Kidney Stones in Summer: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

The formation of kidney stones accelerates significantly during the summer months due to rising temperatures and fluid loss from heavy sweating. When the body becomes dehydrated, urine concentrates, creating the perfect environment for minerals like calcium and oxalate to crystallize. This chain of events leads to a noticeable spike in emergency room visits for kidney stone complaints during the summer season.

• Dehydration during the hot summer months directly increases your risk of developing kidney stones.
• Severe flank pain, nausea, and blood in the urine are the most common symptoms.
• The gold standard for diagnosis is a non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scan.
• Depending on the stone's size, treatments range from sound waves (ESWL) to minimally invasive surgeries (URS, PNL).
• Drinking 2.5 to 3 litres of water daily is the most effective way to prevent stone formation.

What is a Kidney Stone?

Kidney stones are hard masses formed when minerals normally dissolved in urine—such as calcium, oxalate, and uric acid—precipitate and clump together in crystal form over time. Fundamentally, this is a mechanical issue stemming from the abnormal excretion or absorption of minerals in the body. In their initial microscopic stage, these crystals cause a condition commonly referred to as "passing sand."

If you don't drink enough fluids, these tiny grains of sand bind together, growing into hard stones that can measure anywhere from a few millimetres to several centimetres. While they can affect anyone at any age, adults between 30 and 50 are particularly susceptible. Men also face a slightly higher risk of developing kidney stones compared to women. These stones may remain stationary within the kidney's collecting system, or they can drop into the urinary tract (ureter) and block the flow of urine.

Why Do Kidney Stones Increase in Summer?

The primary reason behind the surge in kidney stone cases during the summer is the excessive sweating caused by hot weather and the resulting hidden fluid loss. When you sweat to regulate your body temperature—perhaps while enjoying the sun on the Aegean coast or navigating the humid streets of Istanbul—and fail to drink enough water, the volume of fluid reaching your kidneys drops. This decreases your urine output while spiking the concentration of salts and minerals within it. Highly concentrated urine provides the ideal setting for crystals to latch onto one another.

Spending long hours under the sun during summer holidays or exerting yourself outdoors widens this fluid deficit. If you follow advice to stay fit and active in the summer heat but reach for acidic or sugary drinks instead of water after a heavy workout, you multiply your risk. A family history of stones, high salt intake, diets heavy in animal protein, and certain metabolic diseases also act as strong triggers during the warmer months.

What Are the Symptoms of Kidney Stones?

Kidney stone symptoms vary depending on the stone's location, size, and whether it is causing a blockage in the urinary tract. Small stones resting quietly inside the kidney usually cause no complaints. However, once a stone moves into the ureter, severe cramps begin. This pain typically starts in the lower back, just below the ribs, and radiates down toward the groin and lower abdomen.

The pain comes in intense waves, and changing positions does little to ease the discomfort. As the stone irritates the urinary tract, you may notice pink, red, or brown discolouration in your urine (hematuria). If the stone blocks urine flow, it can cause the kidney to swell (hydronephrosis), leading to severe nausea and vomiting. A frequent urge to urinate, a burning sensation during urination, and a decrease in urine volume are also common warning signs.

How is it Diagnosed?

Diagnosing a kidney stone begins with your doctor taking a detailed medical history (anamnesis) and performing a physical examination. During the exam, a sudden and sharp tenderness felt when the doctor gently taps the back area where the kidneys are located (the costovertebral angle) is a strong indicator of a stone. However, radiological imaging is essential for a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan.

Ultrasonography is often the first choice for pregnant women and children because it is reliable and involves no radiation. Yet, an ultrasound may fall short in detecting stones that have dropped into the urinary canal. While X-rays can reveal certain calcium stones, they do not provide clear details about the stone's anatomy. In modern medicine, the gold standard for diagnosis is a non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scan. A CT scan flawlessly reveals the stone's exact location, millimetric size, density, and relationship with surrounding tissues, allowing the medical team to make an informed surgical decision.

Kidney Stone Treatment Methods

Kidney stone treatment is highly personalized, taking into account the patient's age, overall health, and the stone's size, hardness, and location. Urology Specialist Op. Dr. Abubekir Böyük notes that whether a patient is taking blood thinners is also a critical factor in planning the treatment. For stones that are too large to pass on their own, modern treatment options include:

• ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy): Generally preferred for stones smaller than 2 cm. Shock waves sent from outside the body break the stones down into a sand-like consistency. It requires no anesthesia or surgical incisions. However, it is not suitable for pregnant women or patients on blood thinners.
• URS (Ureteroscopy - Minimally Invasive Kidney Stone Surgery): Used for stones that have dropped into the urinary canal or are located inside the kidney (Flexible URS). The surgeon enters the urinary tract using very thin, camera-equipped endoscopic instruments to break the stone with a laser or remove it whole. No incisions are made on the body, making the recovery time very short.
• PNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy): Applied for stones larger than 2 cm or those too hard to be broken by ESWL or URS. A small incision of about 1 to 1.5 cm is made in the patient's back to place a tube directly into the kidney. Using camera-guided instruments (nephroscope), the stones are fragmented with laser or pneumatic lithotripters and extracted.

Ways to Prevent Kidney Stones in Summer

The golden rule for preventing kidney stones in summer is properly compensating for increased fluid loss. Unless you have chronic heart or kidney failure that requires fluid restriction, you should aim to drink at least 2.5 to 3 litres of clean drinking water daily during the summer. Having pale yellow or nearly clear urine is the most practical indicator that you are well-hydrated.

Dietary habits also play a massive role in prevention. By following the art of balance in summer fruit consumption, it is important to enjoy oxalate-rich fruits like strawberries and fresh figs in moderation. You should avoid adding extra salt to your meals and limit your intake of processed meats and excessive animal protein. Natural drinks containing citrate, such as homemade lemonade, can help prevent crystallization and keep stones at bay.

When to See a Doctor?

Any suspicion of a kidney stone requires a medical evaluation. While small stones can often be passed at home with plenty of fluids and painkillers, certain symptoms signal the need for emergency intervention. If you experience one or more of the following warning signs, you should immediately visit a healthcare facility or call 112 for emergency services:

• Unbearable, writhing pain in your side and back
• A high fever of 38°C or above accompanied by chills
• Visible, heavy red bleeding or blood clots in your urine
• An inability to keep fluids down due to severe nausea and continuous vomiting
• A constant urge to urinate but a complete inability to pass urine (anuria)

The Process at BHT CLINIC

When you visit our hospital with kidney stone complaints, your diagnostic and treatment processes are meticulously managed by the expert physicians in our Urology department. In emergencies like severe kidney pain (renal colic), our 24/7 emergency department provides the first intervention to control your pain and rapidly schedules the necessary radiological tests.

During outpatient clinic visits, Urology Specialist Op. Dr. Abubekir Böyük and our experienced team conduct a detailed examination using the latest technological infrastructure. The most suitable treatment option is determined based on the size and location of your stone, and you are provided with transparent information about the process. To plan your treatment or get detailed information, you can easily complete your transaction on our appointment page or contact us via our call centre.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you pass a kidney stone?

Small kidney stones (typically under 5 mm) can pass spontaneously through the urinary tract with the help of high water intake, an active lifestyle, and muscle relaxants prescribed by your doctor. During this process, symptoms are managed with painkillers.

How long does minimally invasive kidney stone surgery take?

Minimally invasive kidney stone surgery (URS or Flexible URS) usually takes between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours, depending on the stone's size, hardness, and location. Patients are mostly discharged on the same day or after a one-night hospital stay.

What is good for kidney stone pain?

To relieve kidney stone pain at home, applying a hot water bottle to the aching area and taking a warm shower can help relax the muscles and provide comfort. However, for a definitive solution, it is essential to use the appropriate painkillers prescribed by your doctor.

Do kidney stones recur?

Yes, kidney stone disease has a high tendency to recur. If lifestyle and dietary habits are not changed, about half of the patients who have passed their first stone or had surgery will develop new stones within 5 to 10 years.

Does drinking beer help pass a kidney stone?

Although there is a common belief that drinking beer helps pass kidney stones, this is medically incorrect. While alcohol may increase urine output, it causes fluid loss (dehydration) in the body, which can actually increase the risk of stone formation in the long run. The healthiest source of hydration is clean drinking water.

This article is for informational purposes only; please consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.