Kidney Stone Pain Relief: Immediate Solutions That Work

Kidney stones are hard mineral and salt deposits that form inside the kidneys. They can cause excruciating pain when they move through the urinary tract. The severity of pain depends on the size and location of the stone. If not managed properly, kidney stones can lead to serious complications.

Addressing kidney stone pain quickly is crucial to prevent discomfort and complications. Many hospitals offer specialized kidney stone treatment, but finding the best hospitals for kidney stone treatment is essential for effective relief. This blog will provide immediate pain relief solutions and highlight expert treatment options by the specialists of Felix Hospital.
 

Don’t let kidney stone pain disrupt your life. Schedule a consultation at Felix Hospital for expert diagnosis and treatment. Call us now at +91 9667064100.

Understanding Kidney Stone Pain

What is a Kidney Stone?

Kidney stones are concretionary masses formed in the kidney by an accumulation of acid and mineral salts, which are hard crystal masses. Renal calculi or nephrolithiasis are also referred to as kidney stones. Kidney stones are sometimes as small as a speck of sand or rarely as large as a golf ball.

Most kidney stones pass without notice, particularly if they are small. Large stones, however, may become lodged in the ureter—the tube that carries the kidney to the bladder—and prevent urine from passing through. The obstruction can cause severe pain, kidney damage, and even bleeding.

Although some kidney stones pass out of the body in a few weeks, small stones can be very painful. If a stone cannot pass on its own, because it is too big, medical care may become necessary to shatter the stone or take it out.

Symptoms

The most typical symptom of kidney stones is severe pain in the lower back, abdomen, or sides (flank pain). Pain can spread to the groin and can range from a dull ache to excruciating, sharp pain. It also comes in waves and builds up and subsides periodically.
 

Other symptoms of kidney stones are:
 

• Nausea and vomiting
• Hematuria (urine bleeding)
• Burning or pain while urinating
• Difficulty in urinating or inability to urinate
• Urinary frequency and urgency
• Fever and chills (if the case is infected)
• Cloudy or smelly urine
   

In some cases, small kidney stones pass unnoticed and cause no symptoms.

Causes

Kidney stones form when minerals, acids, and other materials—like calcium, sodium, oxalate, and uric acid—get very concentrated in the urine. When there is an excess of these substances and insufficient fluid to dissolve them, crystals start to form and, over time, grow into stones. This may happen over months or years.
 

Types of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are grouped according to what they are made of:
 

Calcium-oxalate and Calcium Phosphate Stones
 

• The most prevalent form is usually secondary to a high-oxalate (e.g., spinach, nuts, chocolate) or low-calcium diet. Dehydration is also a risk factor.
   

Uric Acid Stones

• Excessive consumption of animal proteins like red meat, poultry, eggs, and fish, leads to an acidic urine pH environment favoring the development of stones.
   

Struvite Stones

• Development due to repeated urinary tract infections (UTIs). Such stones become large, in some cases even forming staghorn calculi, which are usually excised by surgery.
   

Cystine Stones
 

• Less common variety due to cystinuria, an inherited disease where there is an excess of cystine (a form of amino acid) in the urine, leading to the development of stones.
   

Knowing about the causes and types of kidney stones prevents their development by following modifications in diet and lifestyle.

Risk factors

Several conditions can raise your risk for kidney stones, such as:
 

• Dehydration – Failing to drink enough water results in concentrated urine, which allows minerals to crystallize and more easily form stones.
   
• High-Protein Diet – Eating large quantities of meat and other high-protein foods boosts acid content in urine, which encourages stone formation.
   
• Excessive Sugar and Salt Intake – Salties and sugars (such as sucrose and fructose) are known to contribute to the development of kidney stones.
   
• Excessive Use of Vitamin C Supplements – Excessive intake of vitamin C results in excessive oxalate in the urine, promoting the formation of stones.
   
• Genetic History – If your family has a history of suffering from kidney stones, then you are at a higher risk.
   
• Urinary Tract Obstruction – Deformities or blockages in the urinary tract can slow down the flow of urine and cause stone formation.
   
• History of Stomach or Intestine Surgery – Certain surgeries, such as gastric bypass, can influence mineral absorption by the body and contribute to an increased risk of kidney stones.
   
• Certain Medications – Diuretics, calcium-containing antacids, antiseizure medications, and other medications can increase the risk of kidney stones.
   
• Underlying Medical Conditions – Some medical conditions such as hyperparathyroidism, cystinuria, and frequent urinary tract infections may cause stone formation.
   

Recognizing these risk factors will assist in taking preventive measures so that the risk of forming kidney stones may decrease.

Complications

Kidney stones have various complications, particularly if they cause urinary tract obstruction or are left untreated. Some of the possible complications are:
 

• Intense Pain (Renal Colic): Passing kidney stones can cause severe pain in the lower back, belly, or groin area. The pain, otherwise referred to as renal colic, is severe and severely limits activities of daily life.
   
• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Kidney stones trap bacteria and enhance the risk of urinary tract infection. Signs of UTI are frequent need to urinate, painful or burning urination, fever, and chills.
   
• Obstruction of Urine Flow: A large stone gets stuck within the urinary system and obstructs urine flow. It leads to pain, and burning while urinating, and may cause kidney infection or damage. 
   
• Hydronephrosis (Kidney Swelling): Blocked kidneys due to stones may result in accumulation of urine within the kidney, and hydronephrosis. This can give rise to a backache, swelling, and, if neglected at the outset, permanent damage to the kidney. 
   
• Chronic Kidney Damage (CKD): Recurrent formation of stones or recurrent urine blocking over a sustained period may quietly cause renal injury. In the extreme, this can result in chronic kidney disease or kidney failure.
   
• Sepsis (Severe Infection): In the rare situation, kidney stones can lead to a body-wide severe infection called sepsis. The potentially fatal infection must be treated immediately. Symptoms are fever, rapid heart rate, confusion, and low blood pressure.
   
• Recurring Kidney Stones: Once a person gets kidney stones, he or she will likely develop them again. If there is no lifestyle change and prevention, recurrent stones will lead to ongoing discomfort and complications.
   

If you have symptoms of kidney stones or complications, you ought to receive early medical attention to prevent severe conditions. Early diagnosis and treatment facilitate recovery and help in preserving the well-being of the kidneys.

Preventions

Your diet and fluid consumption contribute significantly toward the prevention of kidney stones. Some of the preventive factors mentioned below can minimize your risk:
 

• Stay Hydrated: Hydration throughout the day will weaken substances in the urine that might form stones. Consume adequate fluids such that your urine appears pale yellow or clear.
   
• Limit Animal Proteins: Too much consumption of animal proteins (such as meat and eggs) may put you at increased risk for kidney stones. Attempt to reduce their intake.
   
• Cut Out Sugary and Salt Food: Sugary food and salt can be harmful to the formation of kidney stones. You are recommended to reduce them, particularly if you have a susceptibility to stones.
   
• Prevent High-Oxalate Foods: In calcium oxalate stones, dietary restriction with foods containing oxalate is also beneficial. Rhubarb, spinach, wheat bran, peanuts, and tree nuts fall in this category.
   
• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Keeping weight in the normal range reduces your risk of kidney stone formation. Being overweight is a risk factor for stones.
   
• Eat Foods that are Rich in Calcium: Consuming calcium foods such as milk and dairy products will prevent stones, but you should not take calcium supplements or calcium antacids because they put you at risk.
   
• Prescription Drugs: At times, diet change alone cannot do the trick, and therefore your physician will prescribe drugs for the prevention of kidney stones. Your physician will prescribe a medication depending on the type of stones you are predisposed to.
   

By implementing such modifications in your diet and lifestyle, you can safely lower the chance of developing kidney stones. Get instructions from your doctor in detail.

How Are Kidney Stones Treated?

Kidney stone treatment varies based on size, location, and symptomatic or complications status. You may be able to pass your small stone on its own. Your doctor usually advises waiting through your symptoms, and they may prescribe pain and discomfort relief medicine as the stone passes naturally.

But more aggressive treatments are needed for bigger stones, or stones that are not passing. If a stone is obstructing the urinary tract, infecting the tract, or has not passed after a few weeks, your doctor may recommend treatment to have the stone removed or dissolved.

Medications

If your stone will pass on its own without infecting the tract, your doctor may prescribe drugs to:

• Relax the ureter: Drugs such as tamsulosin (Flomax®) and nifedipine (Adalat® or Procardia®) relax the ureter so that the stone can pass easily.
   
• Control pain: Although small stones hurt, drugs can be administered by your doctor to alleviate pain. Caution should be exercised with ibuprofen, which enhances the risk of renal failure, particularly during an acute attack of kidney stone.
   

Kidney stone procedures

If you have a kidney stone that can’t pass on its own or is blocking your urinary tract, your provider will recommend a procedure to break up and/or remove the stone. The type of procedure they recommend depends on many factors, including the size and location of the stone. Kidney stone procedures include:
 

• Shockwave Lithotripsy: A procedure in which a sound wave shatters the stone into pieces that will pass. It is not an invasive procedure.
   
• Ureteroscopy: A scope is passed through your urethra to your ureter, and instruments are employed there to push out or take out the stone. The tiny pieces then pass through your urinary tract.
   
• Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: This is only used when other treatments don't work. A tube passes through a small cut in your back to take out the stone directly from the kidney.
   
• Laparoscopic Surgery: The stone may, in certain situations, be taken out with the help of a small incision. Otherwise, open surgery is necessary.

Do Kidney Stones Dissolve Without Treatment?

Yes, the majority of kidney stones (approximately 80%) can pass by themselves. Small kidney stones, generally smaller than 4 mm, will pass in one to two weeks, but bigger stones will pass in greater duration (two to three weeks). Once the stone has entered the bladder, it will pass within a few days.

If you think that you have a kidney stone, your provider should check you for complications. If the stone has not passed in four to six weeks, you need follow-up.

Immediate Pain Relief Solutions

Hydration: Flush Out the Stones

• A minimum water intake of 2-3 liters a day makes passing of the stone easier through the urinary tract.
• Proper hydration thins out urine so that no new stones form.
• Lemon water will dissolve small stones because of the high concentration of citric acid.

Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

• Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, and Naproxen will give relief from pain.
• Always follow the dosing instructions so as not to have gastrointestinal or kidney problems.

Heat Therapy: Apply Heat to Relieve Pain

• The use of a heating pad or warm compress on the lower back or abdomen eases muscle tension and minimizes spasms.
• Increased blood flow, caused by heat treatment, results in temporary pain relief.

Resting and Positioning

• Side-lying with knees flexed may relieve pressure against the kidneys.
• Frequent changing of position reduces pain and avoids worsening of distress.

Natural Remedies for Kidney Stone Pain Relief

Lemon Juice and Olive Oil Mixture

• Lemon juice has citric acid, which can dissolve kidney stones.
• Olive oil lubricates the urinary tract, allowing the free flow of stones.

Apple Cider Vinegar

• Has acetic acid, which can dissolve kidney stones.
• Anti-inflammatory and aids kidney function.

Herbal Teas

• Dandelion root and nettle leaf tea aid kidney function and act as natural diuretics.
• The teas promote the excretion of urine, pushing small stones naturally out of the body.

Meet the Best Urologist at Felix Hospital for Kidney Stones

If you wish to get the top urologist in Noida, Dr. Bhanwar Lal Barkesia is a well-known kidney stone treatment expert at Felix Hospital. With long years of experience in urology, he delivers quality care and the most advanced treatment for kidney stones. Patients rely on his expert skills to diagnose and treat kidney stone diseases effectively.
 

Whether you need pain relief or advanced treatment, our urology experts at Felix Hospital are here to help. Contact us today by clicking Here.

Conclusion

Relief from kidney stones demands immediate relief steps in terms of hydration, painkillers, and domestic remedies. In case the pain doesn't vanish, professional help is called for. An insight into the kidney stone treatment cost and an expert like Dr. Bhanwar Lal Barkesia of Felix Hospital assures utmost care for the relief of kidney stones.

By taking a healthy lifestyle, staying hydrated, and following preventive precautions, the risk of developing kidney stones in the future can be lowered to a significant degree. In case you have symptoms, consult an expert at the earliest for optimal outcomes.

FAQs on Kidney Stone Pain & Treatment

Q- Can kidney stone pain come and go over days or weeks?

Ans- Yes, kidney stone pain can be intermittent, depending on the passage of the stone. Some individuals experience relief from pain between episodes, but chronic pain indicates that the stone persists in blocking urine flow.

Q- What are indicators that a kidney stone is too big to be passed naturally?

Ans- Severe, persistent pain, pain when urinating, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, and hematuria  indicate the stone will need to be treated medically.

Q- Is diet actually a cause of kidney stone formation?

Ans- Yes! Foods containing oxalate, such as spinach, nuts, and chocolate, facilitate the formation of stones, while optimal nutrition with adequate calcium and appropriate fluid consumption prevent them.

Q- Is dehydration sufficient to cause kidney stones?

Ans- Yes, dehydration is also an important risk factor. Insufficient intake of water results in concentrated urine that facilitates crystallization of minerals and stone formation.

Q- Are kidney stones more prevalent in men or women?

Ans- Men are more prone to developing kidney stones, but women may develop them as well, especially if they have urinary tract infections (UTIs) or metabolic disorders.

Q- How long will it take for a kidney stone to pass?

Ans- It depends on the size and location. Small stones (less than 5mm) pass within a few days to a few weeks, but bigger stones require medical treatment.

Q- Is surgery always necessary for kidney stones?

Ans- No, surgery is reserved for big stones that obstruct or are very painful. Most of the stones are treated by non-surgical interventions such as shock wave lithotripsy or ureteroscopy prior to surgical removal.