Difference between revisions of "Pass a Kidney Stone"
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Kidney stones are small, hard deposits of concentrated crystallized minerals that form in the kidneys. These stones lodge themselves in the urinary tract and can be moderately to severely painful. Many individuals can pass the stones with home treatment, but professional medical treatment may be required to help patients pass larger stones. Here's what you should know about how to pass a kidney stone. | Kidney stones are small, hard deposits of concentrated crystallized minerals that form in the kidneys. These stones lodge themselves in the urinary tract and can be moderately to severely painful. Many individuals can pass the stones with home treatment, but professional medical treatment may be required to help patients pass larger stones. Here's what you should know about how to pass a kidney stone. | ||
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==Steps== | ==Steps== | ||
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#*Once kidney stones reach about 3/10-inch (8 mm), they are only 20 percent likely to pass on their own with home treatment. | #*Once kidney stones reach about 3/10-inch (8 mm), they are only 20 percent likely to pass on their own with home treatment. | ||
#*Stones that are 2/5-inch (1 cm) almost always need professional medical treatment. | #*Stones that are 2/5-inch (1 cm) almost always need professional medical treatment. | ||
| − | #Drink plenty of water. Water assists your kidneys by flushing them out, so you should increase your water intake to as much as 2 to 3 quarts (1.9 to 2.8 liters) daily.<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/kidney-stones/DS00282/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs</ref> | + | #Drink plenty of water. Water assists your kidneys by flushing them out, so you should increase your water intake to as much as 2 to 3 quarts (1.9 to 2.8 liters) daily.<ref name="rf16151">http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/kidney-stones/DS00282/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs</ref> |
#*You should drink enough fluid to produce clear or nearly clear urine each time you make a bathroom visit. Water is the best option. | #*You should drink enough fluid to produce clear or nearly clear urine each time you make a bathroom visit. Water is the best option. | ||
#Add lemon to your diet. Occasionally squeeze a lemon into your water or consume foods made with lemon juice. | #Add lemon to your diet. Occasionally squeeze a lemon into your water or consume foods made with lemon juice. | ||
| − | #*Lemon is high in citric acid, which is thought to be effective at breaking up calcium-based kidney stones. As the stones break down, they become easier and less painful to pass.<ref>http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/13986/1/How-to-Pass-a-Kidney-Stone-Easily.html</ref> | + | #*Lemon is high in citric acid, which is thought to be effective at breaking up calcium-based kidney stones. As the stones break down, they become easier and less painful to pass.<ref name="rf16152">http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/13986/1/How-to-Pass-a-Kidney-Stone-Easily.html</ref> |
| − | #*Try to consume 1/2 cup (125 ml) of pure lemon juice daily.<ref>http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/kidney-stones/prevention.html</ref> | + | #*Try to consume 1/2 cup (125 ml) of pure lemon juice daily.<ref name="rf16153">http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/kidney-stones/prevention.html</ref> |
#*Note that other juices are far less effective. In fact, cranberry juice, apple juice, and grapefruit juice may increase your risk for developing kidney stones rather than helping you to break the stones up. | #*Note that other juices are far less effective. In fact, cranberry juice, apple juice, and grapefruit juice may increase your risk for developing kidney stones rather than helping you to break the stones up. | ||
#Limit your salt and protein intake. Reduce your sodium intake to 3 g or less per day and consume meat protein in moderation. | #Limit your salt and protein intake. Reduce your sodium intake to 3 g or less per day and consume meat protein in moderation. | ||
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#Reduce stress. Some connection may exist between kidney stone formation and stress. While it is not clear that reducing your stress will help you to pass existing stones, it will at least help prevent the formation of new stones, thereby preventing further complications with existing stones. | #Reduce stress. Some connection may exist between kidney stone formation and stress. While it is not clear that reducing your stress will help you to pass existing stones, it will at least help prevent the formation of new stones, thereby preventing further complications with existing stones. | ||
=== Prescription Medication=== | === Prescription Medication=== | ||
| − | #Take an alpha-blocker. Alpha-blockers relax smooth muscle in the body and are often used to treat kidney stones, prostate problems, and high blood pressure.<ref>http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/alpha-blocker-medicines</ref> | + | #Take an alpha-blocker. Alpha-blockers relax smooth muscle in the body and are often used to treat kidney stones, prostate problems, and high blood pressure.<ref name="rf16154">http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/alpha-blocker-medicines</ref> |
#*Alpha-blockers can be used to treat all types of kidney stones. Other medications are prescribed specifically depending on the cause of the stone. | #*Alpha-blockers can be used to treat all types of kidney stones. Other medications are prescribed specifically depending on the cause of the stone. | ||
#*The most commonly prescribed alpha-blocker might be Tamsulosin. Additional alpha-blockers include Alfuzosin, Doxazosin, Silodosin, and Terazosin. | #*The most commonly prescribed alpha-blocker might be Tamsulosin. Additional alpha-blockers include Alfuzosin, Doxazosin, Silodosin, and Terazosin. | ||
| − | #Ask about cause-based medications. Some prescription medications are only used to treat stones caused by certain problems.<ref>http://www.webmd.com/kidney-stones/kidney-stones-medications</ref> While some medications may help you to pass a kidney stone, others are primarily used for kidney stone prevention. | + | #Ask about cause-based medications. Some prescription medications are only used to treat stones caused by certain problems.<ref name="rf16155">http://www.webmd.com/kidney-stones/kidney-stones-medications</ref> While some medications may help you to pass a kidney stone, others are primarily used for kidney stone prevention. |
#*Calcium-based stones are the most common type of kidney stone. Medications used to treat them include thiazides, potassium citrates, and orthophosphates. | #*Calcium-based stones are the most common type of kidney stone. Medications used to treat them include thiazides, potassium citrates, and orthophosphates. | ||
#*Uric acid stones account for 5 to 10 percent of kidney stones. Potassium citrate, sodium bicarbonate, and allopurinol are used to treat these. | #*Uric acid stones account for 5 to 10 percent of kidney stones. Potassium citrate, sodium bicarbonate, and allopurinol are used to treat these. | ||
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#Try shock wave lithotripsy. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is used to treat 80 to 90 percent of large kidney stones unless they are located in the lower third of the ureter. | #Try shock wave lithotripsy. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is used to treat 80 to 90 percent of large kidney stones unless they are located in the lower third of the ureter. | ||
#*With ESWL, the patient lays under a machine called a lithotripter. This machine sends high-pressure sound waves through the patient's body. The shock waves are strong enough to break large stones into smaller pieces, which can then be passed normally through urination. | #*With ESWL, the patient lays under a machine called a lithotripter. This machine sends high-pressure sound waves through the patient's body. The shock waves are strong enough to break large stones into smaller pieces, which can then be passed normally through urination. | ||
| − | #Ask about a ureteroscopy. This procedure can be used to break up or remove large kidney stones.<ref>http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/KUDiseases/pubs/stonesadults/index.aspx#treated</ref> | + | #Ask about a ureteroscopy. This procedure can be used to break up or remove large kidney stones.<ref name="rf16156">http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/KUDiseases/pubs/stonesadults/index.aspx#treated</ref> |
#*A long, tube-like instrument called a Ureteroscope is inserted through the urethra and bladder to the ureter, where kidney stones usually form and get stuck. | #*A long, tube-like instrument called a Ureteroscope is inserted through the urethra and bladder to the ureter, where kidney stones usually form and get stuck. | ||
#*A special tool may be used to remove the stone, but if it is too large, a laser will be used to break the stone into smaller pieces that can pass through urination. | #*A special tool may be used to remove the stone, but if it is too large, a laser will be used to break the stone into smaller pieces that can pass through urination. | ||
