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Kidney stones are more common in summer, when it is very hot. To avoid any risk of renal colic, here is the advice of Dr Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of Doctissimo.
Composed of mineral salts, kidney stones are small aggregates of calcium oxalate, most often, which form in the kidneys. In general, they are eliminated by natural means. But in some cases, when they are too big – from a few millimeters to several centimeters sometimes – they become blocked in the urinary tract and then cause an attack of renal colic, which is extremely painful.
Kidney stones, more common in summer
To avoid experiencing these pains, it is therefore important to drink enough every day, at least a liter and a half of water, or even more in case of extreme heat, for example. It is by drinking well that the mineral salts will not crystallize, which will prevent the formation of stones.
“What is important in case of high heat is to drink well, without waiting to be thirsty” confirms Dr Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor and medical director of Doctissimo. “The risk of kidney stones increases with the heat due to dehydration of the body and the reduced production of urine. It is therefore necessary to compensate for this by substantial water intake”.
What other tips to adopt?
Other tips that can be cited include:
- Add lemon juice to your drinking water, because the citric acid contained in the fruit helps block calcification;
- In his dishes, reduce salt, which on the contrary favors the appearance of kidney stones;
- Eating foods rich in calcium, such as dairy products, broccoli, kale, tofu… Indeed, calcium promotes the elimination of calcium oxalate via the stool;
- On the contrary, avoid foods rich in calcium oxalate, such as spinach, wheat germ, rhubarb or beets, for example.
In case of stone stuck in the urinary tract, you will experience different symptoms including:
- Severe pain in the lower back;
- Nausea ;
- Vomitings ;
- Fever and chills;
- Bloody urine.
Sometimes, some patients have no symptoms, especially if the stones are small. In the event of a crisis, it is important to consult a doctor quickly, both to relieve pain but also to provide appropriate treatment, which can be surgery in some cases.
Finally, be aware that when you have had an attack of renal colic once in your life, there is a 50% risk of having a second in the ten years that follow.