Who Is Affected by Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones are one of the most painful disorders and one of the most common disorders of the urinary tract. It is estimated that 10 percent of all people in the United States will have a kidney stone at some point in time. Consider the following statistics:

• Caucasians are more prone to kidney stones than are African-Americans.
• Although stones occur more frequently in men, the number of women who develop kidney stones has been increasing.
• Kidney stones strike most people between the ages of 20 and 40.
• Once a person develops more than one stone, he or she is more likely to develop additional stones.