Young and seemingly healthy, Tina Brock experienced a sudden onset of excruciating pain due to kidney stones, a condition that affects a significant portion of the population. Now 58 years old, Brock recalls the debilitating discomfort that struck her at the age of 24, leaving her feeling nauseous and desperate for relief. “Doctors will sometimes say kidney stones rarely kill you – they just make you want to die because you want the pain to go away,” she stated. Her experience sheds light on a growing health concern as Australia prepares for a hotter-than-normal summer.
As temperatures rise, the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand is urging the public to prioritize hydration. The risk of developing kidney stones is expected to increase, particularly as cases tend to spike in December when hot weather sets in. Locations such as the Northern Territory and Queensland have historically reported the highest rates of kidney stones, affecting up to 10 percent of the population.
The condition often presents in a manner that confuses patients, leading them to believe they are experiencing severe health emergencies such as appendicitis or cardiac pain. Urologist Gregory Jack describes the pain associated with kidney stones as “100 out of 10,” highlighting its sudden and severe nature. Even small stones can cause extreme discomfort, leading many individuals to seek immediate medical attention.
Kidney stones form when minerals and salts in urine crystallize and grow, a process that can span years. Symptoms often remain absent until the stone moves from the kidney into the urinary tract, triggering intense pain. Key factors contributing to the development of kidney stones include dehydration, high salt intake, and lifestyle choices. Hot and humid weather conditions amplify these risks, alongside obesity, diabetes, and genetic predisposition.
Experts emphasize the importance of staying hydrated during the summer months. Kidney stones can take anywhere from days to months to pass. While smaller stones may exit the body naturally, larger stones often necessitate medical intervention, including endoscopic surgery or non-invasive ultrasound treatments to break them apart.
Though some individuals advocate for home remedies, such as consuming lemon drinks to facilitate stone passage, Dr. Jack notes that the effectiveness of such methods is difficult to verify. “Everyone’s got their anecdotes, but 80 percent of these stones will pass on their own,” he explained.
As the summer season approaches, awareness of kidney stones and their symptoms is crucial. With the potential for increased cases, proactive measures such as maintaining hydration and recognizing early signs of distress can significantly impact health outcomes.
