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Last Updated on October 31, 2025 by
Kidney stone passage is a common issue in the U.S., affecting about 6-11 percent of people at some point. It can cause ct scan kidney stones in toilet that comes and goes without warning.
Drinking enough water is key to passing kidney stones. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases says staying hydrated is essential. This article will cover how to pass kidney stones, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in the kidneys. They can cause a lot of pain, nausea, and vomiting. If not treated, they can lead to serious health issues.
Kidney stones are made of minerals and salts that form in the kidneys. The main minerals are calcium, oxalate, and uric acid. Not drinking enough water can make these minerals more likely to form stones.
Key factors contributing to kidney stone formation include:
There are several types of kidney stones, each with its own causes and risk factors.
| Type of Stone | Cause | Characteristics |
| Calcium Stones | Mostly calcium oxalate | Often associated with high oxalate intake or low calcium intake |
| Uric Acid Stones | Excess uric acid in the urine | More common in people who eat a diet high in meat, seafood, and sweets |
| Cystine Stones | Genetic disorder causing cystine leakage into the urine | Rare, often requiring specific medical management |
| Struvite Stones | Urinary tract infections (UTIs) | Can grow quickly and become quite large |
Kidney stones can vary in size, from small to large. The size of the stone depends on the concentration of minerals in the urine. Other substances can also affect how stones form.
Knowing the size and type of kidney stone is important for treatment. Some stones may pass on their own, but others might need medical help to avoid serious problems.
It’s important to know the signs of kidney stones to get help quickly. These stones can cause different symptoms that change in how bad they are and how often they happen. Knowing what to look for is key.
Kidney stones often show clear signs. One big one is sharp pain in the back, sides, or groin. This pain can be very strong and may make you feel sick to your stomach. The pain from kidney stones is not always there; it can come and go as the stone moves.
The pain’s feel can change, but it usually starts in the back or side. It then moves to the lower belly or groin. Knowing these signs is important for figuring out if you have kidney stones.
The pain from kidney stones is often not steady. This is because the stone moves in the urinary tract. As it moves, it can block, irritate, or stretch the tract, causing pain. This pain can be severe and really bad, so it’s important to know its patterns.
Knowing that kidney stone pain comes and goes helps people get the right medical help. It’s not just how bad the pain is, but also how it changes that tells us about kidney stones.
Cramping is another symptom of kidney stones. This cramping happens because the stone moves and the body tries to get rid of it. The cramping can be severe and really uncomfortable, often with the pain.
Knowing that cramping is a sign of kidney stones helps people deal with it better. It’s important to listen to your body and get medical help if the cramping is bad or keeps coming back.
Kidney stones can change how your urine looks and how often you need to go. These changes might worry you, but knowing why they happen can help.
Dark urine is a sign of kidney stones. It might look darker or even brown because of blood or concentrated urine. Dehydration makes urine darker because it concentrates it. Kidney stones can also hurt the urinary tract, causing bleeding and dark urine.
Blood in the urine, or hematuria, is common with kidney stones. It can be tiny, only seen in lab tests, or big enough to change the urine’s color. Hematuria is scary, but it’s often seen with kidney stones because of the stone’s roughness on the urinary tract.
Seeing blood in your urine means you should see a doctor. It might mean you need medical help.
Kidney stones can also mess with how often you need to pee. You might pee more or feel like you need to go right away. This is because the stone blocks the urine flow, making you feel like you need to go more.
| Symptom | Description | Possible Cause |
| Dark Urine | Urine appears darker or brown | Concentrated urine, presence of blood |
| Blood in Urine | Visible or microscopic blood | Irritation or injury to the urinary tract |
| Increased Urination Frequency/Urgency | More frequent or urgent urination | Obstruction of normal urine flow by the stone |
Knowing about these changes can help you spot kidney stones and get help. If you’re seeing these signs, see a doctor right away. They can check you out and figure out what to do next.
Kidney stones start their journey through the urinary system. We’ll look at how they move from the kidney to the bladder. We’ll also see what happens when they get there.
Kidney stones travel a complex path through the urinary tract. They form in the kidney and then move through the ureter. The ureter is a narrow tube that connects the kidney to the bladder.
The ureter’s walls contract and relax like waves. This helps push the stone down. But, it can hurt, mainly if the stone is big or has sharp edges.
As the stone moves, it might block the flow of urine. This can cause severe pain in the flank or lower back. The pain might also spread to the groin.
The pain can come and go. This is because the ureter is trying to move the stone along.
When a kidney stone reaches the bladder, it usually goes out with urine. But, sometimes, stones can stay in the bladder. This can happen if the stone is big or if the bladder isn’t working right.
Stones in the bladder can cause ongoing symptoms. These include needing to pee a lot, feeling urgent, or feeling uncomfortable. In some cases, these stones might need medical help to avoid problems like infections or damage to the bladder.
It’s important to understand how kidney stones move and can stay in the bladder. This helps manage symptoms and prevent serious issues. We’ll keep looking into how to handle kidney stones in the next parts.
Diagnosing kidney stones involves several steps. These include looking at the patient’s medical history, doing a physical exam, and using imaging tests. When someone shows symptoms of kidney stones, doctors follow a specific process. This helps confirm the diagnosis and plan the right treatment.
The first step is a detailed medical history and physical exam. Doctors ask about symptoms and any past health issues. They also check for tenderness in the flank area, which could point to kidney stones.
Key components of the medical evaluation include:
Imaging tests are vital for diagnosing kidney stones. They let doctors see the stones and their size and location. Common tests include:
| Imaging Test | Description | Advantages |
| CT Scan | Computed Tomography scan providing detailed cross-sectional images | High sensitivity and specificity for detecting kidney stones |
| Ultrasound | Non-invasive test using sound waves to visualize kidneys and stones | No radiation exposure, quick, and relatively low cost |
| X-ray | Plain radiograph that can detect radiopaque stones | Quick and widely available, but less sensitive than CT |
A diagram of kidney stones can help patients understand their condition. It shows the stones’ location, size, and type. This visual aid helps explain the diagnosis and treatment plan during consultations.
Understanding your diagnosis is key to effective treatment. By combining medical evaluation, imaging tests, and visual aids, doctors can provide personalized care for patients with kidney stones.
Identifying a passed kidney stone can give you insights into its makeup. This helps in planning how to avoid future stones. We’re here to help you through this process.
Kidney stones come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. The stone’s color can tell you what it’s made of.
Stones can be yellow, brown, or even black. The color shows what materials the stone is made of.
Yes, some kidney stones are dark. This is because of their makeup. Stones with certain compounds can look darker.
Common colors and their possible causes include:
| Color | Possible Composition |
| Yellow or Light Brown | Often related to uric acid stones or calcium oxalate stones |
| Dark Brown or Black | May indicate the presence of certain compounds or older stones |
| White or Gray | Could be calcium phosphate stones |
Black kidney stones are rare. They might mean you have certain health issues. Black stones could mean there’s more of certain substances in them.
To find a passed kidney stone, you need to catch it right. Use a strainer or a special device when you pee to catch the stone.
After catching it, you can test the stone to see what it’s made of. Knowing this helps figure out why you got the stone and how to avoid more.
Understanding your stone’s characteristics helps you and your doctor make a plan. This plan aims to stop new stones from forming.
Medical treatments can help a lot when passing kidney stones. These stones can hurt a lot and sometimes need help to move out. We’ll look at some treatments that can make this process easier.
Flomax, or tamsulosin, is used for an enlarged prostate. But it also helps with kidney stones. It relaxes the muscles in the ureter, making it easier for stones to move.
Yes, Flomax can help pass kidney stones faster and with less pain. It relaxes the ureter muscles, reducing discomfort. But, always talk to a doctor to see if it’s right for you.
There are other medicines for kidney stone symptoms or to help them pass. These include pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Sometimes, medicines are used to shrink the stone or prevent new ones.
Always listen to your doctor about treating kidney stones. They can give you a plan that fits your needs.
Passing kidney stones involves several steps to ease pain and discomfort. We’ll guide you through preparation and the process. This ensures you have the info to manage this tough condition.
Before trying to pass kidney stones, prepare your body. Drinking lots of water is key. Increase your fluid intake to help flush out the stones.
Hydration Tips:
To pee out kidney stones, create a passage-friendly environment. This includes hydration, pain management, and sometimes medical help.
Key Factors to Consider:
Kidney stones can sometimes break up in the bladder. But it’s not always the case. The stone’s size, composition, and your health play a role.
To better understand the process, let’s look at some key statistics related to kidney stone passage:
| Stone Size | Chance of Passing | Typical Treatment |
| Less than 5mm | High | Hydration, pain management |
| 5mm-10mm | Moderate | Medical therapy, possible intervention |
| Greater than 10mm | Low | Medical intervention, surgery |
By understanding these factors and taking the right steps, you can safely and effectively pass kidney stones.
Managing kidney stones needs a mix of home remedies and lifestyle changes. These steps can help ease symptoms and stop new stones from forming.
Drinking enough water is key in managing kidney stones. It helps flush out stones and stops new ones. We suggest drinking 8-10 glasses of water daily.
Changing your diet can help manage kidney stones. Some foods can prevent stones, while others may increase the risk.
Managing pain is vital when dealing with kidney stones. Home remedies can offer relief, alongside medical treatments.
By using these home remedies and lifestyle changes, you can manage kidney stones better. This may also lower the chance of future stones.
When kidney stones can’t pass on their own, doctors must step in to avoid problems. Some stones need more than just waiting for them to go away. This is to keep you from facing serious health issues.
Not all kidney stones hurt. But, even if they don’t, they can cause big problems. Non-painful kidney stones can lead to infections, kidney damage, or blockages in the urinary tract. It’s important to treat these stones, even if they don’t hurt.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is a treatment that breaks up stones with shock waves. This makes it easier for the body to pass them out. It works best for stones smaller than 2 cm.
ESWL is done without surgery and you can go home the same day. But, how well it works depends on the stone’s size, location, and type.
For big stones or those causing a lot of pain, surgery might be needed. The type of surgery depends on the stone and your health.
Seeking medical help for kidney stones is key. Early treatment can prevent serious problems and damage.
Passing kidney stones is painful and distressing. It’s important to know the causes, symptoms, and treatments. We’ve covered many aspects of kidney stones, from symptoms to treatments and home remedies.
Preventing kidney stones is key. Drinking plenty of water is essential. It helps dilute urine and lowers mineral concentration that can form stones. Eating less sodium and more fruits and veggies also helps prevent stones.
Managing conditions like hyperparathyroidism or urinary tract infections is important for long-term management. Regular check-ups with a healthcare provider are vital. They help monitor for complications and adjust treatment plans.
By following these strategies, you can lower your risk of kidney stones. This helps reduce discomfort. Effective prevention and management are key to staying healthy and feeling well.
Flomax, also known as tamsulosin, relaxes muscles in the prostate and bladder neck. This makes it easier to pass a kidney stone.
Kidney stones move from the kidney to the ureter, then to the bladder. They leave the body through the urethra. This journey can be painful, causing discomfort and symptoms.
Yes, kidney stones can stay in the kidney. Sometimes, they don’t cause symptoms. But, if they’re large or block the flow, they may need treatment.
Symptoms include severe side or back pain, pain in the lower abdomen or groin, nausea, vomiting, and changes in urination.
To pass a kidney stone, drink plenty of water. Flomax can also help relax muscles, making it easier to pass the stone.
Kidney stones can be dark or black. Their color can hint at their composition.
Yes, stones can break up in the bladder, thanks to treatments like Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL).
Yes, Flomax helps relax muscles. This makes it easier to pass stones, even those 5mm or larger.
Dark urine may indicate kidney stones. It could mean there’s blood or other substances in the urine.
Yes, even without pain, kidney stones are a concern. They may cause complications or show an underlying issue.
Use a fine-mesh sieve or a stone collection kit to strain urine. Then, analyze the stone’s composition.
