Urinary stones, which send patients to emergency rooms in excruciating pain, are small stone-like deposits that form in the kidneys and ureters. The pain they cause has been compared to the agony of childbirth. Once they form, they have a high recurrence rate and cause significant disruption to daily life, but they are largely preventable through improved lifestyle habits.
According to 2023 monthly treatment statistics from the National Health Insurance Service and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of patients treated for urinary stones is affected by the seasons and concentrated in summer. August recorded the highest number of the year at 48,232 patients, followed by July with 44,407 and June with 44,142.
Considering that the average monthly number of patients in a typical year is around 35,000, the figures show a sharp increase during summer. By contrast, in winter, January recorded 40,541 patients and December 41,103 — lower than in summer but still above average. This seasonal variation occurs because water loss through sweat concentrates urine, making stones more likely to form.
The medical community classifies stones as a "typical lifestyle disease." To prevent them, water intake is most important above all. When water is insufficient, urine volume decreases and waste products become concentrated, allowing small crystals to clump together and form stones more easily.
Experts go so far as to stress that "half of all stones can be prevented with water." Drinking at least 2 liters of water a day is the basic rule, and a glass of water should be replenished immediately after exercise or using a sauna.
Along with water intake, improving eating habits is also essential. Citric acid, which is abundant in sour fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, tangerines and plums, acts as a natural protective barrier that inhibits stone formation.
On the other hand, foods high in oxalate should be limited. Blanching leafy vegetables such as spinach and chard can reduce oxalate by 30 to 50 percent, making it effective for prevention. Excessive intake of salt and protein also raises the risk of stones, so a balanced diet is necessary.
Experts emphasize that "70 percent of stones can be prevented if preventive measures are followed." For foods such as beets, almonds and sweet potatoes, the cooking method and accompanying foods matter, so individually tailored dietary management can help. Because stones have a high recurrence rate once they form, preventing them from the start is the wisest approach.
