If you’ve ever had kidney stones, you know the pain can be intense. It’s usually sharp, sudden, and impossible to ignore. They can bring your daily life to a halt, causing severe back or side pain, nausea, and difficulty urinating.
Kidney stones form when minerals in your urine crystallize and stick together. This creates stones that can move or get stuck anywhere along your urinary tract. Some pass on their own with time and hydration, while others need medical treatment to break them up or remove them.
Whether you’re currently passing a stone or trying to avoid another one, here are six of the best treatments for kidney stones.
Six Best Treatments for Kidney Stones
1. Symptom management
Pain is often the first and most urgent symptom of a kidney stone. Your doctor will likely begin by helping you manage discomfort while determining the best course of treatment for you.
Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be enough for smaller stones. If the pain is more severe, prescription medications or anti-nausea drugs may be used. Staying hydrated and resting can also help while the stone makes its way through your urinary tract.
2. Letting the stone pass naturally
If your kidney stone is smaller (less than 5 millimeters), your doctor may recommend waiting to see if it will pass on its own if it is not causing serious symptoms. While you wait, you will be encouraged to:
- Drink plenty of water each day, usually at least 2 to 3 liters
- Assess your symptoms
- Monitor your urine output
- Use a strainer to catch the stone for testing
- Follow up with your doctor throughout the process
Most small stones pass within a few days to several weeks. However, if symptoms worsen or the stone doesn’t pass, further treatment may be needed.
3. Medication to help the stone move
For stones that are a bit larger or not passing easily, your doctor may prescribe a medication called an alpha blocker. Alpha blockers relax the muscles in the ureter, the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder. These medications can help the stone move through more smoothly. Tamsulosin is commonly used for this purpose.
This approach is often combined with pain relief and hydration. It works best for stones between 5 and 10 millimeters that are not causing significant blockage or infection.
4. Shock wave therapy
Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is a noninvasive procedure used to break larger stones into smaller fragments using sound waves. Once the stone is broken up, the pieces can pass more easily through your urinary tract.
SWL is most effective for stones smaller than 2 centimeters, especially those located in the kidney or upper ureter. You may be lightly sedated during the procedure. In some cases, a small stent is placed in the ureter to help the fragments pass.
Most people are able to go home the same day, and your doctor will give you instructions for hydration and follow-up care.
5. Ureteroscopy and laser treatment
If a stone is stuck in your ureter or lower kidney, ureteroscopy may be recommended. Ureteroscopy is performed without any external incisions. It is typically done on an outpatient basis under anesthesia.
This procedure involves passing a thin scope through the bladder and into the ureter to locate the stone. A laser is used to break the stone into smaller pieces, which may either be removed or allowed to pass naturally. A temporary stent may be placed to keep the ureter open and ease discomfort during recovery.
6. Surgical stone removal (percutaneous nephrolithotomy)
For stones larger than 2 centimeters or located deep within the kidney, a percutaneous nephrolithotomy may be needed. This procedure is generally reserved for cases where other treatments are unlikely to be effective.
During this minimally invasive surgery, your doctor makes a small incision in your back. They then insert instruments directly into the kidney to break up and remove the stone. The surgery requires general anesthesia and usually involves an overnight hospital stay.
When to Seek Help
Some kidney stones pass on their own. But others require medical attention to prevent complications like infection or kidney damage. If you’re experiencing persistent pain, blood in your urine, or difficulty passing a stone, don’t wait. Schedule an appointment with an experienced urologist today.