Kidney stones can cause pain ranging from moderate to severe, but fortunately rarely cause complications or permanent damage. Although uncomfortable, most kidney stones are so small that they can be removed without requiring medical treatment. Drink plenty of water, relieve pain with medication, and if your doctor recommends taking medication to relax the urinary tract. To reduce the risk of developing kidney stones later in life, limit salt intake, eat low-fat foods, and make dietary changes as directed by your doctor.
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Method 1 of 3: Removing Small Kidney Stones
Step 1. Go to the doctor if you suspect you have kidney stones
Some of the symptoms of kidney stones include sharp pain in the side of the body, groin, back, or lower abdomen, and pain when urinating, cloudy urine, and being unable to urinate. Go to the doctor for an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment plan.
The doctor will diagnose the presence of kidney stones with blood and urine tests, x-rays, and ultrasound. With tests and scans, your doctor will know what type of stone you have, the size of the stone, and whether it will pass on its own
Step 2. Drink 1,400-1,900 ml of water every day
Water will rinse the kidneys and help remove stones. To monitor fluid intake, you can check your urine. If your urine is pale yellow, it means you have been drinking enough water. If it is dark in color, you are already dehydrated.
- By consuming adequate amounts of fluids, you can prevent the formation of kidney stones in the future. So, drinking lots of water every day is very important.
- Water is the best liquid, but you can also drink ginger ale and some types of 100% fruit juice in moderation. Do not drink cranberry and grapefruit juice (large types of oranges) because they can increase the risk of developing kidney stones.
- Avoid or limit caffeine consumption as it can lead to dehydration. Do not drink more than one cup or 240 ml of coffee, cola or caffeinated tea a day.
Step 3. Take pain relievers as needed or as directed by your doctor
Although most kidney stones can go away without medical treatment, the process of removing them can be painful. To manage pain, take over-the-counter pain relievers (such as aspirin or ibuprofen). Check the packaging, and use the medication as directed.
- If over-the-counter pain relievers don't work, ask your doctor to prescribe medication. If necessary, the doctor will prescribe a strong pain reliever (such as ibuprofen). In certain cases, the doctor may prescribe narcotic pain relievers.
- Always follow your doctor's instructions when you take any prescription medication.
Step 4. Consult a doctor to get an alpha-blocker
Alpha-blockers can relax the muscles in the urinary tract so that kidney stones can be passed easily. This medication can be obtained by prescription and usually must be taken after meals at the same time each day.
Side effects that can appear include dizziness, weakness, lightheadedness, diarrhea, and fainting. If you get out of bed or stand up, do so slowly to prevent fainting and lightheadedness. Tell your doctor if the side effects don't go away or get worse
Step 5. Take your kidney stones if your doctor recommends
To take the stone, the doctor will ask you to collect the urine into a cup, then filter it. A kidney stone sample is needed if your doctor diagnoses that you have a urine blockage, or if the type or cause of kidney stones is unknown.
- Treatment of kidney stones in the long term will vary depending on the type and cause. To design an effective treatment, the doctor must test the sample that has been collected.
- If necessary, the doctor will give you the tools you need and tell you how to collect and screen the stone sample.
Step 6. Allow the kidney stone to pass on its own for at least a few weeks
The process of removing small stones can take anywhere from a few days to several months. During this time, continue to take the medication as directed by your doctor. Keep yourself hydrated, do everything you can to manage pain, and follow the diet plan recommended by your doctor.
Waiting for a small kidney stone to pass can be frustrating, but you have to be patient. Although kidney stones usually pass on their own, sometimes you need medical intervention to remove them. While waiting for a kidney stone to pass, go to the doctor if your symptoms get worse, such as excruciating pain, inability to urinate, or blood in the urine
Method 2 of 3: Getting Medical Treatment for Kidney Stones
Step 1. Go to the doctor as soon as possible if you experience serious symptoms
Some of the more serious symptoms include blood in the urine, fever or chills, changes in skin color, severe pain in the back or sides of the body, vomiting, or a burning sensation when urinating. Call your doctor if these symptoms appear and you are waiting for a small stone to pass.
- If you haven't seen a doctor or haven't been diagnosed with kidney stones, seek medical help if these symptoms appear.
- The doctor will perform an ultrasound (USG) or X-ray to look for kidney stones. If the doctor thinks the stone is too large to pass on its own, he or she will suggest the appropriate treatment method based on the size and location of the kidney stone.
Step 2. Take medication to stop the growth and formation of stones
Your doctor may prescribe medication that can break down and clear the substance that causes the stone to form. For example, your doctor may prescribe potassium citrate to treat calcium stones (the most common type of kidney stone). In uric acid stones, the drug allopurinol will be given to reduce uric acid levels in the body.
Side effects will vary and usually include abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and drowsiness. Tell your doctor if the side effects don't go away or get worse
Step 3. Consult a doctor to treat the underlying cause, if necessary
Some things that can cause kidney stones to form include indigestion, kidney disease, obesity, gout, and certain medications. To reduce the risk of kidney stones in the future, you should consult with your doctor to find out how to treat the underlying condition, as well as change your diet or change medications.
For struvite stones (which occur due to infection), your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Always follow directions when you are taking any medication, and do not stop taking it before consulting your doctor
Step 4. Use shockwave therapy to break up large stones
Shock wave therapy or lithotripsy is used to treat large stones in the kidneys or upper urinary tract. A device will send high-pressure sound waves into the body to break up large stones into smaller pieces. Furthermore, these small pieces of stone can be removed when you urinate.
- During this procedure, you will be given medication to relax or fall asleep. The procedure takes about 1 hour, with 2 hours of recovery. Usually, you can go home the same day you have the procedure.
- Rest for 1-2 days before you go about your usual activities. Pieces of kidney stones can take 4-8 weeks to pass. During this time, you may have back or side pain, nausea, or see some blood in your urine.
Step 5. Have a cystoscopy to treat large stones in the lower urinary tract
The lower urinary tract includes the area of the bladder and urethra, or the tube that carries urine out of the body. A special thin tool will be inserted to find and remove large stones in this area.
- Your doctor may also suggest a similar procedure called ureteroscopy to remove stones in the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder. If the kidney stone cannot be removed because it is too large, the doctor will use a laser to break it into small pieces that can be removed when you urinate.
- Cystoscopy and ureteroscopy are usually performed under general anesthesia so that you will fall asleep during the procedure. Most patients can go home the same day they undergo this procedure.
- During the first 24 hours after the procedure, you may experience a burning sensation when you urinate and may notice a small amount of blood in your urine. Tell your doctor if these symptoms persist for more than one day.
Step 6. Consult a doctor for surgery if other methods don't work
Surgery is rarely used to treat kidney stones, but may be needed if other options are ineffective or unavailable. A tube will be inserted into the kidney through a small incision in the back. Next, kidney stones will be removed or crushed using a laser.
Some patients have to spend a minimum of 2-3 days in the hospital after undergoing a nephrolithotomy (the technical term for a surgical procedure). Your doctor will give you instructions on how to rest, change bandages, and treat the incision after the procedure is complete
Method 3 of 3: Preventing Kidney Stones
Step 1. Talk to your doctor about steps to prevent certain types of stones from forming
Your doctor will advise you to change your diet for the particular type of stone you have. Some adjustments such as limiting sodium intake, eating low-fat foods, and maintaining adequate fluids in the body do apply to all types of stones. However, certain types of food can cause certain kidney stones to form.
- For example, if you have uric acid stones, don't eat herring, anchovies, sardines, offal (such as liver), asparagus, mushrooms, and spinach.
- If you have calcium stones, avoid vitamin D and calcium supplements, limit your intake of calcium-rich foods to a maximum of 2-3 servings a day, and avoid calcium-containing antacids.
- Remember, people who have had kidney stones have a higher risk of having them again in the future. Kidney stones can reappear 5-10 years later in about 50% of people who have had them. However, this risk can be reduced by taking preventive measures.
Step 2. Try not to consume more than 1,500 mg of salt in a day
Although the maximum recommended sodium intake for adults is 2,300 mg, your doctor may advise you not to take more than 1,500 mg daily. Do not add salt to food, and limit the amount of salt used for cooking.
- Instead of salt, season foods with dried or fresh herbs, orange juice, and zest (the outermost layer of orange peel).
- Cook your own food instead of going to a restaurant. When you eat out, you won't be able to control the amount of salt in your food.
- Avoid deli meats (cooked sliced meat), processed meats, and marinated meats. In addition, you should also avoid salty snacks (such as chips).
Step 3. Add lemon to your drink, especially if you have calcium stones
Squeeze a lemon into water or drink a glass of low-sugar lemonade daily. Lemons can help break down calcium stones and prevent them from forming.
- Lemons can also help reduce the risk of uric acid stones.
- Don't drink lemonade or lemon products that are high in sugar.
Step 4. Eat lean protein in moderation
You can eat animal products in moderation, as long as they are low in fat (eg eggs and white meat from poultry). To lower your risk of developing any type of kidney stone, avoid fatty red meats and eat protein from plant sources, such as peas, lentils, and beans.
If you are prone to uric acid stones, don't eat more than 90 grams of meat at each meal. To control uric acid stones, your doctor may ask you not to eat all protein of animal origin, including eggs and poultry
Step 5. Include calcium-rich foods in your diet, but don't take supplements
Some people who suffer from calcium stones think that they should not consume calcium at all. You still need calcium to keep your bones healthy. So, you can consume 2-3 servings of cheese, milk, or yogurt every day.
Don't take calcium, vitamin C, or vitamin D in supplement form, and avoid antacids that contain calcium
Step 6. Exercise regularly, but drink more water to stay hydrated
Try to exercise for 30 minutes every day. Regular physical activity is important for maintaining overall health. Brisk walking and cycling are ideal types of exercise, especially if you are not used to exercising.
