Kidney Stone Pain:
Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. Kidney stones start small but they can grow larger and fill the inner hollow structures of the kidney. Some stones stay travel down the ureter, the tube between the kidney and the bladder and leave the bladder in the urine stream.
A common symptom of kidney stones is a sharp cramping pain in the back and side. This feeling moves to the lower abdomen or groin. The patient can also experience pain when urinating.
The pain starts suddenly and comes in waves which usually last from 20 to 60 minutes. The pain associated with a kidney stone is not felt when the stone is in the kidney and is still relatively small. The pain is often first felt after it already formed and is passing through the urinary tract. Doctors have several methods for managing pain caused by kidney stones.
Management of Kidney Stone Pain:
Doctors have several methods for managing pain caused by kidney stones. There are different treatments for stones that are small versus those that are large.
Small kidney stones may cause pain. A doctor may recommend a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug to help with pain.
To ease your symptoms, the following might also be recommended:
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Drinking fluids throughout the day:
You should drink up to 3 litres of fluids per day.
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Anti-sickness medicine:
Pain relievers that do not require a prescription such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help.
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Alpha-blockers (medicines to help stones pass):
These relax your ureter which helps pass the stones along.
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Limit your intake of alcohol:
Prolonged intake of beer can cause a high concentration of oxalates (one of the constituents of kidney stones).
If your kidney stones are causing severe pain, your GP may send you to the hospital for tests and treatment. The ultimate solution to relieve pain caused by small-sized stones is to remove them by passing them through urine.
Large kidney stones cannot pass through urine and must be removed surgically.
When to Seek Medical Attention:
If your stones are tiny, then you will be able to pass them through urine and you will not feel any pain. However, if they are larger than 2mm in size, then you will feel pain in which case you must see a doctor.
At the Kidney Stone Clinic, our urologists will recommend the appropriate treatment to relieve you of your pain. They may suggest home remedies or medication. In serious cases with large sized stones, they will recommend surgery.
We promise to give you the appropriate care and advice for relieving you of your kidney stone pain.
