The pain caused by kidney stones can be moderate or severe, but fortunately it is very rare for this disorder to lead to permanent damage or complications. Although annoying, kidney stones are quite small and are expelled without any medical help. Drink plenty of water, keep pain at bay with analgesics, and if your doctor recommends a drug to relax the smooth muscle of the genitourinary tract, take it. To reduce the risk of kidney stones, limit your salt intake, eat a low-fat diet, and stick to any dietary changes recommended by your doctor.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Eject Small Stones
Step 1. See your doctor if you suspect you have kidney stones
Symptoms include stabbing in the hips, back, groin, or lower abdomen, as well as pain when urinating, cloudy urine, and an inability to empty the bladder. Contact your doctor for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate therapy.
Doctors can diagnose nephrolithiasis using blood and urine tests, ultrasound, and x-rays. These tests can determine the type and size of the stones, but also indicate whether they are small enough to be spontaneously expelled
Step 2. Drink at least 1.5-2 liters of water per day
Water purifies the kidneys by promoting the expulsion of stones. To find out if you are drinking enough, check the color of your urine. If they are clear, you are getting enough fluids. If they are dark, you are dehydrated.
- Hydration helps prevent stones from forming, so drinking plenty of water every day is essential.
- Water is the best drink, but you can also indulge in a ginger beer and some types of 100% fruit juice, without going overboard. However, avoid grapefruit and cranberry juice as they can increase the risk of kidney stones.
- Avoid caffeine or limit your intake as it can promote dehydration. Aim to drink no more than 240ml of coffee, tea, or cola per day.
Step 3. Take a pain reliever as needed or as directed by your doctor
Although kidney stones in most cases go away without medical treatment, their expulsion is always painful. To manage this process, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or aspirin. Read the package insert and take the medicine according to the instructions.
- If it doesn't work, see your doctor. If necessary, he will prescribe a more potent pain reliever (based on ibuprofen) or, in some cases, an opioid pain reliever.
- Take any medication following your doctor's instructions.
Step 4. Ask your doctor if you can take an alpha blocker
Alpha blockers relax the muscles of the urinary tract and can make it easier for kidney stones to come out. They must be prescribed by the doctor and are usually taken every day half an hour after meals at the same time.
Side effects include dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, diarrhea, and fainting. It is advisable to get up slowly from the bed or chair to prevent dizziness and fainting. Tell your doctor if any side effects persist or get worse
Step 5. Try to collect a stone if your doctor recommends it
To get it, try urinating into a container and filtering the sample. This procedure is necessary if you have been diagnosed with a urinary tract obstruction or if the type of stones or the etiopathogenesis is unknown.
- Treatment varies according to the type and etiology of the disorder. In order to develop an effective treatment plan, the physician must evaluate the analyzes obtained from a sample.
- If necessary, your doctor will provide you with the necessary tools and will instruct you on how to collect and filter the sample.
Step 6. Give yourself at least a couple of weeks to expel the stones
It will probably take a few days or months to hunt them. During this time, continue to take the medications prescribed by your doctor. Stay hydrated, do your best to manage pain, and follow the diet recommended by your doctor.
Waiting can be disheartening, but try to be patient. Although stones are usually expelled spontaneously, medical intervention is sometimes required. Get examined if you experience worsening symptoms during this time, such as severe pain, inability to completely empty your bladder, or traces of blood in your urine
Part 2 of 3: Going for Medical Treatment
Step 1. See your doctor immediately if you are sick
Severe symptoms include blood in the urine, fever or chills, change in skin color, severe pain in the back or sides, vomiting or a burning sensation when urinating. If you experience any of these symptoms while waiting to clear a small stone, call your doctor.
- If you have not yet been examined or have not been diagnosed with kidney stones, see your doctor if you notice these symptoms.
- To locate a stone, your doctor will order an ultrasound or x-ray. If he thinks it is too big to be expelled on his own, he will prescribe treatment for you in relation to its size and where it is located.
Step 2. Take medication to prevent stones from forming and growing
Your doctor may prescribe a drug that breaks down and removes the substance that promotes nephrolithiasis. For example, potassium citrate is used to manage the most common stones, namely those composed of calcium. If, on the other hand, they are made up of uric acid, allopurinol helps to decrease the levels of uric acid in the body.
Side effects are varied and can include stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, and sleepiness. Tell your doctor if they are severe or persistent
Step 3. Treat the underlying cause if necessary
Diseases of the digestive system, gout, kidney disease, obesity and some medications can promote the onset of kidney stones. To reduce the risk, consult your doctor to treat the underlying dysfunction, make dietary changes, or change medication.
In case of struvite stones caused by infections, an antibiotic is usually taken. Take it following the directions in the package insert and do not stop taking it without your doctor's advice
Step 4. Break up larger stones with shock wave therapy
Lithotripsy, or shock wave therapy, is used to treat large stones located in the kidneys or upper urinary tract. A device sends high-pressure sound waves that pass through the body, shattering larger stones into smaller pieces. Later, the latter are expelled during urination.
- You will be prescribed medications to help you relax or sedate during the procedure. It will last about an hour and is followed by a recovery phase of almost 2 hours. Most patients go home the same day.
- Rest for 1 to 2 days before resuming your daily activities. It will probably take 4-8 weeks to clear the stone fragments. During this time, you may experience pain in your back or side, feel nauseous, or notice faint traces of blood in your urine.
Step 5. Get cystoscopy if there are large stones in the lower urinary tract
The lower urinary tract includes the bladder and urethra, which is the channel that allows urine to flow out. A special thin device is used to locate and remove larger stones in these areas.
- To remove stones in the channels that connect the kidneys to the bladder, your doctor may recommend a similar procedure called a ureteroscopy. If the stone is too large to remove, a laser is used to break it into pieces small enough to be expelled during urination.
- Cystoscopy and ureteroscopy are done under general anesthesia, so you will be sedated during the procedure. Most patients go home the same day.
- During the first 24 hours you may feel a burning sensation when urinating and notice faint traces of blood in your urine. Tell your doctor if these symptoms last longer than a day.
Step 6. Find out about the possibility of surgery if other methods are not effective
A kidney stone removal operation is rarely done, but it may be necessary if other treatment options are not feasible or effective. In other words, a small incision is made in the back to insert a tube into the kidney. After that the stones are removed or crushed with a laser.
Some patients stay at least 2 or 3 days in the hospital after a nephrolithotomy (which is the technical name for this surgical procedure). Your doctor will explain how to change the dressing, care for the incision site, and rest for the next few days
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Kidney Stones
Step 1. Learn about the prevention of stones based on their type
Your doctor will advise you to make dietary changes depending on the type of stones you are suffering from. In general, it is necessary to limit sodium intake, follow a low-fat diet and stay hydrated, but some foods promote the formation of particular types of kidney stones.
- For example, in the case of uric acid stones, herring, sardines, anchovies, offal (such as liver), mushrooms, asparagus and spinach should be avoided.
- In the case of calculations composed of calcium, it is necessary to avoid calcium and vitamin D supplements, limit the intake of foods rich in calcium to 2 or 3 daily servings, and avoid antacids that contain this mineral.
- Keep in mind that kidney stone sufferers are once more susceptible in the future as well. They recur within 5-10 years in about 50% of people who have already had them. However, prevention can reduce the risk of recurrence.
Step 2. Try to consume less than 1500 mg of salt per day
Although 2300 mg of sodium is the maximum recommended daily amount for adults, your doctor may advise you not to exceed 1500 mg per day. Avoid seasoning dishes with too much salt and try to limit its use even when preparing food.
- Instead of using salt, flavor dishes with fresh, dried spices, citrus juice, and lemon zest.
- Try to cook as much as possible instead of going to the restaurant. When you eat out, you can't control your sodium intake.
- Avoid cured meats and processed meats, but also marinated ones. Also, avoid salty snacks, like potato chips.
Step 3. Add lemon to your diet, especially if you have calcium stones
Press a lemon into the drinking water or sip a low-sugar lemonade. This citrus fruit helps you break down calcium stones and prevent them from forming.
- It also helps reduce the risk of uric acid-compound stones.
- Try not to over-sweeten lemonades or other lemon-based drinks.
Step 4. Eat lean protein foods in moderation
You can eat foods of animal origin with balance, as long as they are low in fat, such as white meats and eggs. To reduce the risk of kidney stones of any kind, avoid the fattest cuts of red meat and try to get more protein from plant food sources, such as beans, lentils and tree nuts.
Try not to consume more than 85g of meat with meals if you are prone to uric acid stones. As a treatment, your doctor may recommend that you eliminate animal proteins altogether, including eggs and white meats
Step 5. Eat foods rich in calcium, but avoid supplements
Often those who suffer from calcium stones are convinced that they cannot take this mineral. However, calcium is needed to keep bones healthy, so consume 2-3 daily servings of milk, cheese, or yogurt.
Do not take calcium, vitamin D, or vitamin C supplements and avoid antacids that contain calcium
Step 6. Exercise regularly, but drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
Try doing about 30 minutes of physical activity a day. Moving regularly is essential for health. Brisk walking and cycling are great forms of exercise, especially if you are not used to exercising.
