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On Monday, medical experts reported a concerning increase in urinary tract infections (UTIs) and kidney stones among adults, attributing the rise to the sweltering heat conditions.
Kidney stones, small and hard deposits of mineral and acid salts, tend to form when urine becomes concentrated. This concentration is often a result of inadequate hydration, a common issue during hot weather.
“Urinary stone problems are likely to increase in summer. This problem occurs when the amount of water in the body decreases due to heat. Every day, 2-3 patients come for treatment with complaints of abdominal pain,” Dr. Pawan Rahangdale, a urologist at Apollo Spectra in Pune, told IANS.
Staying hydrated by drinking enough water is crucial to preventing the condition. “One should drink water at regular intervals during hot weather, and urine color should be like clear water. Yellow urine indicates dehydration,” Dr. Rahangdale added.
The doctor emphasized that fluid losses due to constant sweating must be compensated by adequate hydration to prevent the kidneys from producing concentrated urine, which can lead to stone formation. “If left untreated, people with urinary stones can encounter renal infection or kidney damage,” he warned.
Doctors have outlined common symptoms associated with urinary stones, including severe pain in the back or abdomen, nausea, blood in the urine, and urgency in passing urine. Dr. Ravinder Hodarkar, a urologist at Zynova Shalby Hospital, noted that stones can vary in size, sometimes reaching several centimeters.
“Some stones dissolve on their own without any treatment, while the bigger ones may require surgical procedures. Summer is synonymous with urinary stones,” Dr. Hodarkar explained.
To mitigate the risk of stone formation, experts recommend a diet low in oxalate-rich foods such as spinach, sweet potatoes, beet, and almonds. Lifestyle modifications, along with proper hydration, are key preventive measures.
As the heatwave continues, doctors urge the public to stay vigilant about their hydration levels to avoid the painful and potentially serious consequences of kidney stones.
