Last Updated on June 16, 2022 by Nurse Vicky
Kidney Stones Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment
If you have a kidney stone, the pain it causes may be too intense to tolerate, and you may want to consider non-prescription medications.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen are available over-the-counter, but you should consult a physician before taking any medication.
NSAIDs are not recommended for people with certain medical conditions.
However, these medications may be helpful in relieving the pain associated with a kidney stone.
Symptoms
Symptoms of kidney stones can be a painful experience and may not show up until the stone has traveled down the urinary tract or around the kidney.
Other symptoms include burning, pain during urination, and cloudy urine.
Your doctor will likely perform several tests to determine the exact location, size, and type of kidney stone you have.
These tests can include blood tests to identify any salt crystals that can form stone-forming kidney stones and ultrasounds of your kidneys and ureters.
Sometimes a urologist may recommend shockwave lithotripsy or open surgery to remove the stone.
The health care provider may request X-rays to determine whether the stones are present in the urinary tract.
They may also order a CT scan to determine the exact location of the stone.
Imaging tests are also performed to determine if there are other medical conditions causing the stones or if the symptoms are merely the result of a kidney stone.
A health care provider can then decide who
ch treatment option is best for you based on your symptoms and the duration of your stone.
Causes
Many people have difficulty sleeping because of pain from kidney stones. Luckily, there are treatments to alleviate the pain.
Nonprescription pain medications like ibuprofen or naproxen are an option to treat the pain.
While you may not need prescription pain medication to treat your kidney stone, you should always seek a doctor’s advice before taking any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
The pain caused by kidney stones can mimic other health problems, such as diverticulitis or appendicitis.
When kidney stones lodge in the bladder, it can cause a urinary tract infection.
The pain is severe, often reaching a ten on a scale of one to ten, and may even radiate to the thighs. A doctor should monitor the pain to find the root cause.
Treatment for a kidney stone varies depending on the size, location, and severity of the stones.
Drinking enough water and limiting your intake of alcoholic drinks can help prevent kidney stone pain and reduce the risk of developing new stones.
If you have been diagnosed with kidney stone pain, you should limit your protein intake.
A general rule of thumb is to consume less than twelve ounces of protein per day.
This is equivalent to the amount of protein your body needs. Additionally, you should drink enough water to make two liters of urine each day.
Treatments
There are many treatments for where pain kidney stones occur.
Nonprescription pain medications can be used in the short term to relieve discomfort.
Examples of these medications include ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen.
These medications should be avoided if you have any existing health conditions, though.
In severe cases, surgery is an option. For more information, contact your physician or health care provider.
In the case of large stones, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) may be an option.
The procedure involves a small incision in the back and the use of a rigid telescope to reach the stone.
The surgeon then breaks up the stone and suctions it out. Patients will usually stay overnight in the hospital. Some kidney stones are too large to be removed through this method.
A surgical procedure such as PCNL is necessary if the stone is very large or complicated.
Managing a kidney stone at home
Managing a kidney stone at home is possible when you have a small one and have no other symptoms. Symptoms of a kidney stone vary in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball.
The larger they are, the more noticeable the pain. Symptoms begin as soon as the stone begins to irritate or block the kidney.
While kidney stones can cause extreme pain, they often pass without causing damage.
Treatment for small stones typically involves pain relievers and other treatments.
Managing a kidney stone at home is not always safe, and you should seek medical help if you experience any of the following symptoms:
For pain relief, you can take over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
However, if you have certain medical conditions, such as a heart condition or an abnormal kidney, you should consult your doctor before taking any medications.
You may also wish to consult your primary care physician if you are in too much pain.
A doctor can give you a prescription for over-the-counter pain relievers if they are deemed necessary.
