Kidney stones are not a laughing matter. People who have avoided this medical condition will often wonder what all the fuss is about over such a small stone. Trust me, this is one experience that you are better off going through life without. However, if you are experiencing symptoms, for kidney stone relief there is more than one kidney stones treatment that can help.
In many situations, the stone will end up coming out all by itself. On average, about five out of ten stones under 10mm can pass without help and that number increases dramatically for stones under 5mm. If the stone needs some help, there are quite a few options to explore to alleviate the condition.
The average amount of time that it takes for a stone to pass is about 2 weeks, give or take a week. When symptoms start to show up, there are common symptoms and treatments that just about everyone will have to go through. Knowing the process may not make things easier, but at least you will know what to expect.
Because pain is a natural part of the process, pain medications will be one of your best friends. For those that say they do not want to use them or can tough it out, they have obviously never had to deal with a kidney stone before. If the doctor prescribes pain medication, it is to make the process easier and allow the body to relax and pass the stone a little quicker and easier.
Fluids must be consumed in the proper amount. About eight to ten cups every day should be the norm. Staying hydrated is very important during this time because the stone will pass through the urinary tract. The less fluid that is in the body, the more friction (hence, more pain) that will be experienced.
If the stone is stubborn or too large to make it out on its own, it is time for the doctor to work their magic. Some basic procedures are things such as ESWL (shock waves break up the stone) and Ureteroscopy. The latter involves the insertion of a tube into the urinary tract to retrieve the stone. Needless to say, this can be a bit uncomfortable.
For a few patients, none of these things will be effective and surgery will be needed. However, this is something that happens very rarely for this condition. In order to avoid this, it is best to head right to the doctor as soon as symptoms start to arrive. Ideally, the stone is caught at a stage when it can pass on its own and it will all be over before you know it.