How To Relieve Kidney Stone Pain

Avoiding Recurrence Of Kidney Stones

If you have had one kidney stone, some tips that may help to prevent a second stone forming include:

• Talk to your doctor about the cause of the previous stone.
• Ask your doctor to check whether the medications you are on could be causing your stones. Do not stop your medications without talking to your doctor.
• Get quick and proper treatment of urinary infections.
• Avoid dehydration. Drink enough fluids to keep your urine volume at or above two litres a day. This can halve your risk of getting a second stone by lowering the concentration of stone-forming chemicals in your urine.
• Avoid drinking too much tea or coffee. Juices may reduce the risk of some stones, particularly orange, grapefruit and cranberry. Ask your doctor for advice.
• Reduce your salt intake to lower the risk of calcium-containing stones. Dont add salt while cooking and leave the saltshaker off the table. Choose low- or no-salt processed foods.
• Avoid drinking more than one litre per week of drinks that contain phosphoric acid, which is used to flavour carbonated drinks such as cola and beer.
• Always talk to your doctor before making changes to your diet.

Drinking mineral water is fine it cannot cause kidney stones because it contains only trace elements of minerals.

Shock Wave Therapy And Percutaneous Nephrolithotripsy For The Treatment Of Kidney Stones

Some small studies have tested shock wave therapy and PCNL. In comparison, PCNL was more successful than shock wave therapy. The following results were observed three months after treatment:

• 44 out of 100 people didn’t have any kidney stones after having shock wave therapy.
• 95 out of 100 people didn’t have any kidney stones after having PCNL.

But the outcome of shock wave therapy depends on the size, position and composition of the kidney stones: Stones with a diameter of less than 10 millimeters are easier to break up. This is more difficult if the stones are larger or harder. Stones in the lower part of the kidney are also harder to treat with shock wave therapy.

Shock wave therapy carries the risk of leaving behind kidney stone fragments that are too big to pass through the ureter. These fragments might get stuck in the ureter on their way to the bladder. Additional treatment is then needed. To prevent this from happening, a small tube is sometimes temporarily placed in the ureter. The stone fragments can then flow out smoothly.

The shock waves can be painful, so painkillers are given before the treatment. They can also damage the kidney tissue, which may lead to bleeding, for example. But serious complications and long-term damage are rare.

Because only a few small studies have compared these two treatments, there are no exact figures on the likelihood of complications. But shock wave therapy is still considered to be the more gentle treatment.

What Is A Heating Pad

A heating pad is a pad used to warm various parts of the body to relieve pain. There are different types of heating pads based on how the heat is transmitted. There are electrical, chemical, and hot water bottle pads. You can also find specialized heating pads used in plant propagation and the pet trade.

A hot coffee, a warm blanket, or a cozy fire have a way of giving a soothing feeling. It is this feeling that is communicated when you use a heating pad on an area where you feel pain. While it might not necessarily heal the source of pain, the physical and psychological relief you get can help speed up your healing.

Heating pads are used for getting relief from pains like backache, neck pain, shoulder ache, menstrual cramps, rheumatism, and other similar aches. When buying a heating pad, you would typically receive some information on how the heating pad can relieve you of these types of aches. But, you might not find an answer to the question you need to be answered: Can a heating pad help with my kidney stone pain?

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Prevention Tips For Kidney Pain

Kidney pain is commonly caused by urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and direct trauma, so kidney pain prevention entails preventing these causes. Heres what you can do to reduce your risk of developing kidney pain:

• Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water to promote urination and expel bacteria.
• Dont hold in your urine.
• After a bowel movement, wipe front to back in order to discourage bacterial movement from the rectum into the urethra.
• Take showers as opposed to baths.
• Gently wash skin around the vagina and anus do not use harsh soap or scrub vigorously.
• Empty your bladder as soon as possible after intercourse.
• Avoid the use of scented deodorants and scented feminine hygiene products near the genitals.
• Eat a low-oxalate diet.

Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University . He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine , and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.

Let Kidney Stones Pass

Stones typically take several weeks to a few months to pass, depending on the number of stones and their size. Over-the-counter pain medications, like ibuprofen , acetaminophen , or naproxen , can help you endure the discomfort until the stones pass. Your doctor also may prescribe an alpha blocker, which relaxes the muscles in your ureter and helps pass stones quicker and with less pain.

If the pain becomes too severe, or if they are too large to pass, they can be surgically removed with a procedure called a ureteroscopy. Here, a small endoscope is passed into the bladder and up the ureter while you are under general anesthesia. A laser breaks up the stones, and then the fragments are removed.

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Shock Wave Therapy And Ureterorenoscopy For The Treatment Of Ureteral Stones

Kidney stones that have traveled to a ureter are called ureteral stones. These stones are typically treated using shock wave therapy or endoscopic surgery through the bladder and ureter. Several studies have compared the rates of success for these two treatments when used to remove ureteral stones. The results show that most stones can be successfully treated using shock wave therapy. But the rate of success for ureterorenoscopy was slightly higher:

• 78 out of 100 people who had shock wave therapy no longer had any kidney stones after the treatment.
• 93 out of 100 people who had an endoscopic treatment no longer had any kidney stones afterwards.

So people are more likely to need further treatment after shock wave therapy.

The advantage of shock wave therapy is that it’s less likely to lead to complications than URS is: Complications occurred in 19 out of 100 people who had endoscopic procedures, but only in 10 out of 100 people who had shock wave therapy.

The possible complications of ureterorenoscopy include bleeding and urinary tract infections like cystitis. The ureter may be damaged during the procedure as well. But serious complications are generally rare.

People who had shock wave therapy were much less likely to need supportive treatments afterwards, such as ureteral stents or a temporary artificial opening in the kidney. But pain was more common during and after treatment. Bleeding and infections also seem to be more common following shock wave therapy.

How Long Does It Take To Pass A Kidney Stone

The amount of time it can take for you to pass a kidney stone is different from anothers. A stone thats smaller than 4 mm may pass within one to two weeks. A stone thats larger than 4 mm could take about two to three weeks to completely pass.

Once the stone reaches the bladder, it typically passes within a few days, but may take longer, especially in an older man with a large prostate. However, pain may subside even if the stone is still in the ureter, so its important to follow up with your healthcare provider if you dont pass the stone within four to six weeks.

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Relieving Kidney Pain At Home Urinary Infections

If youre suffering from kidney pain due to an infection in the urinary tract, try the following remedies. If they dont work, make sure to schedule a visit with your urologist to discuss a treatment plan that will ensure the infection doesnt spread.

Increase Water Intake

Hydration is key to flushing out infections of the urinary tract. Not only will staying hydrated help eliminate bacteria, it can relieve pain by reducing the concentration of your urine. Instead of turning to sugary drinks, increase your water intake. Water is always a better option as it causes less irritation. As a general rule of thumb, aim for 8, 8oz glasses a day.2 If youre active or have a strenuous lifestyle you may need more water to stay hydrated.

Take Probiotics

that helps increase the frequency and amount of urine that you pass.3 This helps further eliminate any bacterial buildup in the urinary tract and fights infection. If parsley juice on its own sounds too gross too handle, try adding it into smoothies with cranberry juice to mask the flavor.

Avoid Irritants

Limit your intake of alcohol and coffee, both of which irritate the urinary tract. Drinking irritants during an infection reduces the effectiveness of your bodys natural healing process and may increase dehydration.

Drink Green Tea

Relieving Kidney Pain at Home Kidney Stones

Add a Splash of Citrus

Can A Large Kidney Stone Cause An Injury

Your risk of injury from a kidney stone can go up based on the size and location of the stone. A larger stone could get stuck in a ureter, causing pressure to build up. This can lead to renal failure and, in the worst-case scenario, you could lose your kidney. The chance of passing a 1 cm stone is less than 10%, and stones larger than 1 cm typically dont pass.

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How To Relieve Kidney Pain

This article was medically reviewed by Victor Catania, MD. Dr. Catania is a board certified Family Medicine Physician in Pennsylvania. He received his MD from the Medical University of the Americas in 2012 and completed his residency in Family Medicine at the Robert Packer Hospital. He is a member of the American Board of Family Medicine.There are 21 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 20 testimonials and 85% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 269,094 times.

Research suggests that if you experience pain in your back between your ribs and your buttocks, or even down your sides into your groin area, you may be having kidney pain.XResearch source Although back pain is not always caused by your kidneys, you should talk to your doctor to make sure you don’t have any serious medical conditions. Experts note that treating your kidney pain will depend on its cause, and your doctor can make the best recommendations for your situation.XResearch source

How Are Kidney Stones Treated

Once diagnosed, your healthcare provider will first determine if you even need treatment. Some smaller kidney stones may leave your system when you urinate. This can be very painful. If your provider decides that you do need treatment, your options include medications and surgery.

Medications. Medications may be prescribed to:

• Your healthcare provider may recommend that you take an over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen or, if youre in the emergency room, an IV narcotic.
• Manage nausea/vomiting.
• Relax your ureter so that the stones pass. Commonly prescribed medicines include tamsulosin and nifedipine .

You should ask your healthcare provider before you take ibuprofen. This drug can increase the risk of kidney failure if taken while youre having an acute attack of kidney stones especially in those who have a history of kidney disease and associated illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity.

Surgery. There are four types of surgeries used to treat kidney stones. The first three are minimally invasive, meaning that the surgeon enters your body through a natural opening , or makes a small incision.

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Medication For Kidney Stones

For most people with recurrent calcium stones, a combination of drinking enough fluids, avoiding urinary infections, and specific treatment with medications will significantly reduce or stop new stone formation.

Certain medications such as thiazide diuretics or indapamide reduce calcium excretion and decrease the chance of another calcium stone. Potassium citrate or citric juices are used to supplement thiazide treatment and are used by themselves for some conditions where the urine is too acidic.

For people who have a high level of uric acid in their urine, or who make uric acid stones, the medication allopurinol will usually stop the formation of new stones.

How Do Health Care Professionals Treat Kidney Stones

Health care professionals usually treat kidney stones based on their size, location, and what type they are.

Small kidney stones may pass through your urinary tract without treatment. If youre able to pass a kidney stone, a health care professional may ask you to catch the kidney stone in a special container. A health care professional will send the kidney stone to a lab to find out what type it is. A health care professional may advise you to drink plenty of liquids if you are able to help move a kidney stone along. The health care professional also may prescribe pain medicine.

Larger kidney stones or kidney stones that block your urinary tract or cause great pain may need urgent treatment. If you are vomiting and dehydrated, you may need to go to the hospital and get fluids through an IV.

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What Are Other Ways To Get Relief From Kidney Stone Pain

Other than a heating pad, there are other things you could do to reduce pain when passing a kidney stone. These suggestions are not a replacement for seeking medical advice, especially if you have severe kidney stone symptoms.

Some activities that you can try to relieve your pain are:

• You can walk around for a few minutes. Do it for only as long as you feel relief from it. Once it feels too painful to walk, you should stop and rest again.
• Try to do some gentle stretches and a little yoga. The exercise will help you relax and take your mind off the pain.
• Take a hot bath or shower. The warmth of the bathroom or shower will give you some relief from the pain.
• Drink a lot of water. The water will help the kidney stone pass quickly, leading to relief from the pain.
• Apply oils on the painful area and gently massage. This massage can help reduce pain.

Passing a kidney stone can be a very painful process. But, with the help of a heating pad, pain relievers, and other methods, you should feel only a little pain.

Why Do Doctors Examine The Contents Of The Stone

There are four types of stones. Studying the stone can help understand why you have it and how to reduce the risk of further stones. The most common type of stone contains calcium. Calcium is a normal part of a healthy diet. The kidney usually removes extra calcium that the body doesn’t need. Often people with stones keep too much calcium. This calcium combines with waste products like oxalate to form a stone. The most common combination is called calcium oxalate.

Less common types of stones are: Infection-related stones, containing magnesium and ammonia called struvite stones and stones formed from monosodium urate crystals, called uric acid stones, which might be related to obesity and dietary factors. The rarest type of stone is a cvstine stone that tends to run in families.

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Natural Remedies For Kidney Pain Relief

Lots of water: Staying well hydrated can prevent the formation of kidney stones and help flush out bacteria that could contribute to a UTI.

Fresh lemon juice: Acid found in citrus fruits like lemons helps break up and dissolve kidney stones. For best results, use fresh lemon instead of lemon-flavored beverages. Begin drinking lemon water as soon as you wake up and continue throughout the day. You can also mix olive oil with lemon juice for added benefits.

Dandelion tea: Dandelion tea works as a diuretic, which means more urine will be released to help flush out toxins. Dandelion tea also stimulates circulation, which keeps the kidneys healthy.

Watermelon seed tea: Watermelon seed tea also works as a diuretic to help flush out toxins, and it can help stimulate the kidneys to function better.

Celery seeds tea: Celery helps promote the elimination of waste. Some studies have shown it increases urine output, too. Plus, celerys antifungal properties can help fight off bacteria.

Corn silk tea: Corn silk tea works to reduce pain while passing urine and can help promote healing from infection.

Parsley tea: A proven diuretic, not only can parsley be consumed as a juice or tea, but it can be used topically, applied as a paste to the painful area for pain relief.

Marshmallow root is a diuretic that greatly helps in reducing pain while urinating. It coats the lining of the urinary tract, projecting it from damage.