What to Do If You Think You Have Kidney Stones: 4 Tips

Wondering whether what you’re feeling might be a kidney stone? You’re not alone. About 1 in 10 people will develop one at some point in their life. Some stones sit quietly in the kidney for months or years without any symptoms, while others make themselves known quickly once they start moving.

While many kidney stones pass on their own, understanding what’s happening and what you can do to support the process can help you manage symptoms at home and know when medical care may be needed.

Why Would I Have Kidney Stones?

The main cause of kidney stones is dehydration. When you’re not drinking enough fluids, your urine ends up carrying a higher concentration of minerals, and those minerals can bind together in the kidneys and harden into crystals. Learn more about how dehydration impacts urinary health in this blog post.

This usually happens slowly, over months or even years. The pain tends to start later, once the stone leaves the kidney and moves into the ureter, the narrow tube that carries urine to the bladder. Because the ureter is so narrow, even a small stone can cause a surprising amount of discomfort as it passes through.

Symptoms of a passing stone often include:

• Sharp pain that comes in waves, usually in the back, side, abdomen, or groin.
• Blood in the urine.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• A frequent need to urinate, often with little output.

4 Tips for Passing a Kidney Stone

If you think you have a kidney stone, it’s worth seeing your doctor first so the stone can be checked for size, location, and any sign of blockage or infection. Smaller stones usually pass on their own, though it can take a few weeks. In the meantime, these steps can support that process.

1. Drink plenty of fluids
Staying well hydrated is the most important step. Consistent fluid intake keeps urine flowing, which helps move the stone through the urinary tract. Water is the best choice, though lemon and orange juice are worth adding as well, since their citric acid can help prevent stones from growing. Try to limit coffee and sugary drinks, which can work against hydration.

2. Keep pain relievers on hand
Kidney stone pain can be significant, especially while the stone is moving. Over-the-counter options like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help ease discomfort while you wait. Take them as directed, and ask your doctor if you’re not sure which is right for you. If those aren’t enough, your doctor may prescribe medication, such as an alpha blocker, that relaxes the muscles in the ureter to help the stone pass more easily.

3. Stay active, but don’t overdo it
Light activity, such as walking or gentle stretching, can encourage the stone to move along. Just make sure not to overdo it, as too much activity can make the pain worse.

4. Watch your salt and diet
Diet can influence both how stones form and how they behave. Since calcium is a common component of kidney stones, limiting high-sodium and processed foods is a good place to start, as excess sodium raises the amount of calcium your kidneys filter into the urine. It also helps to go easy on animal protein, like red and processed meat, which can raise the level of substances that contribute to stones. For more on how diet affects kidney health, see our post on foods that are good for the kidneys.

What to Expect If Your Stone Is Stuck

If a stone is too large to pass on its own, there are a few minimally invasive ways to remove it. Which option makes sense depends on the stone’s size, location, and type, and your provider can walk you through them.

Shockwave lithotripsy (SWL): One of the most common approaches. It uses focused sound waves, aimed at the stone from outside the body, to break it into pieces small enough to pass on their own.

Ureteroscopy: An outpatient procedure where a thin, flexible scope is passed up through the urethra and bladder to reach the stone. From there, it’s either removed directly or broken up with a laser first.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL): For larger or more complicated stones, a scope goes directly into the kidney through a small incision in the back, and the stone is broken up and removed.

When Home Care Isn’t Enough

Not every stone can be managed at home, and some situations need a doctor’s attention sooner rather than later. Stop waiting it out and seek medical care if you notice:

• Pain that is severe, getting worse, or doesn’t respond to over-the-counter medication.
• Fever or chills.
• Trouble urinating.
• Nausea or vomiting that won’t let up.
• A stone that doesn’t seem to be moving after a reasonable amount of time.

These can point to an infection or a blockage, and both need treatment rather than waiting.

Getting the Right Care

Most kidney stones are manageable, and many pass without any procedure at all. Staying hydrated, keeping pain under control, and paying attention to how your symptoms change will get you through most of the process. But if a stone is dragging on, causing more pain than you can manage, or showing signs of a complication, that’s the point to bring in a professional.

If you’re experiencing kidney stone symptoms or feel unsure about your next steps, consult with your general physician. If necessary, they will refer you to a specialist, like those at Spokane Urology. To learn more about our referral process, visit this page or call us at 509-747-3147.