How to Pass Kidney Stones Quickly

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Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in one or both of your kidneys. When your urine has high concentrations of minerals and salts and too little fluid, these substances can crystallize and form a stone. Kidney stones can range in size; some are as small as a grain of sand, and others are as large as a pearl or golf ball.

Small kidney stones may travel through your urinary tract and pass without you even noticing. But, larger kidney stones can get stuck in your ureters—the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder—and block urine flow. When this happens, you may develop symptoms such as painful urination, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, fever, or bloody, cloudy, or smelly urine.

Generally, kidney stones get larger until you expel them from your body through your urine. Passing a kidney stone can be very painful, but you should begin to feel better as soon as it passes. Fortunately, there are a variety of natural remedies and medical treatments that can help you minimize the pain quickly.

Natural Remedies

Natural remedies can help kidney stones travel through your urinary tract and pass through your urine for much-needed relief. It’s always best to contact a healthcare provider when you develop symptoms of a kidney stone before trying at-home remedies on your own. Depending on your symptoms, your provider can determine whether natural remedies are appropriate or if it's better to try medical treatments first.

Drinking Plenty of Water

Staying hydrated is an important part way to manage and prevent kidney stones. Drinking enough water dilutes the concentration of minerals, salts, and other substances in your urine, which helps prevent kidney stones from forming or getting larger.

Aim to drink 8 to 12 cups of water daily to help your body flush out the kidney stone. Limit your coffee, tea, and soda intake to 1 to 2 cups daily to prevent dehydration, which increases the risk of kidney stones.

Trying Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) contains acetic acid, which is a compound that may reduce the size of kidney stones and make the stone easier to pass. ACV lowers the amount of calcium oxalate in urine, which is a major component of many kidney stones. ACV also has anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce pain and inflammation associated with kidney stones.

If you try ACV for passing a kidney stone, limit your intake to 20 milliliters (mL) or four teaspoons daily. High amounts of apple cider vinegar can decrease potassium levels in your body and cause tooth decay and an upset stomach.

Consuming Citrus Fruit Juices

Citrus fruit juices, including lemon, lime, and orange juice, may help decrease the size of kidney stones and help them pass more quickly. Citrus fruits all contain high amounts of citric acid—a compound that binds to calcium, which is a mineral found in many kidney stones. Studies show that drinking just four ounces of lemon juice per day can prevent kidney stones from forming.

Drinking citrus fruit juices can also keep you hydrated and dilute the concentration of stone-forming minerals in your urine. Staying hydrated also helps flush out small stones or prevent them from growing. While most citrus fruit juices can be helpful when you have a kidney stone, evidence suggests that grapefruit juice increases the risk of kidney stone formation—so avoiding this juice when trying to pass a stone is recommended.

What About Chanca Piedra?

Chanca piedra (Phyllanthus niruri) is a tropical plant with a long history of use in traditional medicine for treating kidney stones. However, chanca piedra is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat any condition.

Medical Treatments

Home remedies may be enough for passing smaller kidney stones, but larger kidney stones may require medical intervention to manage symptoms and help pass the stone. Common treatments for more common types of kidney stones include:

• Medication: Your healthcare provider may prescribe Flomax (tamsulosin), which relaxes the ureter muscles to facilitate the passing of kidney stones.

• Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL): SWL uses sound waves (shock waves) directly on the stone to break it into small pieces and make it easier to pass.

• Ureteroscopy (URS): URS involves inserting a long, thin telescope (called a ureteroscope) that is equipped with a camera and tools into the urethra. Once it's in your urethra, the ureteroscope will travel through the bladder, ureters, and kidney (depending on the location of the stone) to grab and remove the stone. Large stones may require laser therapy to break them into smaller pieces for easier removal.

• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL): For larger stones, your healthcare provider may perform a PCNL, which involves making a small incision (cut) in your back to access the stone with a rigid telescope (nephroscope), enter the kidney, and remove the stone surgically.

Tips for Managing Pain

The pain of a kidney stone can be severe and debilitating. You may have intense cramping in your abdomen, back, or down the side of your torso. As the stone travels through your urinary tract, you may feel pain in your groin or genitals before it passes. Waiting for a kidney stone to pass can be agonizing, but there are ways to manage the pain until it makes its exit.

Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen) can effectively reduce pain and inflammation. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is also an effective pain reliever but does not reduce inflammation. Follow the dosage instructions on the packaging and talk to your healthcare provider before using NSAIDs for pain management if you currently take prescription medications.

Heat Therapy

A heating pad or hot water bottle on your aching back or abdomen may help ease pain related to kidney stones. Heat therapy promotes blood flow, relaxes muscles, and may ease your pain temporarily. Avoid direct contact with the heating pad and your skin by wearing a shirt or placing a towel or cloth under the heating pad.

Warm Bath or Shower

While a warm bath or shower won’t help your kidney stone pass any sooner, relaxing in warm water may help reduce muscle tension and pain. Taking a hot shower can also boost your mood.

Relaxation Techniques

It can be hard to relax when you're in pain, but studies show that relaxation techniques are an effective pain management strategy. Meditation, deep breathing, visualization, and yoga can relax your mind and body, providing much-needed relief from the pain and stress of a kidney stone.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Some kidney stones pass without medical treatments, but many require medical treatments to help them pass through your urinary tract. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Severe, unrelenting pain in your back or side

• Bloody urine

• Fever

• Vomiting

• Cloudy or smelly urine

• Burning sensation when you pee 

How to Prevent Kidney Stones

People often describe the pain of passing a kidney stone as one of the worst types of pain a person can experience. Unfortunately, once you’ve had one kidney stone, you have a higher risk of developing stones in the future. The good news is that making simple lifestyle adjustments can help prevent kidney stones and protect your overall health. Consider the following prevention strategies:

• Drink water: Drinking between 10 and 12 cups of fluid daily dilutes the concentration of minerals and salts in your urine. Water is the best choice, but other liquids (e.g., herbal tea or coffee) also count towards your daily hydration. Limit sugary and carbonated beverages, especially sodas and colas containing phosphoric acid—as these drinks may promote kidney stone formation.

• Eat a balanced diet: Certain foods promote the growth of kidney stones. Eating fewer animal proteins (e.g., red meat), limiting your intake of sodium and processed sugars, and increasing your intake of fiber and vegetables can help lower your risk of kidney stones.

• Exercise regularly: Regular physical activity may help prevent kidney stones. Excess weight can sometimes lead to an increased risk of developing kidney stones. Research suggests regular physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight that is right for your body and lower your risk of stones.

• Citrate supplementation: Your healthcare provider may recommend or prescribe potassium citrate supplements if you have a history of certain kidney stones (e.g., calcium or uric acid). Supplementing with potassium citrate increases citrate levels in your urine, which protects against kidney stones. Talk to your healthcare provider to discuss whether these supplements are right for you.

A Quick Review

Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form when your urine has high concentrations of these substances. The longer a kidney stone stays in your kidney, ureters, or bladder, the larger it can become. 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.

Passing a kidney stone can be a very painful experience. Using over-the-counter pain medicines or heat therapy can provide temporary pain relief until the stone passes. If your pain doesn't go away or you start experiencing symptoms like fever or vomiting, contact your healthcare provider. They can recommend medical treatments to help you feel better sooner.

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