Summer – The kidney stone season

It is becoming more and more apparent that global warming is not something that lurks somewhere in our future, but is happening right here and right now. With temperatures reaching unbelievable highs, the heat and humidity wreaks havoc with the kidneys. Summer is often called the kidney stone season as our bodies get dehydrated faster due to sweating and chances of dehydration are high. Dehydration is one of the common causes of kidney stones.

Kidney stones are clumpy deposits that form in the kidneys because your body is not able to excrete the crystal like substances easily. They can occur in anyone, even youngsters, though genetics, age and sex may play a part.

Why do kidney stones form?

Insufficient liquid intake

Without enough liquid, urine becomes concentrated and clumps together. These clumps calcify over time and develop into kidney stones. Drinking plenty of fluids in the summer is vital to avoid kidney stone issues.

Unhealthy diet

What we eat in the summer is important too. Tangy foods can increase the risk of kidney stones as they are high in salt, protein and sugar. It is important to have a diet that reduces the chance of kidney stones.

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Also Read: Kidney Stones – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

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Tips to prevent developing kidney stones

Measure your water

A normal adult should drink 2 litres of water a day. Carry a 1 litre bottle with you to sip from during the day to keep a note of how much water you are drinking.

Check urine output

Urine output should match liquid intake. Track how many times you urinate. Make sure that you have a good flow of urine and that it is clear.

Don’t hold urine in

Empty your bladder regularly. Holding urine in can cause it to get concentrated and trigger development of kidney stones.

Decrease animal protein

Animal protein can raise the risk of stones. Decrease the consumption of foods like:-

• Fish
• Different types of eggs
• Dairy products
• Red meat
• Poultry
• Organ meat

Skip the salt

Avoid canned and processed food as they contain a lot of salt. Get into the habit of adding salt at the table rather than when you are cooking.

Increase magnesium

Have more foods that have a high magnesium content like:-

• Dark leafy greens
• Whole grains
• Nuts, like almond and walnut
• Seeds, like pumpkin and chia

By taking precautions, you can ensure that you don’t run the risk of kidney problems this summer.

 

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