Summer Heat, Diet Increase Risk of Kidney and Gallstones in South Korea

The intense summer heat and accompanying lifestyle shifts are significantly raising the risk of developing kidney and gallstones, according to medical experts. As temperatures soar, increased sweating leads to dehydration, while vacation habits often involve indulging in rich foods, alcohol, and late-night meals, creating a perfect storm for stone formation.

Urolithiasis, or kidney stones, is a common summer ailment. Data from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service shows a notable increase in patient numbers during July compared to June. Dr. Lee Sang-hyub, a urologist at Kyung Hee University Hospital, explains that insufficient fluid intake during hot weather causes urine to become concentrated. This concentration allows minerals like calcium and oxalate to clump together, forming stones.

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With increased sweat excretion due to the heatwave, if fluid intake is insufficient, urine volume decreases and becomes concentrated. At this time, components like calcium and oxalate in the urine are not properly discharged and clump together, increasing the possibility of stone formation.

Kidney stones are known for their excruciating pain, often described as stabbing sensations in the flank that come and go. Hematuria (blood in the urine) can occur as stones move through the urinary tract, and severe pain may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Dr. Lee emphasizes the importance of prevention, recommending daily intake of over 2 liters of water to maintain adequate urine output. He also advises limiting salty foods and meat consumption, and moderating coffee and alcohol intake due to their diuretic effects.

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Kidney stones often recur once they occur, so prevention is paramount. Drinking plenty of water, more than 2 liters a day, to increase urine output, and reducing intake of salty foods and meat is helpful.

Gallstones, another prevalent condition, are also on the rise, partly due to Westernized diets and increasing obesity rates. The number of gallstone patients in South Korea has more than doubled in the past decade. Summer's social gatherings and vacation eating patterns, characterized by frequent late-night meals of fried chicken or pork belly and alcohol consumption, further exacerbate the risk.

Dr. Kim Beom-soo, a surgeon specializing in liver, gallbladder, and pancreas at Kyung Hee University Hospital, notes that fatty foods and overeating can increase cholesterol concentration in bile and impair gallbladder function. This can lead to bile stagnation and gallstone formation. Unlike kidney stones, gallstones often present with subtle initial symptoms, sometimes mistaken for indigestion. However, pain typically manifests in the upper abdomen or right side, lasting from 30 minutes to several hours. If a gallstone obstructs the bile duct, it can lead to serious complications like cholecystitis, jaundice, or acute pancreatitis.

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Repeating fatty foods and overeating can increase the cholesterol concentration in bile and also decrease the contraction function of the gallbladder. If this condition persists, bile stays in the gallbladder for a long time, increasing the possibility of gallstone formation.

Preventative measures for gallstones include maintaining regular meal times to prevent bile from accumulating in the gallbladder and reducing intake of high-cholesterol foods. Consistent aerobic exercise to maintain a healthy weight is also crucial. Experts universally agree that the combination of dehydration and dietary changes during summer heightens the risk for both conditions. They urge individuals experiencing persistent flank or upper abdominal pain, especially when accompanied by hematuria, fever, or jaundice, to seek prompt medical evaluation rather than dismissing symptoms as mere indigestion or muscle strain.

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To prevent gallstones, regular eating habits are most important. Eating three meals at regular times helps reduce gallstone formation by preventing bile from stagnating in the gallbladder for a long time.