Every fall, visits to emergency rooms for severe kidney pain start to rise again. Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and Medical Director of True Medical, warns: “Lack of hydration promotes the formation of kidney stones, the main cause of renal colic. In autumn, we often drink less, which increases the concentration of urine and facilitates the appearance of attacks, even outside of hot periods.“. According to him, this seasonal trend is well known in hospitals, where many patients arrive with intense pain typical of renal colic.
The mechanism and main causes
For the doctor, everything starts from a mechanical phenomenon: “Renal colic is almost always caused by a kidney stone that abruptly blocks the flow of urine, causing intense pain“. He specifies that this pain is among the strongest known in emergency medicine. The problem often occurs in people who do not hydrate sufficiently: “The risk is increased when urine is concentrated, therefore in the event of insufficient fluid intake (drinking too little), during travel, sedentary lifestyle or in the cold season when one feels less thirst.“.
But lack of water is not the only culprit. Dr. Kierzek emphasizes the role of lifestyle and diet: “Dietary factors (excess animal proteins, salt), certain medications and diseases, but also obesity and hypertension, increase the risk of stones“. In other words, daily habits can turn a healthy kidney into a breeding ground for attacks.
Why do they explode in autumn?
If cases explode at the end of summer, it is because our reflexes change without us realizing it. The doctor explains it simply: “With the onset of cold weather, the feeling of thirst decreases: most people drink less, which increases urinary concentration.“.
But that’s not all. In homes and offices, heating accentuates the phenomenon. “Dry, heated air also promotes insidious dehydration“According to Dr. Kierzek, it is this combination of cold outside, dry air inside and less sensation of thirst that creates an ideal breeding ground for renal colic.”This phenomenon partially explains the occurrence of renal colic in the fall, outside periods of heat or intense exercise.“.
Dr. Kierzek’s advice for preventing renal colic
The doctor insists on a simple principle: never wait until you are thirsty to drink. “Maintain good hydration throughout the year, by drinking regularly even without feeling thirsty (water with each meal and between)“.
He also recommends adjusting your diet: “Limit the consumption of salt, animal proteins and sodas“. Finally, a simple gesture allows you to check that the kidneys are functioning correctly: “Monitor your urine: it must remain clear and frequent, especially in autumn and winter“.
These actions may seem trivial, but they represent a real prevention against often unbearable pain, recalls the emergency doctor.