Everything You Need to Know About Kidney Stones

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes 51 seconds

What causes kidney stones?

Our kidneys are located below the ribs, behind the abdominal cavity, on both sides of the spine, and are one of the most important organs in our body. They perform various important functions, such as regulating blood pressure, producing new blood cells, and keeping bones healthy. However, one of their most important functions is to filter waste products from the blood and excrete the excess fluid from the body in the form of urine. The formation of kidney stones can sometimes occur while the kidneys are performing this task. Let’s take a closer look at how kidney stones form.

When the kidneys filter waste products from the blood, the minerals and salts in these waste products begin to crystallize, leading to the formation of kidney stones. Normally, the body excretes these substances through urine. However, when the concentration of these substances is high or when there is not enough fluid in the body to dilute them, these substances crystallize and cause kidney stones to form.

The factors that can contribute to kidney stone formation can be listed as follows:

• Dehydration, i.e., losing much more water than the body takes in
• Diets high in sodium or oxalate
• Obesity
• Urinary tract infections
• Genetic factors

Understanding the causes of kidney stone formation can help people take precautions against stone formation in the future.

What are the symptoms of kidney stones?

In the early stages of formation, kidney stone symptoms may not be noticeable. In fact, if the stones are very small and do not grow, they may pass out of the body without the person noticing. However, the situation is different with larger kidney stones. The location of the kidney stone is as important as its size. For example, a kidney stone that enters the urethra or causes a blockage can cause severe symptoms.

The most common symptom of kidney stones is severe pain felt in the side, back, or lower abdomen, which may sometimes radiate to the groin area. Other symptoms may include blood in the urine, nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, or a burning sensation during urination. In some cases, if there is an infection, fever and chills may also occur.

How do kidney stones pass?

When we refer to the passing or expulsion of a kidney stone, we mean the process by which the stone moves from the kidney to the ureter, reaches the bladder, and is expelled from the body through urine. This process can vary depending on the size and shape of the stone that has accumulated in the kidney.

Kidney stones smaller than 5 millimeters usually pass out of the body without medical intervention. However, during this process, the person may experience sharp pains as the stone passes through the narrow ureter. Drinking plenty of fluids can help make this process easier. In addition, your doctor may prescribe medications to relax the ureter and help the stone pass through the body. These medications can also help you experience less pain during the process.

How long does it take for a kidney stone to pass through the ureter?

The time it takes for a kidney stone to pass through the ureter can vary depending on the size of the stone and the person’s anatomy. On average, small stones (less than 4 millimeters) can pass within a few days to a few weeks. Stones larger than 5 millimeters may take longer to pass through the ureter. In some cases, medical intervention may be necessary.

If the kidney stone does not pass within four to six weeks or if severe symptoms occur, it is advisable to consult a urologist. Drinking plenty of fluids and following your doctor’s advice during this period can speed up the process of removing the stone from the body.

What is the easiest way to pass a kidney stone?

It may not be easy to pass stones larger than 5 millimeters without medical assistance. However, there are some measures that can be taken to facilitate the passage of small kidney stones from the body. Please note that the methods listed below are not guaranteed to pass kidney stones. However, combining and applying these methods may help small stones pass from the body.

Some of the things that can be done to pass kidney stones are listed below:

• Increase fluid intake: You should drink plenty of water. This will help cleanse your urinary system and make it easier for the stone to move.
• Use prescription medications: If your doctor has prescribed medication, be sure to take it. Doctors may recommend alpha blockers, which relax the muscles in the ureter and facilitate the passage of the stone.
• Stay active: Light exercise, such as walking, can help the stone move and progress through the urinary tract.
• Pain management: Over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage pain during the process of passing the stone.

These methods may help facilitate the passage of small kidney stones from the body. However, they are unlikely to be effective in cases involving larger stones. Therefore, it is important to consult a urologist if symptoms worsen or new symptoms arise.

What helps with kidney stones?

Treatment for kidney stones typically involves both immediate relief and long-term prevention. Various strategies and remedies may be helpful for those dealing with kidney stones:

• Fluid intake: Drinking enough water to dilute the substances that form stones in the urine is very important. This allows crystallized minerals and salts to dissolve and be more easily eliminated from the body.
• Dietary changes: Reducing your intake of foods high in oxalate, such as salt, animal protein, spinach, and nuts, may help during this process.
• Lemon juice: The citric acid found in lemons may help break down small stones and prevent new ones from forming.
• Medical treatments: Depending on the type of stone, medications may be prescribed to control specific mineral levels in the urine.

On the other hand, by paying attention to issues such as diet and adequate fluid intake, it is possible to minimize the risk of kidney stone formation by taking a proactive approach before the stone even forms.

How are kidney stones broken?

When a kidney stone is too large to be passed from the body without medical intervention, a procedure to break up the stone may be performed. This procedure involves breaking the stone into smaller pieces that are easier to manage. One of the most commonly used methods for breaking up stones is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). In this method, the stone is broken up using sound waves. Other kidney stone fragmentation techniques can be listed as follows:

• Ureteroscopy: A thin instrument is passed through the urethra and bladder to reach the stone, which is then broken up using a laser.
• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: This is a surgical method in which the stone is removed through a small incision in the back.

In ureteroscopy, a thin tube with a camera is inserted through the urinary tract to the stone, where it is broken up with a laser and removed. In percutaneous nephrolithotomy, surgeons make a small incision in the back to directly access and remove the stone. Both techniques are minimally invasive compared to traditional open surgery, and recovery typically involves a short hospital stay followed by several weeks of limited physical activity.

These methods are generally safe and effective, but recovery times and recommendations may vary depending on the procedure performed.

How is kidney stone surgery performed?

Kidney stone surgery is an option when stones cannot be removed from the body using other methods. It is performed when stones are very large, cause persistent pain, block urine flow, or lead to infection. Depending on the patient’s specific condition, the doctor may use different surgical techniques.