How do You Get Kidney Stones
Hard deposits of minerals and salts that develop in your kidneys (or other parts of your urinary tract) are called kidney stones. When a kidney stone passes through your urinary tract and causes pain, it’s called renal colic. Kidney stone in toilet is a common but extremely painful condition affecting one in 10 people in the UK at some stage in their lives. Small stones can be passed naturally, but larger ones often cause the need for kidney stone pain treatment to avoid complications like infection, obstruction, or damage to the kidneys.
Whether you’re facing mild discomfort or more severe pain from kidney stones, it can be helpful to know your options in the event you make decisions about your care.
Identifying the Type and Causes of Kidney Stones
Kidney stone types are not all the same. The four main types include:
- Calcium (most common; frequently high oxalate or calcium)
- Uric acid – Dehydration and a diet high in purines are associated with kidney stones from uric acid.
- Struvite (caused by urinary tract infections)
- Cystine stones (uncommon; an inherited disorder)
Examination: To ascertain the proper natural treatment for kidney stones, diagnostic tools such as CT scans, sonograms, urine analysis, and blood tests are used. It’s important to know which type of kidney stone types you have, since treatments work to dissolve stones differently: For example, uric acid in kidney stones can be treated with medication, while calcium Kidney stone might need alternative approaches.
Non-Invasive Kidney Stone Pain Treatment Without Surgery
Conservative kidney stone treatments are usually recommended by your doctor for a small stone (usually less than 5 mm):
- Hydration therapy – Drink 2–3 litres of water every day; it prevents your system from forming stones in general.
- Pain relief – Non-prescription pain relief such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can help with pain.
- Medical treatment – Alpha blockers (e.g., tamsulosin) relax the muscles of the ureter, which in turn facilitates the passage of the stone.
With these approaches, most small stones will pass within a few weeks. However, you might still need to manage your symptoms if you’re feeling worse.
Treatments for Larger Ones- 4 Methods for Kidney Stone Removal
When the stones are too large to pass (generally over 6mm), causing intense pain, triggering infections, or harming the kidney, surgeries are usually needed.
1. Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL)
- It shatters stones with sound waves.
- Outpatient non-surgical procedure with little downtime.
- For ureteric or kidney stones under 2 cm in size.
2. Ureteroscopy
- A small telescope is inserted through the urethra to find and pull out the stone.
- A laser might be used to break up larger stones before their removal.
- Recommended for stones that are stuck in the ureter or kidney.
3. Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)
- A surgical procedure for very large or complex stones.
- A small incision in the back allows direct access to the kidney.
- Typically used for stones larger than 2cm.
Kidney stone surgery is an option to be performed for the very large stones. At Chase Lodge Hospital, our urological experts determine kidney stone treatment measures according to the size of the kidney stone, its location, and the health of the patient to get the best results.
Preventing Recurrence - How to Prevent from Getting Kidney Stones
Within ten years, about half of those who have had kidney stones will get another one. Preventative measures include:
- Drinking plenty of fluids (your goal should be for pale-yellow or clear urine).
- Diet modification (restricting salt, oxalates, or animal protein based on stone type).
- Drugs (for example, allopurinol for uric acid stones or thiazide diuretics for calcium stones).
- Periodic screening with urine tests and imaging can pick up early signs of any new stones.
When to See a Specialist
Get emergency medical help if you have:
- Agonizing or intense pain in the back or side
- Blood in urine
- Fever or chills (may be a sign of infection)
Conclusion
Kidney stones can range from a simple annoyance to a major illness. There are different kidney stone pain treatment options: Smaller stones may require only hydration and pain control and treated without surgery, while larger ones may require lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, or kidney stone surgery.
If you think you have signs of kidney stones, you should get more fluids and test them to get rid of the stones. The earlier you’re diagnosed and treated by the specialists at Chase Lodge Hospital, the quicker you can get better and stay that way.
Contact us for kidney stone specialist today to know the best natural treatment for kidney stone plan for you.
