Kidney Stones FAQ in Pittsburgh, PA and Weirton, WV
What Are Kidney Stones?
When high levels of minerals and salt exist in the kidneys, a clump of matter known as a kidney stone can form.
How Long Does It Take to Flush Out a Kidney Stone?
Stones smaller than 4 millimeters pass on their own 80 percent of the time. They take an average of 31 days to pass. Stones that are 4–6 mm are more likely to require some sort of treatment, but around 60 percent pass naturally, taking an average of 45 days.
How Will I Know When a Kidney Stone Is Passing?
As stones move into your ureters — the thin tubes that allow urine to pass from your kidneys to your bladder — signs and symptoms can result. Signs and symptoms of kidney stones being passed can include severe pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills and blood in your urine.
Which Fruits Are Good for Preventing Kidney Stones?
Citrus fruit, and their juice, can help reduce or block the formation of many stones due to naturally occurring citrate. Good sources of citrus include lemons, oranges, and grapefruit.
How Long After Passing a Kidney Stone Does the Pain Stop?
Once it reaches the bladder, the stone typically passes within a few days. However, pain may subside even if the stone is still in the ureter. It’s important to obtain imaging over time to make sure the stone has passed, because asymptomatic stones in the ureter can cause kidney damage over time.
Can Kidney Stones Grow Bigger?
Kidney stones can start small but can grow larger in size, even filling the inner hollow structures of the kidney. These are called “staghorn stones” and can cause kidney damage and/or perpetual urinary tract infections.
Is Milk Good for Kidney Stones?
Sometimes. Calcium-rich foods such as milk, yogurt, and some cheese can bind oxalate in the abdomen and decrease the absorption of oxalate into the bloodstream. This phenomenon can decrease the formation of calcium oxalate stones — which are the most common kind of stones. However, for other types of stones, ingesting more calcium does not have a protective stone effect.
What Does Passing a Kidney Stone Feel Like for a Woman?
Women feel pain in their abdomen, lower back, or groin as the stone passes through the narrow ureter and beyond. Passing the stone can also cause gastric discomfort, which is centered in the upper abdomen and can be dull and achy or throbbing pain. Some women describe passing a stone as a worse pain than natural childbirth!
Check out UroCoach’s Kidney Stone Playlist to get better educated!
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR18WiqMKENdfamMf0cKv0vVsnhmLo-x_&si=mC6EdzMYd-X6v37N