common, especially in women, new research has found.

Better diagnostic tools could be part of the reason for the steady rise in diagnoses, according to Mayo Clinic researchers.

‘Infection stones’

By using CT scans, “we are now diagnosing symptomatic kidney stones that previously would have gone undiagnosed because they would not have been detected,” lead researcher Dr Andrew Rule said in a Mayo news release.

The findings are published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

Dr Rule and his colleagues analysed the records of more than 7 200 residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, who were diagnosed with kidney stones for the first time between 1984 and 2012.

The investigators found that women – especially those 18 to 39 years old – developed stones more often than men. They were most likely to have so-called “infection stones”, blamed on chronic urinary tract infections.

According to StoneDisease.org, kidney stones begin as crystals inside the kidney and mostly consist of calcium and oxalate. For kidney stones to develop, the urine must be supersaturated, which means there are too many salts and not enough fluid in the urine. Dehydration, is one of the main reasons for supersaturation. 

Whites have higher risk

Bladder stones were less common. However, they were found more often in men, because of blockages involving the prostate gland.

People prone to kidney stones should make some changes to their diet to help prevent recurrences, the researchers advised. This may include drinking more water, reducing salt intake and eating less meat.

The researchers noted that their findings may not apply to everyone because study participants were mainly white. White people have a higher risk for kidney stones than other racial groups, they said.

Also, whether something besides better imaging techniques is responsible for kidney stones being found more often in women will require further study, the researchers said.

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A number of emotions can arise when kids go off to college and start their adult life.

Research done at the University of Kansas shows that being able to communicate through texting and other channels can help you feel more connected and have a more satisfying relationship with your grown kids.

Different methods of communication

Gone are the days when you had to wait by the phone for a call from your college student. Today you can send – and receive – text messages and emails anytime. And video chats let you have a “face-to-face” conversation, even when you’re thousands of miles away from each other.

And the more mediums you use, the better. According to the Kansas survey results from nearly 370 participants aged 18 to 29, those with the most satisfying parent relationships used three different methods of communication.

Explore all these channels of communication:

• Cellphone
• Texting
• Email
• Video calls
• Social media like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat

Staying close

Another important survey finding was that dads often need to make more of an effort to use the more non-traditional tools – moms adopt them more easily. For parents who have a harder time with verbal communication, sending e-messages might actually be a comfortable way to reach out; to let your grown child know how much you care, and share information to stay close.

Finally, frequency counts. As surprising as it might sound, more communication is appreciated by college students. Especially when the messages are casual texts – like “good luck on that test” – just to maintain contact, rather than to convey important pieces of information.

A new lease on life

But what if you don’t communicate that often with your child? You still have a great relationship, but you don’t feel guilty about having your house to yourself again.

According to the American Psychological Association, having an “empty nest” isn’t all bad, and new research suggests that many parents get a new lease on life when their children leave home.

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The scale can be your best friend – or your worst enemy – when you’re on a diet.

But whether or not you like what you see, a scale isn’t the only – or necessarily the best – way to track your progress. Rather than looking for a particular number on a scale, measure your success in more meaningful ways:

1. Check your BMI (but don’t obsess over it)

Changes in your body mass index, or BMI (a ratio of your weight and height), is one good indicator of weight loss. Use an online calculator to plug in your stats. As your weight drops, you should also see your BMI go down. Note that a normal BMI range is between 18.5 and 24.9, while 25 to 29.9 indicates overweight, and 30 or greater signals obesity. Remember that BMI has limitations of his own and use this method only as a rough guide. 

2. Get the tape measure

Because a large waist circumference puts you at greater risk of diabetes, heart disease and other health problems, you can also chart your progress with a tape measure. Use it to track the centimetres around your chest, hips, thighs, calves and upper arms, as well as your middle.

3. Try on your clothes 

How your clothes fit is an easy way to know if you’re dropping kilograms. Grab a tight pair of pants from your closet and try them on every two weeks, noting any changes. It can be encouraging to notice how a pair of previously too-tight pants can now be done up with ease. 

4. Be realistic

If you’re still focused on using the scale, aim to lose a realistic ½ to 1kg a week, to avoid being discouraged. Also keep in mind that things such as muscle weight and water retention can influence the numbers.

5. Pick the right time

Also, keep in mind that Monday isn’t the best day for a weigh-in. Because people tend to eat more on the weekends and less during the week, Friday morning is a better time to get on the scale. But remember to stick roughly to the same time every week (preferably in the morning after your first bowel movement) and don’t obsess over the scale – only weigh yourself once a week.

Choose your scale wisely 

While it’s important not to obsess over the number on the scale, the scale can remain a helpful tool if you are on a weight-loss journey. Dietitian Ingrid van Heerden gave her advice on how to make sure the scale is roughly accurate.

“It is a good idea to buy a good scale that gives reliable results (test any scale you buy by weighing yourself about 4 times in succession – if the scale is inaccurate then it will give you four different readings and you will know not to waste your money). However, it is not necessary to spend a lot of money to have your fat percentage analysed, as these gadgets can also give the wrong readings. Stick to a healthy diet and exercise routine, weigh yourself once a week, and track your vital statistics also once a week, and relax – the weight loss will happen.” 

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