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Last Updated on October 31, 2025 by
Kidney stones are painful and common, affecting millions globally. Many wonder if you can poop out kidney stones. We’re here to clear up this myth and explain how these mineral deposits are passed.
Kidney stones are solid mineral deposits that form in the kidneys when urine becomes concentrated. They can’t leave the body through feces. Instead, they move through the urinary tract and are urinated out.
It’s important to understand how kidney stones form and pass. At Liv Hospital, we offer top-notch urological care. We help patients deal with this tough condition.
Can you poop out kidney stones? Get the definitive answer on how stones pass and the common confusion between urine and stool passage.
Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in the kidneys when urine gets too concentrated. This concentration lets minerals crystallize and stick together, forming stones. The process of forming kidney stones is complex and involves many factors.
Most kidney stones are made of minerals like calcium oxalate, uric acid, or struvite. The type of stone formed depends on the urine’s composition and certain medical conditions.
The formation of kidney stones starts with the concentration of minerals in the urine. When urine is too concentrated, minerals can crystallize and form small particles. Over time, these particles can grow into stones. The concentration of urine is a critical factor in the formation of kidney stones.
Several factors contribute to the concentration of urine, including dehydration, diet, and certain medical conditions. For instance, a diet high in animal protein, sodium, and sugar can increase the risk of forming kidney stones.
The crystallization process is central to the formation of kidney stones. When minerals in the urine crystallize, they form small crystals that can adhere to the kidney walls or other crystals, eventually forming a stone.
“The crystallization process is influenced by factors such as the concentration of minerals in the urine, the presence of substances that inhibit crystallization, and the pH of the urine.”
The following table summarizes the common types of kidney stones and their characteristics:
Type of Stone | Composition | Causes |
Calcium Oxalate Stones | Calcium and oxalate | Diet high in oxalate, dehydration |
Uric Acid Stones | Uric acid | Dehydration, diet high in animal protein |
Struvite Stones | Magnesium ammonium phosphate | Urinary tract infections |
Understanding the types of kidney stones and their causes can help in preventing their formation. Dietary modifications, adequate hydration, and managing underlying medical conditions are key in reducing the risk of developing kidney stones.
Many people wonder if you can pass kidney stones through feces. But first, we need to know how the body’s systems work. The urinary tract filters waste and makes urine. The digestive system breaks down food and gets rid of solid waste.
The urinary tract includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. It filters blood and removes waste, turning it into urine. The digestive system handles food, breaking it down and absorbing nutrients, then gets rid of solid waste.
Medical Expert, a nephrologist, explains, “It’s important to know the urinary and digestive systems are separate. This helps us understand how kidney stones leave the body.”
“The urinary system is designed to filter and remove waste through urination, not through the digestive tract.”
Kidney stones form in the kidneys and move through the urinary tract. They go from the kidneys to the ureters, then to the bladder. They are then passed out of the body through the urethra when you urinate. This process can be painful, mainly if the stones are big or stuck in the urinary tract.
Kidney stones only go through the urinary system, not the digestive system. So, they are passed out through urination, not bowel movements. Knowing this is key to managing and treating kidney stones right.
Who Gets Kidney Stones? Demographics and Risk Factors
About 1 in 10 people will get kidney stones at some point. This shows we need to know who’s at risk. Kidney stones are a big health issue, hitting many people around the world. Knowing who’s most likely to get them helps us prevent and treat them early.
Men between 30 and 40 are most often hit by kidney stones. But, more women are getting them, too, if they have a family history. The risk changes with age and gender, so it’s key to look at these when figuring out your risk.
Age Group | Male Incidence | Female Incidence |
20-30 | High | Moderate |
30-40 | Very High | High |
40-50 | High | Moderate |
Some health issues make you more likely to get kidney stones. These include:
If you have these, you’re at higher risk. It’s important to know this and take steps to prevent stones.
Our lifestyle choices play a big part in getting kidney stones. Diet, how much we drink, and exercise are all important. Eating too much sodium and animal protein can up your risk. Drinking enough water helps keep your urine diluted, which lowers the chance of stone formation.
Knowing about these risk factors and demographics helps us fight kidney stones better. Keeping a healthy lifestyle and being mindful of risks can help lower the number of stones.
Kidney stones come in different types and sizes. These factors affect how they pass and how they are treated. Knowing about these differences is key for both patients and doctors to handle kidney stone disease well.
Kidney stones are mainly divided into four types based on what they’re made of:
Each stone type has its own risk factors and prevention steps.
Small stones, under 4mm, often pass on their own. They usually take about 30 days to pass. But, how long it takes can vary based on how much you drink and your health.
Medium stones, 4 to 6mm, might pass naturally but take longer. They can be more painful. There’s a chance you might need medical help if they don’t pass.
Big stones, over 6mm, rarely pass on their own. They can cause a lot of pain or problems. You might need a procedure or surgery to get them out.
The size of a stone greatly affects if it can pass naturally and if you’ll need medical help.
Stone Size | Likelihood of Passing Naturally | Typical Treatment Approach |
Less than 4mm | High | Conservative management |
4-6mm | Moderate | Monitoring, possible intervention |
Greater than 6mm | Low | Medical intervention (e.g., lithotripsy, surgery) |
A study in a top urology journal says, “The size and location of kidney stones are key in choosing the right treatment.” This shows how important accurate diagnosis is in treating kidney stones.
“Managing kidney stones needs a full plan, considering the stone’s size, type, and the patient’s health.”
Kidney stones aren’t always a solo act; many people face multiple stones. This situation brings up key questions about managing and preventing these stones, even for those with stones in both kidneys.
Yes, it’s possible to have stones in both kidneys. Having a stone in one kidney doesn’t mean you can’t get one in the other. Factors like genetics, diet, and health conditions can play a role.
Handling multiple kidney stones needs a detailed plan. This includes changing your diet, drinking more water, and sometimes, medical help to ease symptoms and stop more stones from forming.
Knowing how stones come back is key to stopping them. People who’ve had stones before are more likely to get them again. To prevent this, making dietary changes, staying hydrated, and sometimes taking medicine can help.
Prevention Strategy | Description | Benefit |
Dietary Changes | Reducing intake of oxalate, sodium, and animal protein | Lowers risk of stone formation |
Adequate Hydration | Drinking plenty of water | Dilutes urine, reducing stone risk |
Medication | Using medications like thiazides or citrate | Reduces recurrence in high-risk individuals |
Kidney stones can be very painful. But, many people can pass them without surgery. The stone moves from the kidney to the urinary tract and out of the body. Knowing this process helps manage symptoms and understand what’s happening.
The time it takes to pass a stone depends on its size. Smaller stones are easier and faster to pass than larger ones.
Staying hydrated and following doctor’s advice helps pass the stone.
Passing a kidney stone can feel like anything from mild discomfort to severe pain. The stone can irritate the urinary tract, causing symptoms like:
After passing the stone, these symptoms usually go away. Straining urine to catch the stone is important. It helps figure out what kind of stone it is and how to prevent future stones.
Passing a kidney stone can be painful, but some people feel less pain. The pain depends on the stone’s size, location, and how sensitive you are to pain. Some stones cause a lot of pain as they move, while others may not hurt as much.
Doctors often suggest pain relievers to help with the pain. Drinking plenty of water and following their advice can also ease symptoms.
Kidney stones can cause a lot of discomfort. It’s important to know the pain and symptoms they bring. The pain from kidney stones is often very severe and can be very distressing.
The pain from kidney stones usually starts in the back or side, below the ribs. It can also spread to the lower abdomen or groin. This pain, called renal colic, can be very intense and may feel like waves.
Key areas where kidney stone pain is commonly felt include:
Yes, passing a kidney stone while urinating can be painful. The pain may be felt as the stone moves through the urinary tract. This is more noticeable when it goes through the narrower parts like the ureter.
The pain’s severity can change based on the stone’s size and location.
Yes, kidney stones can cause stomach pain. The pain can spread to the abdomen and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. This happens because the nerves in the kidneys and stomach are connected.
Other common symptoms of kidney stones include:
Knowing these symptoms can help people get medical help quickly. This is important for managing the condition and preventing complications.
To find out if someone has kidney stones, doctors use many steps. It’s important to know what’s wrong to treat it right.
First, doctors do a detailed check-up. They ask about your health history and do a physical exam. This helps them see if you might have kidney stones.
They will ask about your past health, family history, and what you eat. They also check your body for signs of kidney problems.
Imaging tests are key to finding kidney stones. The main ones are:
A study in the Journal of Urology says CT scans are best for finding kidney stones. They are very accurate (1).
Lab tests help figure out what kind of stone you have and why it formed. They include:
Test | Purpose |
Urinalysis | Detects infection, blood, or abnormalities in urine |
Stone Analysis | Determines the composition of the kidney stone |
Blood Tests | Checks for signs of infection or electrolyte imbalances |
“The diagnosis of kidney stones requires a complete approach, using medical history, physical exam, imaging, and lab tests.”
— Journal of Urology
By using all these tools, doctors can find out if you have kidney stones. Then, they can make a treatment plan just for you.
When kidney stones don’t pass on their own, different treatments are needed. Larger stones often need medical help to ease symptoms and avoid problems. Treatments range from medicines to surgery, based on the stone’s size and where it is.
For some, medicines can help with kidney stone symptoms. Alpha-blockers help relax the ureter muscles, making it easier for the stone to pass. Pain relief is also key, with options from over-the-counter to prescription medicines.
When medicines don’t work, less invasive methods are tried. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) uses shock waves to break the stone into smaller pieces. Ureteroscopy involves a small scope to remove the stone directly.
“The use of ESWL has revolutionized the treatment of kidney stones, making it a non-invasive option for many.”
For very large or obstructive stones, surgery is needed. Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) involves a small back incision to remove the stone from the kidney. It’s used for large stones that can’t be treated less invasively.
Knowing the treatment options helps patients make better choices. It’s important to talk to a healthcare provider to find the best treatment for you.
How to Manage Pain While Passing Kidney Stones
Managing pain is key when you have kidney stones. Knowing your options can really help. Passing a stone can hurt, but there are ways to ease the pain.
OTC pain relievers are often the first choice for kidney stone pain. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are top picks. Ibuprofen can reduce inflammation and ease pain. But, always follow the dosage and talk to your doctor, even if you’re healthy.
While OTC meds work for many, they might not be enough for everyone. If your pain is too much, your doctor might suggest other options.
For really bad pain, you might need prescription meds. Opioids are sometimes used for short-term pain relief. But, they can be addictive and have side effects, so they’re used carefully.
Your doctor might suggest other meds based on your health and situation. They’ll find the best choice for you.
There are also home remedies and comfort measures for pain. Drinking lots of water is key to flushing out the stone and easing pain. Using heat, like a warm bath or heating pad, can also help.
By using these methods, you can manage kidney stone pain better. It’s important to work with your doctor to find the best pain relief plan for you.
To prevent kidney stones, we need to change our diet, drink more water, and make lifestyle choices. Knowing how to do this can lower the chance of getting kidney stones again.
What we eat is key in preventing kidney stones. Making some simple changes can help a lot. For example, drinking more water is important, but we’ll talk about that later.
Drinking enough water is vital to prevent kidney stones. Water helps dilute urine, making it less likely for minerals to form stones. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day, but this can vary based on how active you are, where you live, and more.
In some cases, doctors might prescribe medicine to stop kidney stones from coming back. These can include:
It’s important to follow your doctor’s advice on medication. The right type and amount depends on your specific situation.
Changing our lifestyle can also help prevent kidney stones. These changes include:
By making these changes, we can lower our risk of getting kidney stones again.
Understanding kidney stones is key to preventing and treating them. We’ve looked at how they form, their types, and how they pass. We also talked about symptoms and treatment options.
We want to help readers manage this condition. We covered who gets kidney stones, how to pass them naturally, and treatment options. This includes when stones don’t pass on their own.
Preventing kidney stones is very important. We talked about diet changes, staying hydrated, and lifestyle adjustments. These can help lower the risk of getting stones.
In short, knowing about kidney stones is the first step to managing them. We hope this summary has helped you understand this condition better. It also shows how to prevent and treat it.
Yes, you do have to pee out kidney stones. The urinary tract helps get rid of them from your body.
Kidney stones are quite common worldwide. They affect many people, more in some groups than others.
Passing a small kidney stone might not hurt much. But, many people feel pain when they pass a stone. The pain’s intensity depends on the stone’s size and where it is.
Pain from kidney stones is usually felt on one side or back, below the ribs. It can also spread to the lower abdomen or groin. This pain can be very severe and may come with nausea and vomiting.
The severity of a kidney stone varies. Small stones might not cause much trouble, but big ones can be very painful. They can also block the flow of urine and lead to serious problems.
Yes, it’s possible to have stones in both kidneys. Treating both stones requires a detailed plan. This includes changing your diet, staying hydrated, and possibly medical treatments.
Passing a kidney stone can be painful. The pain’s intensity depends on the stone’s size and how sensitive you are to pain.
A 10cm stone is too big to pass on its own. Such large stones usually need medical help, like surgery, to be removed.
To manage pain, you can try over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription drugs. Drinking plenty of water and using comfort measures can also help.
Anyone can get kidney stones, but some ages are more at risk. Knowing the risks and taking steps to prevent them can help avoid stones.
Yes, it’s possible to have stones in both kidneys at once. This situation needs careful management and possibly more aggressive treatment to avoid complications.
National Center for Biotechnology Information.. 7 Best OTC Prostate Medicines for BPH Relief. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8659259/).
