The Pain of Kidney Stones and How to Pass Them

If you’ve ever had a kidney stone, you know how excruciating the pain can be. Focusing on what you need to do to get rid of your kidney stones can be a battle in itself, but you’ll probably want some answers about what causes them and how they impact your everyday life. The following blog outlines the basics and addresses commonly asked questions around this painful topic.

Kidney Stones:

Kidney stones are hard and brittle remnants that constitute in the kidneys. They can cause severe pain and discomfort during removal as they pass through the ureters and urinary bladder.

If you have kidney stones, there are several things you can do to help ease the pain and pass them more quickly. Stay hydrated to flush the stones out of your system. While reducing your intake of soda, tea, coffee, and alcohol may help reduce the risk of forming new kidney stones. One can also take over-the-counter pain medication to help with the pain. If pain is well-controlled without interfering with work or activities, no treatment is needed. Your doctor will evaluate you and prescribe stronger medicine if necessary.

Some natural remedies for kidney stones may be useful. One is to drink four ounces of olive oil mixed with four ounces of lemon juice three times a day until the stones have passed. Another is to drink chamomile tea three times a day.

If you have kidney stones, it is important to see your doctor so they can be treated properly.

What induces kidney stones?

Kidney stones form once crystals construct in the kidneys and are horribly painful. This condition is usually influenced by a mixture of factors, including a poor diet and dehydration. Kidney stones can also form as a result of an underlying illness such as gout or cystinuria. Diet plays a role in stone formation by affecting the levels of certain minerals in the body, such as calcium and oxalate. Dehydration can also increase the risk of kidney stones, as it can concentrate the minerals in the urine and promote stone formation. Certain medical conditions, such as gout and renal tubular acidosis, can also increase the risk of kidney stones. Treatment for kidney stones typically involves drinking plenty of fluids to promote urinary output and pain relief. Doctors may prescribe medications that help break down or dissolve stones while some may resort to surgery if they are unable to be dissolved. Some doctors may also discuss surgical procedures with their patients who do not want to live with the pain that stones cause or who wish to prevent them from occurring again.

What are the symptoms of kidney stones?

kidney stones feel like someone is skewering your back and abdomen with a white-hot poker, doesn't it? And that's just what happens when kidney stones are passing through your urinary tract! The symptoms can vary depending on the size and location of the stone, but typically include severe pain in the abdomen, groin, or back; nausea and vomiting; blood in the urine; and difficulty urinating. Kidney stones can get pretty serious fast if left untreated. Untreated kidney and urinary disorders can lead to kidney infection or ultimately irreversibly damage the kidneys because of a buildup of toxins that your body isn't able to flush out.

How do I pass a stone?

Each experience with kidney stones is different, but several signs will tell you if you're experiencing them. However, there are a few things that may help you pass a stone: drinking plenty of fluids, including water, lemonade, and/or cranberry juice; eating a healthy diet with moderate amounts of calcium; taking pain relievers as needed, and using a heating pad on your lower back. If you have been struggling to pass a stone and still can't, it's advisable to see a health professional for further treatment.

When to visit a doctor?

If you have kidney stones, you may find that you can often treat the condition by drinking lots of water and increasing your intake of certain nutrients. However, you may need to check in with the doctor if the stones do not pass on their own.

Some people with kidney stones need to have surgery to remove the stones. If you have kidney stones, your doctor may recommend one of the following treatments:

- Drinking plenty of fluids to help flush out the stones

- Taking pain relievers to help relieve the pain

- Taking meds to aid in the complete collapse of the stones

- Some cases may require surgery for breaking up the stones

Treatment:

Breaking up kidney stones is usually the first step to relieving urinary tract symptoms and complications. The next step, in most cases, is to flush them out through the urinary tract. Kidney stones must be smaller than 5 mm across to pass safely through the ureters and into the toilet.

Conclusion

No one should have to experience the pain of kidney stones. If you are currently dealing with them, remember to stay hydrated and try some of the passing techniques we’ve outlined. And if you want to avoid getting kidney stones in the first place, be sure to limit your intake of salt, sugar, animal protein, and calcium.