Kidney Stones in South Florida: Why the Heat Raises Your Risk and How to Prevent Them

Quick answer: Kidney stones form when minerals in concentrated urine crystallize. South Florida's heat and humidity make you lose fluid through sweat, which concentrates your urine and raises your risk, especially in summer. The Southeast is often called the "stone belt" for this reason. The most effective prevention is drinking enough fluid to make at least 2.5 liters of urine a day. Go to the emergency room for stone pain with fever, chills, or vomiting you can't control.

Why does heat cause kidney stones?

When you sweat more, your kidneys hold on to water and your urine becomes more concentrated. Calcium, oxalate, and uric acid are more likely to form crystals in concentrated urine, and crystals grow into stones. Studies of US stone patterns have found that emergency visits for kidney stones rise in the days after hot temperatures.

What are the symptoms of a kidney stone?

• Sharp pain in the side or back, below the ribs, that comes in waves
• Pain that moves toward the lower abdomen or groin
• Blood in the urine, which may look pink, red, or brown
• Nausea and vomiting
• Urgency and frequent urination when the stone nears the bladder

Some stones cause no symptoms and are found on imaging done for something else.

When is a kidney stone an emergency?

Go to the emergency room if you have stone pain with fever or chills. A stone blocking an infected kidney can lead to a serious, fast-moving infection that needs urgent drainage. Also seek care for pain you can't control, vomiting that prevents you from keeping fluids down, or a single kidney.

Will my stone pass on its own?

Size matters most. Stones under 5 mm usually pass on their own, often within a few weeks. Larger stones are less likely to pass. Medications that relax the ureter can help some stones pass. Stones that don't pass, cause infection, or block the kidney need a procedure. Read Kidney Stone Treatment Options.

How can I prevent kidney stones?

• Drink enough. The American Urological Association recommends enough fluid to produce at least 2.5 liters of urine a day. Your urine should be pale yellow. In South Florida summers, that often means more water than you think, especially if you work or exercise outside.
• Cut back on salt. Sodium increases calcium in the urine.
• Don't cut out calcium. Normal dietary calcium binds oxalate in the gut and can lower stone risk.
• Limit animal protein like red meat and shellfish.
• Watch high-oxalate foods if your stones are calcium oxalate.

See The Kidney Stone Diet for more.

Should I get tested if I've had a stone?

If you've had more than one stone, or you're at high risk, a urologist can analyze your stone and order a 24-hour urine test. The results show why you're forming stones and guide targeted prevention, sometimes including medication.