Dehydration is a major contributor to kidney stones during hot weather. High temperatures cause the body to sweat more to maintain a stable body temperature. Without adequate water intake, the body quickly becomes dehydrated, directly affecting the kidneys' blood filtering process and reducing daily urine volume. Doctor Phan Huynh Tien Dat, from the Department of Urology at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, explains that dehydration concentrates urine, creating an ideal environment for kidney stones to form. Minerals like calcium, oxalate, and phosphate exceed their solubility threshold in concentrated urine, crystallize, and form stones.

Doctor Dat consults with a patient. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Doctor Dat consults with a patient. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

A diet rich in animal protein, fast food, and processed foods, often consumed during holidays and travels, also increases the risk of kidney stones. Similarly, a high salt intake increases sodium levels in the body, leading to increased calcium excretion in urine, which promotes calcium stone formation. Carbonated drinks, especially those containing phosphoric acid, can increase phosphate and fructose levels, raising the risk of uric acid stones.

To prevent kidney stones during hot weather, Doctor Dat recommends drinking at least 2 liters of water daily to dilute urine and effectively dissolve and eliminate mineral crystals. People engaged in strenuous physical activity or working in hot conditions may need to drink even more. A healthy diet low in animal protein, salt, and oxalate-rich foods is also essential. Consuming plenty of green vegetables and citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, rich in citrate, can help prevent mineral crystallization in urine.

Regular exercise helps by transferring excess calcium to the bones, preventing it from combining with oxalate to form calcium oxalate kidney stones. However, because exercise in hot weather leads to faster dehydration, increased water intake is crucial. Avoiding holding urine and emptying the bladder as soon as needed can prevent sediment buildup. Limiting alcohol, tobacco, carbonated drinks, and stimulants is also advisable.

Ha Thanh