05 Sep Why Charleston Summers Cause Kidney Stones, and How Fast You Can Get Treated
Charleston summers bring plenty of sunshine, heat, and humidity. They can also bring something far less welcome: a higher risk of kidney stones.
South Carolina is part of the region often called the “Kidney Stone Belt,” where kidney stone disease is more common than in many cooler parts of the country. Research examining nearly 190,000 kidney stone presentations in South Carolina found that stone-related visits were most frequent during the summer, and moist heat conditions that combine temperature and humidity were particularly predictive of stone presentations.
For people living in or visiting Charleston and the surrounding Lowcountry, the combination of high temperatures, humidity, outdoor activity, and sweating can create the perfect conditions for concentrated urine and stone formation.
Why Does Charleston Heat Increase Kidney Stone Risk?
Kidney stones form when certain substances in the urine, including calcium, oxalate, and uric acid, become concentrated enough to crystallize. One of the most important factors affecting this concentration is how much urine your body produces.
When you sweat heavily but do not replace the fluid you lose, your body has less water available to make urine. Your urine becomes more concentrated, increasing the likelihood that stone-forming minerals will crystallize. Researchers studying South Carolina have found that higher heat exposure is associated with increased kidney stone presentations, with one proposed explanation being greater water loss and more concentrated urine.
Humidity matters, too. A South Carolina study found that wet-bulb temperature, which accounts for both heat and humidity, was a particularly useful predictor of kidney stone presentations during the summer.
That makes Charleston’s hot, humid summer environment especially relevant for people who are already prone to stones.
Why Do Kidney Stone Cases Rise in the Summer?
Kidney stone risk is not determined by weather alone. Diet, family history, certain medical conditions, medications, and previous kidney stones can all play a role.
But summer adds an important environmental factor: fluid loss.
Spending hours outside, exercising, working in the heat, playing sports, or simply sweating more than usual can reduce your urine volume. Drinking less than you need can make that effect even more significant.
South Carolina research has shown a clear seasonal pattern, with the greatest frequency of kidney stone presentations occurring during summer months.
That does not mean everyone who spends a summer day outside will develop a kidney stone. It does mean that staying adequately hydrated becomes particularly important during periods of heat and increased activity.
What Does a Kidney Stone Feel Like?
Kidney stones may cause no symptoms at first. Problems often begin when a stone moves from the kidney into the ureter, the narrow tube that carries urine to the bladder.
Common symptoms include:
- Sharp pain in the back or side
- Pain that spreads toward the lower abdomen or groin
- Pain that comes and goes in waves
- Blood in the urine
- Pain or burning with urination
- Nausea or vomiting
- An increased urge to urinate
These symptoms can overlap with other urinary conditions, so symptoms alone cannot confirm that you have a kidney stone. Diagnostic testing may be needed to determine whether a stone is present, where it is located, and how large it is.
How Fast Should You Get a Kidney Stone Treated?
A kidney stone does not always require immediate removal. Small stones may pass naturally, and a urologist may recommend observation, fluids, pain management, and follow-up depending on the stone’s size and location.
However, larger stones, stones causing significant pain, or stones blocking the urinary tract may require more urgent treatment.
This is why persistent or severe flank pain should not simply be ignored for several days while you wait for symptoms to improve.
At Palmetto Adult and Children’s Urology, extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, or ESWL, is available with 24-hour access. ESWL uses focused shock waves to break certain kidney stones into smaller fragments that can then pass through the urinary tract.
Having 24-hour access to ESWL can make a significant difference when a patient needs stone treatment quickly. Rather than assuming you have to wait days for a routine scheduling window, prompt urologic evaluation can help determine the appropriate next step.
It is important to understand that ESWL is not appropriate for every stone. Treatment depends on factors such as stone size, location, composition, the patient’s overall health, and whether there is an obstruction or infection. A urologist can determine which approach is safest and most effective.
When Is a Kidney Stone an Emergency?
Certain symptoms require immediate medical attention.
Seek urgent medical care if kidney stone symptoms are accompanied by:
- Fever or chills
- Persistent vomiting or dehydration
- Difficulty or inability to urinate
- Severe or worsening pain
- Signs of infection
A blocked urinary tract combined with infection can become a serious medical problem and should not be treated as a simple “wait and see” situation. NIDDK recommends prompt medical evaluation for symptoms such as severe pain or blood in the urine, and larger or obstructing stones may require urgent treatment.
How Can You Lower Your Kidney Stone Risk This Summer?
The most practical summer strategy is to pay attention to hydration before you become thirsty.
Increase your fluid intake when you are sweating heavily, spending extended time outdoors, or exercising in the heat. Your fluid needs can vary based on weather, activity level, and your individual health.
For people with a history of kidney stones, a healthcare professional may also recommend additional strategies based on the type of stone you have formed. A stone analysis and, in some cases, urine testing can help identify factors that increase your risk of future stones.
Remember that drinking more water is a prevention strategy. It is not a substitute for evaluation when you are already experiencing significant symptoms.
Don’t Wait Out Severe Flank Pain
Charleston’s summer heat does not guarantee that you will develop a kidney stone, but it can increase the conditions that contribute to stone formation and stone-related symptoms.
If you develop sudden flank pain, pain that comes in waves, blood in your urine, or other symptoms consistent with a kidney stone, getting evaluated promptly can help determine what is happening and whether treatment is needed.
At Palmetto Adult and Children’s Urology, 24-hour access to extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy provides an important treatment option for appropriate patients who need stone care without unnecessary delays.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kidney Stones and Charleston Summers
Are kidney stones more common during the summer?
Yes. Studies have found that kidney stone presentations increase during hotter periods, and South Carolina research has found the highest frequency of presentations during summer months. Heat-related fluid loss is one likely contributor.
Does humidity really affect kidney stone risk?
Humidity appears to matter because the combination of heat and humidity affects how the body loses water. Research in South Carolina found that wet-bulb temperature, which incorporates both temperature and humidity, was particularly predictive of kidney stone presentations during summer.
How much water should I drink to prevent kidney stones?
There is no single amount that is right for everyone. Fluid needs depend on factors such as your activity level, climate, health, and history of kidney stones. People who sweat heavily in hot weather may need additional fluids to replace what they lose. A urology professional can provide individualized recommendations.
Can a kidney stone go away on its own?
Some smaller stones can pass through the urinary tract without a procedure. Larger stones, stones that cause significant symptoms, or stones that block urine flow may need medical treatment.
What is ESWL?
Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, commonly called ESWL, uses focused shock waves to break certain kidney stones into smaller fragments so they can pass through the urinary tract. It is one of several treatment options available for kidney stones.
How quickly can I get kidney stone treatment at Palmetto Adult and Children’s Urology?
Palmetto Adult and Children’s Urology offers ESWL with 24-hour access. Whether ESWL is appropriate and how quickly treatment should occur depends on your stone’s size, location, symptoms, and other clinical factors.
Should I wait to see if severe kidney stone pain goes away?
Severe or persistent pain should be evaluated rather than simply ignored, particularly if you also have blood in your urine, vomiting, fever, chills, or difficulty urinating. Those symptoms can indicate a more significant problem requiring prompt medical attention.
Experiencing kidney stone symptoms? Contact Palmetto Adult and Children’s Urology for an evaluation and to learn about your treatment options. Don’t let Charleston’s summer heat turn into days of avoidable pain.