Most kidney stones will pass through the ureter to the bladder and out of the body when given time. In fact, with ample fluid intake, nearly all kidney stones will pass through the urinary tract on their own within 48 hours. Nevertheless, the time it takes for a stone to be passed depends on its size and location in the urinary tract. For instance, smaller stones and those located in the lower portion of the urinary tract (closer to the bladder than the kidneys), have a higher likelihood of passing on their own and tend to pass more rapidly. Larger stones and those located in the kidneys are less likely to pass on their own and tend to pass more slowly.
How long does it take to pass a kidney stone?
According to the American Urological Association, the length of time required to pass a kidney stone located in the ureters (tube that connects kidneys to the bladder), is an average of 8 days if the stone is less than 2mm, about 12 days for a stone between 2mm and 4mm, and 22 days if the stone is between 4mm and 6mm. Generally, however, most kidney stones will pass on their own in 40 days. But when a medical expulsive therapy is applied, a kidney stone (2mm to 6mm) will pass within a few days or weeks provided the patient is in good health. Medications called antispasmodics can be used to accelerate the process of passing a stone. The drugs relax the ureters and increase the speed of passing a stone by up to 5-7 days. A urologist may allow for up to 6 weeks for a kidney stone to pass on its own, but earlier intervention may be necessary if the stone is causing severe pain, gastric discomfort or urinary problems.
Factors affecting the ability to pass a kidney stone
There are several factors that affect the ability to pass a kidney stone. They include:
- Prostate enlargement.
- Size of the person.
- Prior stone passage.
- Pregnancy.
- Size of the stone.
- Location of the stone.
For instance, a kidney stone that is 4mm in size has an 80 percent chance of passing while a stone that is 5mm in size has only a 20 percent chance. Kidney stones that are larger than 9mm-10mm can hardly pass without a doctor’s intervention and require timely treatment to avoid complications. To increase the passage rate of kidney stones, a urologist may recommend certain medications. The medications include alpha blockers such as tamsulosin (Flomax) and calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine (Procardia, Nifediac, Adalat or Afeditab).
Dealing with the symptoms of a kidney stone
Since most kidney stones will eventually pass through the urinary tract and out of the body when given time, treatment is usually directed toward controlling the symptoms. When the stones are passed at home, appropriate interventions usually include increased fluid intake and taking anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen. If over-the-counter pain medications are ineffective, stronger drugs such as Ketorolac (an injectable anti-inflammatory drug) and narcotic pain medications are used. In case of severe nausea and vomiting, the doctor may give intravenous medications.
When do kidney stones require removal?
Waiting for kidney stones to pass is not ideal for every case. According to the American Urological Association, kidney stone removal should be considered if a stone fails to pass on its own within 2 months. Likewise, stone removal is necessary if complications arise due to the stone. Complications that require stone removal include ureter blockage or irritation, urinary tract infection, decreased kidney function and uncontrolled pain, nausea or vomiting.
To remove kidney stones, a procedure called lithotripsy is often used. During the procedure, kidney stones are subjected to shock waves, resulting in the breakdown of larger stones into smaller pieces that can easily pass through the urinary tract. When lithotripsy is not effective, surgical techniques may be necessary to remove kidney stones. This may be done either by making a tiny incision in the skin (percutaneous nephrolithotomy) or via an instrument (called ureteroscope) passed through the urethra and bladder into the ureter.
Effective treatment at St Pete Urology
At St Pete Urology, we provide a multidisciplinary approach to treating and managing kidney stones of all sizes. We have assembled a highly integrated team of nephrologists, urologists, radiologists and dietary and metabolic specialists to ensure comprehensive diagnosis, treatment and proper assessment of the risks leading to the formation of kidney stones. By applying the latest technology in treating kidney stones (including state-of-the-art lasers) and a broad range of noninvasive and minimally-invasive procedures for removing small and large stones, we guarantee only the highest quality and successful treatment to all our patients. For more information, visit the St Pete Urology site.
