How to Prevent Summertime Kidney Stones

The prevalence of kidney stones is especially high in the summer months. These small stones in the kidneys can lead to blockages and intense pain.

"Kidney stones are hardened mineral deposits that form in the kidneys," says Timothy Schuster, MD. As a urologist with ProMedica Physicians Genito-Urinary Surgeons, he treats individuals with urinary and reproductive health conditions.

He adds, "It's not the stone itself that causes pain. When a stone becomes lodged in the ureter, it can block the flow of urine. This causes severe pain from the pressure that builds up.”

According to the National Institutes of Health, one in 10 people develop kidney stones during their lifetime. They are most prevalent in people aged 30 to 45.

Most kidney stones are made of two types of chemicals called calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate. But it’s important to know that calcium doesn’t actually cause these stones. The heat, however, can increase your risk.

Preventing Kidney Stones with Hydration

"There is such thing as the ‘stone belt’ where kidney stones are more common the closer people live to the equator. In our region, we see a much higher incidence of kidney stones in the warmer months,” explains Dr. Schuster.

The good news is that these often-painful stones are preventable.

"The biggest risk factor for kidney stones is dehydration,” Dr. Schuster says. “People need to drink more water when it's warm and they are sweating.”

Dr. Schuster recommends drinking enough fluid to pass two and a half liters of urine a day, which is roughly eight standard 8-ounce cups. The ideal beverage is plain water, but adding natural citrus can help block stone formation.

Your diet can also influence your risk for kidney stones. "Our Western diet consists of many high fat, high salt and high protein foods, which can lead to kidney stones,” says Dr. Schuster. “Eating more fruits and vegetables can help prevent them.

Treating Kidney Stones

Most times, people can pass a kidney stone on their own. But it can be very painful. The most common symptom is pain in the back and side and blood in the urine.

"It can be intense and yes, I've had female patients describe it as being worse than childbirth. Many patients have mild to moderate pain and nausea,” says Dr. Schuster.

He recommends that you notify your regular physician if you have consistent or sharp pain in your back or side. With severe pain or blood in the urine, you should seek immediate, emergency medical attention.

What are the biggest misconceptions about kidney stones?

Avoiding calcium. The most common stones are comprised of calcium and oxalate. "When people hear ‘calcium,’ they think you should eliminate calcium in your diet. The opposite is true: A diet low is calcium increases your chances of developing kidney stones," says Dr. Schuster.

Consuming cranberry juice. "Consuming cranberry juice has been shown to prevent urinary tract infections, but there is no data it affects kidney stones," says Dr. Schuster.

How do you treat kidney stones?

"The treatment depends on the size and type of stone," says Dr. Schuster. "Our providers have the skill, experience and most advanced treatments to address even the most difficult kidney stones."

These are the most common treatments:

• Laser lithotripsy uses a laser fiber passed through an instrument to deliver a laser beam to break up the kidney stone.
• Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) uses highly focused impulses projected from outside the body to pulverize kidney stones anywhere in the urinary system. This technique usually reduces the stone to sand-like granules that can be passed in the patient's urine. Large stones may require several ESWL treatments. The procedure takes less than an hour and is done on an outpatient basis.
• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is used for a large kidney stone (more than 2 cm). A tube is placed directly into the kidney through the back and then the stones are broken up and removed through the tube.

Dr. Schuster explains that there are some people who are genetically predisposed to kidney stones. The majority of people, however, can prevent them by watching their fluid intake. "My biggest piece of advice is for people to be vigilant with their water consumption. It's that easy and so important."

Timothy Schuster, MD, is a urologist at ProMedica Physicians Genito-Urinary Surgeons. View his profile.