Kidney stones : Why are they common in summer

Summer is here and so will be kidney stones. Yes, kidney stones are common in summer. As you all know passing of kidney stone is a hell of a task in any season but in summer the task becomes difficult. It happens because in summer the body gets dehydrated too much and there is a lot of risk of kidney stones. This encourages the minerals in body to get crystallized. There are many cases of kidney stones in summer. Kidney stones are solid often sharp substances which are made up of mineral and acid salts. They can travel to ureter, which is a tube which connects the kidney and the bladder and cause too much pain. So, if you are suffering from kidney stones, then it’s time to get them treated soon. You can treat them by kidney stones surgery or by following home remedies. 

Kidney stones can develop easily if you live in a warm area, this can increase in summer season, as you can feel the heat everywhere. Now, if a patient comes into an emergency room with pain, which means that kidney stone is moving. It happens in summer rather than in winter season. This is simply because of the seasonal shifts due to which the problem becomes big. Now, another thing is that if a urine sample is taken in winter and in summer. So, the chances of kidney stones will be more in summer. This is because of improper dehydration, the body fluids become more concentrated with dietary minerals like calcium. This increases the risk that minerals will concentrate into kidney stones. You will also suffer from low urine volume which is a major risk of kidney stones which happens because of not drinking plenty of fluids, doing heavy exercises and living in a hot climate. When your urine appears dark in color, then you can sense that your urine volume is low. 

Now, coming to the treatment part, it will depend from person to person. It will also depend on the size of kidney stones, overall health and also the age of the patient. 

How to prevent kidney stones in summer?

The prevention of kidney stones depends on what you consume. It’s that simple. 

• Staying hydrated is key: Drinking upto 12 glasses of water a day will help to flush out the bacteria present in the kidney which forms stones. During the summer season, you should drink more water. If you sweat a lot or exercise then you require plenty of water. Try to drink a glass of water before you go to bed or if you wake up during the night. 
• Consume more calcium rich foods: Although calcium seems the reason for calcium stones but this is not the case. Consuming calcium in moderate amounts can block other substances which cause kidney stones. Talk with your doctor how much calcium you should consume in a day. The doctor will tell you more about the diet. Low-fat milk, low-fat yogurt are best foods for calcium rich foods.
• Consume less sodium: A diet which is high in sodium can increase the chance of developing kidney stones. Too much salt present in the urine prevents the calcium from being reabsorbed from the urine to the blood. This causes high urine calcium which might lead to kidney stones.
• Choose your beverages wisely: Limit tea, coffee and sodas to one or two cups a day as caffeine can cause rapid water loss. According to studies, it has seen that lemonades and other fruits and juices are high in natural citrate. You should be beware of sugar content in juices because this can increase in the formation of kidney stones. 
• Seek medical advice: You should also seek professional advice before making any decision. The doctor will prescribe medications which will prevent the formation of calcium and struvite stones.