Introduction Passing a kidney stone is often described as the worst pain ever, delivering a double whammy of emotional and physical distress! Whether you’re bracing for a tough battle or hoping for a smooth passage, we are here to guide you through the ‘rocky’ journey ahead.



How do I know if my stone is passing?



The short answer is: there will be signs! As your kidney stone begins its journey out of your body, it moves from the kidney into your ureters, and makes its way towards the bladder. During this process, you might experience a sharp, cramping pain in your lower back or side – which is typical when passing stones! Don’t panic if the pain seems to travel – it&#8217;s just following the path of your stone.



Curious about the full stone-passing process? We’ve broken it down into 4 simple stages <a href="https://wpewellness.worstpainever.com/resources/video/what-to-expect-when-expecting-a-kidney-stone">here</a>.



Will it hurt all the time? Kidney stones are a mixed bag – they can be as tiny as a grain of sand or as big as a golf ball!&nbsp;While smaller stones might pass with little discomfort, larger stones may get lodged in your ureters, causing serious symptoms like blood in your urine and difficulty urinating. That’s why it crucial to monitor your symptoms!



If you’re experiencing unbearable or persistent pain, running a fever over 101°F, or notice foul-smelling or cloudy urine, seek medical attention immediately.



How does stone size affect my chances of a stone passing naturally? Stones smaller have a greater likelihood of passing naturally, but as your stone gets larger, your chances decrease1. Here’s how the odds stack up as your stone size increases:



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Plus, the size of your stone will also affect how long it takes to pass2. Here’s how long your stone might take to pass based on its size:



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How does stone location also affect my chances of passing a stone? Your urinary system is divided into two main parts – the upper and lower poles. The upper pole houses your kidneys and ureters, while the lower consists of your bladder and urethra2. Together, your organs function seamlessly to produce and remove urine from your body2.



The lower the stone in your urinary system, the more likely it will pass naturally3. Here’s how the chances stack up based on its location:



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What can I do to help my stones pass quickly?



Nothing beats plain ol’ water! Try to drink at least 3 liters of fluids daily, and feel free to have more if you’re up for it. The more you drink, the more urine you produce, increasing both the volume and flow of your urine to flush out your stones4! Besides staying hydrated, gentle exercises like yoga and light walking can also help to move your stones along5.



Are there any home remedies that can dissolve my stones? Unfortunately, most kidney stones can’t be dissolved. Despite countless claims online, only uric acid and brushite stones – making up about 10% and less than 2% of all kidney stones – can be dissolved with medication6.



If you’re thinking about drinking apple cider vinegar (ACV), think again! While ACV shows some promise in preventing kidney stones, it can&#8217;t dissolve existing ones. Plus, it can lead to serious side effects like damaging your tooth enamel and digestive issues7. So before you reach out for that bottle of ACV, <a href="https://wpewellness.worstpainever.com/resources/will-apple-cider-vinegar-help-my-kidney-stones?urinalysis=false">find out what it actually does for your stones</a>.



Another popular home remedy is drinking cranberry juice. We hate to break it to you, but instead of preventing or dissolving your stones, cranberry juice may actually increase your risk of stone formation8! Don’t be fooled, <a href="https://wpewellness.worstpainever.com/resources/is-cranberry-juice-good-for-kidney-stones?urinalysis=false">here’s why cranberry juice might not be suitable for stone formers</a>.



When managing kidney stones, always consult your doctor before trying new remedies. Your health is too important to leave to internet myths!



Are there medications to help me pass kidney stones?



Sometimes, to speed things up, your urologist might recommend <a href="https://wpewellness.worstpainever.com/resources/kidney-stone-treatments-101-medical-expulsive-therapy-met?urinalysis=false">medical expulsive therapy (MET)</a>. They will prescribe some oral medications which can boost your chances of passing a stone by a whooping 30%8! Here are some common medications used in MET:



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Medication</td><td>What it does</td></tr><tr><td>Alpha blockers like Tamsulosin (e.g. Flomax)</td><td>Relax the muscles in your urinary tract, making it easier for stones to pass9.</td></tr><tr><td>Calcium channel blockers (e.g. nifedipine)</td><td>Ease any cramps or pain you <a>may</a> experience9.</td></tr><tr><td>Pain medication like NSAIDs (e.g. Tylenol)</td><td>Make you feel a lot more comfortable when passing your stone, but they do not speed up the process9.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



What happens after I pass my stone? Hooray! But hold off on the celebration just yet, there&#8217;s still some important work to do. Even if you’re ready to part with your stones, make sure to collect any stones or fragments you’ve passed. Your urologist needs them to run a stone analysis! A stone analysis is a crucial test which can help to determine what your stones are made of. This will help you and your urologist uncover the cause your stones and how to prevent them in the future10.



Unfortunately, kidney stones are rarely a one-time occurrence. In fact, nearly 50% of stone formers develop another stone within 7 years11! But fear not, there’s plenty you can do to avoid going through this ordeal all over again. Ramp up your stone prevention efforts with these <a href="https://wpewellness.worstpainever.com/resources/everything-you-need-to-know-about-starting-your-kidney-stone-diet">6 essential tips</a> to get your diet on track, and get moving with <a href="https://wpewellness.worstpainever.com/resources/kidney-stones-wont-stand-a-chance-against-this-workout-plan">this stone-crushing workout plan</a>!



What happens if I can’t pass my stone? If your kidney stone is too large to pass naturally, your urologist may recommend surgery to remove it. Some common procedures include extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), ureteroscopy (URS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL)8. Intimidated by their complex names? Don’t worry, you can find information all about them below:



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Treatment</td><td>Best for…</td><td>Treatment Details</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://wpewellness.worstpainever.com/resources/kidney-stone-treatments-101-extracorporeal-shock-wave-lithotripsy-eswl?urinalysis=false">Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)</a></td><td>Non-infectious stones, &lt;15mm in diameter.</td><td>Non-invasive procedure which uses shockwaves, administered from outside the body, to break up the stone.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://wpewellness.worstpainever.com/resources/kidney-stone-treatments-101-ureteroscopy-urs?urinalysis=false">Ureteroscopy (URS)</a></td><td>Non-infectious stones, &lt;20mm in diameter.</td><td>Minimally invasive procedure which involves inserting a scope and fibre into the ureter to break up the stone with laser.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://wpewellness.worstpainever.com/resources/video/kidney-stone-treatments-101%3A-pncl">Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL)</a></td><td>Infectious, complex or large stones &gt;20mm in diameter.</td><td>Invasive procedure which involves making a cut on the lower back to access and remove the stone.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Conclusion



Now that you understand the ins and outs of passing a stone, we hope you’re feeling more prepared. Remember, it’s perfectly normal to feel nervous! After all, even seasoned stone formers find the experience nerve-wrecking.



And for extra support<a href="https://wpewellness.worstpainever.com/urogpt">, simply ask UroGPT™</a>! Available 24/7, our hyper-intelligent chatbot offers personalized lifestyle and diet advice to help you stay stone-free.



References



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Jendeberg, J., Geijer, H., Alshamari, M., Cierzniak, B., &amp; Lidén, M. (2017). Size matters: The width and location of a ureteral stone accurately predict the chance of spontaneous passage. European Radiology, 27(11), 4775–4785. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-017-4852-6</li>



<li>The Urinary Tract &amp; How It Works. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (n.d.) <a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/urinary-tract-how-it-works" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/urinary-tract-how-it-works</a></li>



<li>Coll, D. M., Varanelli, M. J., &amp; Smith, R. C. (2002). Relationship of spontaneous passage of ureteral calculi to stone size and location as revealed by unenhanced Helical CT. American Journal of Roentgenology, 178(1), 101–103. https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.178.1.1780101</li>



<li>Solan, M. (2023). How to pass a kidney stone &amp; 5 tips to prevent them. Harvard Health. <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/5-things-can-help-take-pass-kidney-stones-2018030813363" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/5-things-can-help-take-pass-kidney-stones-2018030813363</a></li>



<li>Polastri, M., &amp; Andreoli, E. (2022b). Physiotherapy and exercise to reduce symptoms and facilitate clearance of kidney stones in people with nephrolithiasis. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 29(12), 1–4. <a href="https://doi.org/10.12968/ijtr.2022.0151" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://doi.org/10.12968/ijtr.2022.0151</a></li>



<li>Alelign, T., &amp; Petros, B. (2018). Kidney Stone Disease: An update on current concepts. Advances in Urology, 2018, 1–12. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/3068365" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/3068365</a></li>



<li>Krebs-Holm L. (2021). 7 Side Effects of Apple Cider Vinegar You Should Be Aware of.&nbsp;Fitwirr.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fitwirr.com/nutrition/side-effects-of-apple-cider-vinegar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.fitwirr.com/nutrition/side-effects-of-apple-cider-vinegar/</a></li>



<li>Medical Student Curriculum: Kidney Stones. American Urological Association. (n.d.).&nbsp;<a href="https://www.auanet.org/meetings-and-education/for-medical-students/medical-students-curriculum/kidney-stones" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.auanet.org/meetings-and-education/for-medical-students/medical-students-curriculum/kidney-stones</a></li>



<li>Bos, D., &amp; Kapoor, A. (2014). Update on medical expulsive therapy for distal ureteral stones: Beyond alpha-blockers.&nbsp;Canadian Urological Association Journal,&nbsp;8(11–12), 442.&nbsp;<a href="https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.2472" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.2472</a></li>



<li>Singh, V. K., &amp; Rai, P. K. (2014). Kidney stone analysis techniques and the role of major and trace elements on their pathogenesis: a review.&nbsp;Biophysical Reviews,&nbsp;6(3–4), 291–310.&nbsp;<a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s12551-014-0144-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://doi.org/10.1007/s12551-014-0144-4</a></li>



<li>Lewine, H. (2023). How to prevent kidney stones. Harvard Health.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/5-steps-for-preventing-kidney-stones-201310046721#:~:text=Also%20called%20renal%20calculi%2C%20nephrolithiasis,seven%20years%20without%20preventive%20measures" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/5-steps-for-preventing-kidney-stones-201310046721#:~:text=Also%20called%20renal%20calculi%2C%20nephrolithiasis,seven%20years%20without%20preventive%20measures</a></li>
</ol>

Passing a Kidney Stone: How Bad Is It, Really?

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