Summer is kidney stone season
June 12, 2025—Summertime is the season for vacations, fun outings, being active—and, according to the American Urological Association, getting kidney stones.
There's a simple reason: In hot weather, you sweat more. That can result in less urine production, especially if you aren't increasing your fluid intake. If you regularly get dehydrated, your urine becomes more concentrated, and kidney stones are more likely to form.
Kidney stone facts
Kidney stones are very common. About 1 million people in the U.S. are affected by them each year. And while they are more prevalent in the summer, they can form at any time. Men are slightly more likely to get kidney stones than women; children can get them too.
These tiny rocks form silently, says the American Medical Association (AMA). They can exist for years in your kidneys without your realizing it.
When they start to move out of the kidney toward the bladder, however, they can cause excruciating pain, nausea and vomiting.
Different types of kidney stones form from different substances. For example, many stones are formed from calcium oxalate. Others are made of uric acid.
Preventing kidney stones
The No. 1 way to avoid getting stones in the first place is to drink plenty of fluids all year long. That's especially important in the summer, when you tend to sweat a lot.
But heads up: Your choice of beverage could affect your risk for kidney stones. According to the AMA and AARP:
- Water is the best option. For added effectiveness, add a splash of lemon or lime juice. These juices contain citrate, which can help keep stones from forming.
- Iced tea, soy milk and almond milk contain oxalate, which can raise your risk for kidney stones.
- Dark-colored colas can raise your risk too. That's because of the phosphoric acid they contain.
Diet choices can also affect your kidney stone risk. Different foods are linked to different types of stones. If you've had a kidney stone in the past, ask your doctor for individualized advice on how to reduce your risk of a repeat.
In general, try these tips from AARP and the National Kidney Foundation (NKF):
- Cut back on highly processed foods, which contain a lot of salt and sugar.
- Get your calcium from dairy foods rather than supplements. But make sure you get enough—a low-calcium diet can raise your risk of kidney stones, warns the NKF.
- Reduce your meat intake.
- Be wary of foods that are high in oxalates, including sweet potatoes, leafy greens, rhubarb, beets and chocolate.
- When you do choose oxalate-rich foods, pair them with a good source of calcium. Consuming both at the same time can make stones less likely.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. That can make your urine more alkaline—so stones can't form as easily.
Not sure if you're drinking enough?
Check the color of your urine. It should be clear and pale. If it's yellow, orange or brown, drink more water.
Sources
- AARP. "What to Eat to Prevent Kidney Stones—and What to Avoid." https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/foods-prevent-kidney-stones.
- American Medical Association. "What Doctors Wish Patients Knew About Kidney Stones." https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/what-doctors-wish-patients-knew-about-kidney-stones.
- American Urological Association. "As the Summer Heat Increases, So Does the Chance of Getting a Kidney Stone." https://www.auanet.org/about-us/media-center/press-center/as-the-summer-heat-increases-so-does-your-chance-of-getting-a-kidney-stone.
- National Kidney Foundation. "Six Easy Ways to Prevent Kidney Stones." https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/six-easy-ways-to-prevent-kidney-stones.