Heat And Kidney Stones?

Is There A Relationship Between The Heat And Kidney Stones?

Calcium stones, uric acid stones, struvite stones, and cystine stones are the four different types of kidney stones that we can get. However, most stones are calcium stones being composed of calcium oxalate, but other forms of calcium can be present along with other minerals. A recent study by pediatric urologist Gregory Tasian looked at over 60,000 medical records of patients with kidney stones. He and his team concluded that people were more likely to develop calcium deposits when the average temperature rose over 50 degrees. Three days after a hot day there were more cases of kidney stones. Dr. Tasian and his team concluded that “when you get hot and dehydrated, the concentration of calcium and minerals in your urine goes up, and that can create the stones.”

Less common are uric acid stones. These can be caused by having a diet high in animal protein, and alcoholic beverages. They can also be found in people with gout, low urine output, and inflammatory bowel disease. While struvite stones can be caused by a urinary tract infection that goes up into the kidneys. Women are more often affected by struvite stones. Finally, cystine stones happen in people who produce too much cystine in their urine.

Our diet, hydration status, and overall health contribute greatly to whether or not we get kidney stones. But as this study shows, the higher the temps outside the greater the risk if you are not careful. So remember to stay hydrated, and if you need help on the diet front then please reach out to me.