Dealing with Kidney Stones During Summer – Urologist’s Advice for 2025

India is predominantly known for its summer. The intense heat and rising dehydration, also brings a rather common problem: an uptick in kidney stone cases. As a urologist, one often observes a marked increase in young and elderly patients complaining of severe kidney stone pain, nausea, frequent urination, or blood in urine during peak summer months. The reason? Simply put – excessive water loss, low fluid intake, and dietary imbalances that trigger the formation of renal calculi (medical term for kidney stones).

To find a way around the causes of kidney stones, we must understand how it is formed and how to deal with it medically. 

What Are Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones are hard, crystal-like mineral deposits that form inside the kidneys when urine becomes concentrated. These stones can vary in size, from a grain of sand to a golf ball ,  and may pass unnoticed or cause severe pain depending on their size and location in the urinary tract.

Medically, kidney stones are referred to as renal calculi or nephrolithiasis.

Why Do Kidney Stone Cases Rise In Summer?

Several Indian studies have found that kidney stone cases spike by 20-30% during summer. Here’s why:

• Sweating increases fluid loss, therefore urine becomes more concentrated
• People often drink less water, despite needing more and resort to aerated sweetened drinks instead. 
• Outdoor activities in summers also lead to fluid loss. Without hydration your risk of kidney stone increases. 
• High intake of processed foods, including cold drinks (which are supposed to be diuretics) make matters worse. 

Also Read: Types of Kidney or Renal Stones

Seasonal Triggers For Kidney Stones

Summer

• Low hydration → concentrated urine
• High heat exposure → electrolytes shift (Heat stroke prevention tips)
• Dehydrating cold drinks

Monsoon

• Lower fluid intake when the weather cools
• Stagnant water and infections → struvite stones

Winter

• Rich diets – ghee, cheese, dry fruits (high in calcium/oxalate)
• Spicy comfort foods → increased uric acid production

Also Read: Home Remedies to dissolve kidney stones

What Causes Kidney Stones?

Wondering what causes kidney stones? Here are the primary culprits:

• Low water intake: In between meetings and work catch ups we often overlook the simple task of drinking 8-10 glasses of clean drinking water, especially during hot summer months. Similarly in winters, we hydrate less (staying hydrated is not just a summer thing). So there is always an unwanted spike in kidney stones during these extreme seasons.
• High salt diet: Sodium is necessary for the body’s natural balance, but excess sodium in our diet increases the calcium content in urine. This over time forms the base for kidney stones. (Low Sodium Diet – foods to eat & avoid)
• High intake of oxalate-rich foods: Simply put, those vegetables which are of darker hue are considered under oxalate rich foods. For example: like brinjal, beets, spinach, etc. These also create a tendency to develop kidney stones.
• Excessive protein consumption (meat-heavy diets): Those who are more prone to non-veg food on a daily basis tend to develop more uric acid in the body. This also increases the risk of kidney stones.
• Obesity and sedentary lifestyle: Visceral fat is overall a deterrent for all vital functions in the body as it restricts the natural functioning of the organ. With a sedentary lifestyle the chances of developing kidney stones goes up.
• Family history of kidney stones: If you have a family history of UTIs or recurrent UTIs then chances are that you may also develop stones at some point in your life. 

Therefore, dehydration is the biggest trigger when it comes to kidney stones. This also means that when your urine is too concentrated, it allows minerals to crystallise and clump together, forming stones. Hydrating will make all the difference. 

Who’s at Highest Risk?

1. Middle-aged men (40–60 yrs): Men are twice more likely to have kidney stones than women. Obesity (causes & health risks), drinking habits, and low activity raise stone risk considerably.
2. People with metabolic conditions: Hypertension, diabetes (cause, symptom, risk factor & treatment), fatty liver may lay the foundation for developing kidney stones.
3. Occupational risks: Labourers or those working in heat see 20–30% more kidney stones.
4. History of UTI: If you have a history of stone or UTI, and you don’t make necessary lifestyle changes, the condition will recur.  
5. Genetic conditions: Conditions like cystinuria or hyperoxaluria often come with Kidney stone issues.

Therefore, if you’re over 40, male, overweight, diabetic, a tea-aficionado, or have a family history, it’s wise to monitor your kidney health proactively.

Types of Kidney Stones (Types of Renal Calculi)

There are 4 main types of kidney stones, each with different causes and preventive approaches:

Type of Kidney Stone	Prevalence in India	Common Triggers
Calcium Oxalate Stones	The most common type in India.	low fluid intake high oxalate foods (e.g., spinach, tea) low calcium intake
Uric Acid Stones	More common in people with high purine diets (red meat, organ meat, fish)	animal protein heavy diet pre-existing comorbidities like gout or diabetes exists
Struvite Stones	This condition is more commonly observed in females	Often caused by recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Cystine Stones	Rare and usually hereditary.	Cystinuria, a rare inherited disorder causes kidneys to leak excessive amounts of the amino acid cystine into the urine

Knowing the types of renal stones helps doctors customise the best kidney stones treatment plan for each patient.

Also Read: Tips to improve gut health

What are the first signs of kidney stones?

Based on stone size and location, most significant kidney stone symptoms are:

• Sharp shooting pain or cramp in the back, lower abdomen or obliques. 
• Pain during urination
• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
• Blood in urine (haematuria)
• Frequent urgency to urinate
• Nausea or vomiting

Kidney Stone Pain is often sudden and severe. The pain may shift location as the stone moves through the urinary tract.

How To Prevent Kidney Stones?

1. Hydrate the right way:

Drink 10–12 glasses of water daily, or in the form of coconut water, nimbu-pani (lemonade), and barley water. The goal is to keep urine pale yellow or clear. Replace sugary drinks with chaach (buttermilk), ORS, or lemon water. 

2. Cut down on salt:

Avoid namkeens, pickles, chips, and instant noodles. Binge eating these high salt content packaged foods exposes higher risk of developing stones. 

3. Limit Oxalate-Rich Foods:

Reduce intake of spinach, beetroot, tea, chocolate, and brinjal ,  especially if you or your family members have ever been diagnosed with calcium oxalate stones. Instead have fibre rich foods like oats, papaya, watermelon and cucumber. 

4. Moderate Animal Protein:

You must go easy on animal protein which means no red meat or high calorie sea food, as it causes uric acid stones. 

5. Increase Citrate-Rich Foods:

Citric acid found naturally in lime juice, oranges, and tomatoes increase citrate in urine, which helps prevent stones from forming. However, keep it moderate as Vitamin C in excess of 1,000mg/day converts to oxalate and results in stone formation. 

Also Read: Diet After Weight Loss Surgery

Managing Kidney Stones: When to See a Urologist?

Kidney stones treatment depends on size, location, and type. Your doctor may recommend:

• Increased fluid intake (for small stones to pass naturally)
• Pain management with prescribed medications
• Alpha blockers to relax ureter muscles
• Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) – non-invasive stone breaking
• Ureteroscopy (URS) – using a scope to remove stones
• PCNL – surgery for large stones

For kidney stone pain relief, consult a urologist before taking any OTC painkillers, especially if you have other health conditions.

Lifestyle Changes to Support Kidney Health

✅ Drink water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty
✅ Exercise regularly to prevent obesity and improve urine flow
✅ Don’t hold in urine for too long, it can lead to infections
✅ Follow-up with a urologist if you’ve had stones before

Also Read: Reason for change in urine colour during pregnancy

Conclusion

Kidney stones are preventable with smart hydration, conscious eating, and regular urological check-ups, especially during the scorching Indian summers. If you’ve ever experienced kidney stone symptoms or are at risk due to lifestyle or genetics, now’s the time to take preventive steps. Untreated stones can lead to recurrent UTIs, kidney damage, or blockage. Stones larger than 5 mm may not pass naturally and require lithotripsy or surgery The Times of IndiaNature. Decoding stone composition, calcium oxalate, uric acid, struvite, is vital for tailored kidney stones treatment and prevention.

Don’t wait for the pain to hit. Make water your best friend this summer, your kidneys will thank you.

FAQs

1. How Can I Tell If I’m Getting Kidney Stones?

Early signs include lower back pain, burning urination, or red-tinged urine. If you feel nauseated or the pain radiates to the groin, get medical help urgently.

2. Are There Certain Foods That Increase the Risk of Kidney Stones in Summer?

Yes. Salty snacks, fried food, tea, spinach, and red meat. People also drink less water and eat dehydrating foods ,  worsening the risk.

3. How Long Does It Take for Kidney Stones to Pass?

Small stones (less than 5mm) may pass on their own in 1–2 weeks. Larger ones may need medical procedures.

4. Can Kidney Stones Be Prevented Completely?

If you’re prone to kidney stones, you can’t guarantee 100% prevention. But proper hydration, diet, and medical monitoring reduce your chances significantly.

5. Are Kidney Stones Dangerous?

If ignored, yes. They can lead to infections, kidney damage, or blockage in the urinary tract. Timely treatment is essential.

6. What Foods Should I Avoid With Kidney Stones?

Avoid oxalate-heavy foods (spinach, beetroot), red meat, salty snacks, colas, and vitamin C supplements. Eat a balanced diet rich in fibre and fluids.