Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Ease the pain
• Method 2 of 3: Make it easier to remove stones
• Method 3 of 3: Preventing Kidney Stone Disease
• Warnings

Kidney stones can be very painful. Fortunately, this pain can be relieved with certain methods. If you have kidney stones, you should see a doctor immediately. Use pain relievers and home remedies to relieve pain while the stones are passing out of your kidneys. Try to make it easier for stones to pass as well: follow your doctor's instructions and keep your body hydrated. Finally, take appropriate action and maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent future kidney stones.

Attention:the information in this article is for informational purposes only. Before using any methods, consult your doctor.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Ease the pain

1. 1 See your doctor if you have never experienced symptoms of kidney stones before. If you are not sure if the symptoms are caused by kidney stones, you need to undergo a medical examination and establish an accurate diagnosis. The doctor will be able to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, and will prescribe an appropriate treatment plan for kidney stones.
   • Common symptoms of kidney stones include pain (in the side, lower back, abdomen, or groin), painful urination, pink or brown urine, nausea and vomiting, frequent and harsh urge to urinate, fever or chills (if secondary to infection). Renal colic is also possible - acute pain in the lumbar region.
   • Even if you have had kidney stones before, check with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
   • If your doctor suspects you have kidney stones, they may filter your urine to check for stones and find out the composition.
2. 2 Go to an emergency room for acute symptoms. Sometimes kidney stones can cause additional complications (such as a blockage of the urinary tract or infection) that require immediate medical attention. Call the emergency room if you experience any of the following symptoms:
   • the pain is so severe that you cannot stand or remain calm in any other position;
   • pain is accompanied by nausea and vomiting;
   • the pain is accompanied by a fever or chills;
   • you cannot urinate normally or there is blood in the urine.
3. 3 Take pain relievers as directed by your doctor. If the stones are small enough, pain can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. These drugs include ibuprofen (Nurofen), paracetamol (Panadol), and naproxen (Nalgezin).
   • Before taking any of these medications, tell your doctor about any medications or supplements you are currently taking and other possible health problems.
   • For more effective pain relief, some doctors recommend combining paracetamol with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Ask your doctor if you can take these drugs at the same time.
   • If your pain is so severe that over-the-counter drugs don't work for you, your doctor may prescribe something more powerful.
4. 4 Try to move as much as possible. While movement is the last thing to think about for kidney stone pain, it actually helps relieve pain. If you are able, take a walk or engage in other light physical activity. Light stretching exercises or yoga classes are also good options.
   • If the pain increases noticeably when moving, stop. Move and exercise only if it helps relieve pain.
5. 5 Take a hot bath or shower. Moisture and warmth can help relieve pain from kidney stones. Stand in a hot shower, or fill the tub with warm water and soak for about 20 minutes. Make sure that the water is not too hot, otherwise you can burn yourself.
   • You can also apply a warm heating pad to the affected area. Do not lie on top of the heating pad and place a cloth (such as a blanket, towel, or heating pad cover) between the heating pad and the skin. You can apply a heating pad for 20-30 minutes 3-4 times a day.

Method 2 of 3: Make it easier to remove stones

1. 1 Drink plenty of fluids. Keeping your body hydrated will help clear kidney stones and keep your urinary tract healthy. You will determine that you are drinking enough water and other fluids by the color of your urine: it should normally be clear and almost colorless.
   • You can drink other liquids besides water, but you should limit your intake of coffee, tea, and acidic drinks, as they can irritate the urinary tract and increase discomfort.
   • Apple and grapefruit juices can contribute to the formation of kidney stones. Instead, it is better to drink cranberry juice.
   • Avoid alcoholic drinks and soda, as they can dehydrate and can worsen kidney stones.
2. 2 Take alpha blockers as directed by your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe alpha-blockers to relax the muscles in your urinary tract and make it easier for stones to pass. In this case, strictly follow the instructions of the doctor.
   • In case of kidney stones such alpha-blockers as tamsulosin ("Omnik"), alfuzosin ("Dalfaz"), doxazosin ("Kamiren") are often prescribed.
   • Be sure to tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking. Alpha-blockers can interact with beta-blockers, calcium antagonists, and erectile dysfunction drugs.
3. 3 Sleep on the side of the kidney with stones. When sleeping, try to keep the diseased kidney as low as possible, if this does not cause severe pain or discomfort. This will facilitate the removal of stones from the body.
   • Researchers have not established exactly why sleep posture affects stone clearance - perhaps sleeping on the side of the kidney underneath accelerates urine flow and filtration.
4. 4 Consider more intensive treatment as recommended by your doctor. If kidney stones are too large to pass on their own or cause other complications such as bleeding or infection, other treatments may be needed. Talk to your doctor about which methods are best for you. Your doctor may recommend the following:
   • Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). At the same time, sound waves are passed through the body, which split the stones into smaller fragments. Most often, this method is used in fairly simple cases.
   • Surgical removal of stones. Usually, small instruments are used during the operation, which are inserted through a tiny incision in the back. Many doctors only recommend surgery if ESWL and other treatments have failed. In addition, surgery may be required for relatively large stones.
   • Ureteroscopy. This involves inserting a tiny chamber into the ureter (the passageway that connects the kidneys to the bladder) through the urethra and bladder. When the doctor finds a stone, he inserts an instrument into the ureter, with which he crushes or pulls it out.

Method 3 of 3: Preventing Kidney Stone Disease

1. 1 Maintain water balance. Drink plenty of water and other healthy fluids throughout the day. This will help the body produce enough urine and flush out the crystalline deposits from the kidneys that form stones. For most people, it is sufficient to drink 3-4 liters of liquid a day.
   • If you are not sure you are drinking enough water, check with your doctor. He will be able to do tests to determine if your body is producing enough urine.
2. 2 Limit your intake of oxalate-rich foods. Foods containing oxalates can contribute to the formation of certain types of kidney stones, which are composed of calcium oxalate. Try to avoid the following oxalate-rich foods:
   • rhubarb;
   • beet;
   • spinach;
   • chard;
   • sweet potato;
   • chocolate;
   • tea;
   • black pepper;
   • soy;
   • nuts.
3. 3 Avoid animal salt and protein. If you've already had kidney stones, it is helpful to follow a diet low in salt and meat. Salt and animal proteins lead to the buildup of unwanted substances in the urine, which can cause kidney stones.
   • Aim to consume no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day. For kidney stones, your doctor may even recommend that you reduce your maximum daily dose to 1,500 milligrams.
   • Limit your daily meat intake. Eat no more than one piece of meat the size of a deck of playing cards a day.
4. 4 Eat calcium-rich foods. Although too high a concentration of calcium in the urine can lead to kidney stones, it is important to get enough of this trace mineral. To provide the body with calcium and at the same time not exceed the norm, try to get calcium along with food, and not food additives.
   • High amounts of calcium are found in green vegetables (collard greens, cabbage, broccoli), dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese), and certain types of seafood (such as canned fish with bones).
   • The human body can more easily absorb calcium along with vitamin D. Choose foods and drinks that are fortified with calcium and vitamin D at the same time (for example, some juices and dairy products).
   • If you are not sure how much calcium you need, consult your doctor. He will take into account your age, gender and general health and recommend a suitable daily allowance.
5. 5 Take a magnesium and potassium citrate supplement. These drugs prevent the buildup of substances in the urine that lead to kidney stones. Talk to your doctor about whether these nutritional supplements are right for you.
   • Talk to your doctor about the optimal dosage for these nutritional supplements. Typically, the urologist's recommended daily allowance is 1600 milligrams of potassium citrate and 500 milligrams of magnesium citrate.
6. 6 Check with your doctor before taking any dietary supplement. Certain dietary supplements contribute to the formation of kidney stones. For example, high amounts of vitamins C and D can form stones. Tell your doctor about any dietary supplements you are currently taking or planning to take and see if they may lead to recurrence of kidney stones.
   • If your doctor approves of any dietary supplement, ask them about the recommended dosage. The supplement can be beneficial in small amounts and harmful in large doses.
7. 7 Include antioxidants in your diet. The best way to do this is by eating enough colored fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants lower urinary calcium oxalate and thereby reduce the risk of kidney stones.
   • Good sources of antioxidants include berries, apples, citrus fruits, artichoke, cabbage, bell peppers, and fruit juices (such as pomegranate juice).
   • Avoid oxalate-rich sources of antioxidants such as sweet potatoes and nuts.
   • A more detailed list of antioxidant-rich foods can be found on the following website (in English): https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/antioxidants
8. 8 Change your usual sleeping position. Sleeping in the same position can contribute to the formation of kidney stones, especially if you sleep on your side. In this case, stones are more likely to form on the side you sleep on. If stones appear in one of the kidneys, try sleeping on the other side for a while.
   • If you have already formed stones and you are waiting for them to come out, it is better to sleep on the side where the stones are. When they come out, try to sleep on the other side.
9. 9 Maintain a healthy body weight with healthy practices. A healthy weight helps prevent kidney stones. If you are overweight, talk to your doctor or dietitian about how best to lose weight and not gain weight afterwards.
   • Kidney stones are linked to insulin resistance. If you are overweight, try to lose weight to improve insulin metabolism.
10. 10 Talk to your doctor about medications to prevent kidney stones. For certain types of stones, your doctor may prescribe medications to help prevent future stones from forming. For prevention, the following remedies are often prescribed:
    • preparations with thiazides or phosphates for calcium stones;
    • allopurinol helps prevent uric acid deposition;
    • antibiotics prevent the formation of struvite stones.

Warnings

• There are many diseases that resemble kidney stones in symptoms. Even if you are sure that your symptoms are caused by kidney stones, you need to see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
• If you suspect you have kidney stones, you should see your doctor. He will draw up a suitable treatment plan and decide whether hospitalization is necessary or whether it is enough to be treated at home. After the stones come out, you should strain the urine and collect them so that the doctor can determine their composition.