Can I live a normal life with kidney stones?
Kidney stones shouldn’t stop you from going about your daily activities, or drastically reduce your quality of life. Thanks to passing them while you urinate, and thanks to treatment options, kidney stones aren’t permanent.
If you’ve had kidney stones, you’re at a higher risk for more kidney stones and chronic kidney disease.
Are kidney stones deadly?
No. Kidney stones don’t cause death.
When should I see my healthcare provider?
Don’t hesitate to see your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing symptoms of kidney stones. If you have a kidney stone, you’ll need to know where it’s located and what size it is so that you can get treatment and prevent complications.
When should I go to the emergency department?
Go to the emergency department if the pain is unbearable. You may be prescribed medication for your pain and any nausea/vomiting.
What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?
You may want to ask your provider:
- Do I have a kidney stone or is there another reason for my symptoms?
- What type of kidney stone do I have?
- What size is my kidney stone?
- Where’s my kidney stone located?
- How many kidney stones do I have?
- Do I need treatment or will I be able to pass the kidney stone?
- Should I be tested for kidney disease?
- What changes should I make to my diet?
- What type of procedure should I have to get rid of the stones?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Kidney stones can be frustrating at best and agonizingly painful at worst. To stop your situation from getting worse, you should be evaluated by a healthcare provider as soon as possible. The pain can get severe, and surgery might be necessary. Remember: Don’t skip your prescriptions, drink lots of water and follow any dietary guidelines. Also, remember that kidney stones are a temporary condition. They won’t bother you forever.
FAQs
Possible causes include drinking too little water, exercise (too much or too little), obesity, weight loss surgery, or eating food with too much salt or sugar. Infections and family history might be important in some people. Eating too much fructose correlates with increasing risk of developing a kidney stone.
What are 4 symptoms of kidney stones? ›
Symptoms & Causes of Kidney Stones
- sharp pains in your back, side, lower abdomen, or groin.
- pink, red, or brown blood in your urine, also called hematuria.
- a constant need to urinate.
- pain while urinating.
- inability to urinate or can only urinate a small amount.
- cloudy or bad-smelling urine.
Typically, the stone will eventually move through the urinary tract (figure 1) and is passed out of the body in the urine. A stone may cause pain if it becomes stuck and blocks the flow of urine. Large stones do not always pass on their own and sometimes require a minimally invasive procedure to remove them.
What foods cause kidney stones? ›
There is no one specific cause of kidney stones. Several risk factors can contribute to kidney stone formation: A diet that is high in protein (red meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood), sodium (salty foods), or sugar (sodas and sugary drinks) Dehydration.
Will I know when I pee out a kidney stone? ›
You may not notice if you have small kidney stones. You'll usually pee them out without any discomfort. Larger kidney stones can cause several symptoms, including: pain in the side of your tummy (abdomen)
What dissolves kidney stones fast? ›
Certain substances, including apple cider vinegar and lemon juice, may help dissolve kidney stones, making them easier to pass. Drinking plenty of fluids can help pass kidney stones and prevent new stones from forming. The extra liquid flush can help out toxins, moving stones and grit through your urinary tract.
What can be mistaken for kidney stones? ›
Kidney stones are sometimes considered "the great mimicker" because their signs and symptoms are very similar to appendicitis, ovarian or testicular conditions, gastritis, and urinary tract infections. You may not feel pain in your kidneys; you may feel it elsewhere, due to pain referral patterns.
How do I check myself for kidney stones? ›
Warning Signs You May Have a Kidney Stone
- Severe pain in the back, side, or below the ribs.
- Pain that travels to the lower abdomen or groin area.
- Pain when urinating.
- Pink, red, brown urine coloring.
- Cloudy or bad-smelling urine.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Fever and chills.
- Persistent feeling of needing to urinate.
You should go to the hospital or seek medical attention for these kidney stone symptoms: A sharp pain in the side, back or lower abdomen. Pain when urinating. Blood in the urine (hematuria)
What will happen if kidney stones are not removed? ›
A large stone may get stuck in the urinary system. This can block the flow of urine and may cause strong pain. Kidney stones can cause permanent kidney damage. Stones also increase the risk of urinary and kidney infection, which can result in germs spreading into the bloodstream.
Kidney stones that range from 0.5 to 4.0 millimeters in diameter can and often do go away on their own. Such stones pass easily in urine without causing pain as long as there is adequate water intake to increase urine flow and aid their passage.
How to pass kidney stones fast at home? ›
Drinking plenty of water helps dilute your urine to keep the stone from growing and may help you pass the kidney stone more quickly. Home remedies, such as apple cider vinegar, citrus fruit juices, and herbal chanca piedra can also help you pass a stone quickly.
How long do kidney stones last? ›
The length of time a stone can hang around is the primary reason that a person may feel like kidney stone symptoms come and go. Once you start feeling the pain of a kidney stone, it can take anywhere between one to four weeks for the stone to actually pass.
Does coffee cause kidney stones? ›
According to a 2021 study through the National Kidney Foundation, caffeine, whether in tea, soda, coffee, or alcohol, is protective and may decrease the risk of kidney stones. Even going from drinking 1 cup to 1.5 cups a day may reduce the odds of potential kidney stones by up to 40%.
Are bananas good for kidney stones? ›
Bananas may be a particularly helpful remedy against kidney stones, as they are rich in potassium, vitamin B6 and magnesium and low in oxalates. Studies have shown that consuming a banana per day can help reduce the likelihood of developing kidney problems.
What are the first warning signs of kidney stones? ›
Contact your provider if you have symptoms of a kidney stone:
- Severe pain in your back or side that will not go away.
- Blood in your urine.
- Fever and chills.
- Vomiting.
- Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy.
- A burning feeling when you urinate.
Avoid processed and fast foods, canned soups and vegetables, and lunch meats. Look for foods labeled: sodium free, salt free, very low sodium, low sodium, reduced or less sodium, light in sodium, no salt added, unsalted, and lightly salted.
How can you avoid getting a kidney stone? ›
Increase fluid intake to about two to three liters per day, depending on your activity level and rate of perspiration. Water is best, though citrus drinks such as lemonade and orange juice have also been shown to help prevent kidney stones. Limit salt/sodium intake to no more than 2,300 milligrams a day.
