Summer heat raises kidney stone risk by 30% in France

Emergency departments in France see a seasonal surge of about 30 % in kidney‑stone colic cases during the summer months. Higher temperatures increase sweating, reduce urine volume and concentrate calcium‑oxalate salts, creating a favorable environment for stone formation. A meta‑analysis in *Kidney Medicine* found that each 1 °C rise in daily mean temperature lifts the risk of a stone episode by roughly 2.4 %. Epidemiologists have even dubbed the humid southeastern United States a “stone belt” for the same reason.

People most at risk include men aged 35‑45, as well as individuals with diabetes, obesity or metabolic‑syndrome. Lifestyle factors such as excess salt, high‑protein barbecues and sugary drinks further exacerbate the problem. Preventive advice emphasises adequate hydration and moderation of these dietary triggers. Researchers predict a global increase in lithiasis cases by 2050 as heatwaves become more frequent.