When a kidney stone is detected, depending on its size, type, location, and cause, your doctor may recommend waiting for the stone to pass naturally, without medical or surgical intervention. The waiting period for natural expulsion is generally between four and six weeks. If it has not been expelled within this time, your urologist may ask you to return to re-evaluate the treatment plan, whether to continue waiting for natural expulsion or to plan an intervention to remove the stone.
When can a stone be expelled naturally?
Your doctor will send you home to wait for natural expulsion only if it is safe for you to tolerate the pain, you show no signs of infection, and the stone is small enough to be eliminated with urine.
What does it feel like to pass a stone?
When you have a stone, the most common symptoms you may experience are:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain in the kidneys, abdomen, lower back, and sides of the body. The pain may increase when urinating. Take the medications your doctor has prescribed.
- Blood in the urine. The color can range from light pink to reddish, and sometimes it can even have a brownish hue, but you should be able to see through it. (Medications that relieve the burning sensation during urination can sometimes change its color to orange or blue). If bleeding increases significantly, contact your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room for examination.
- If you have a fever or chills, consult your doctor immediately.
During expulsion, the stone's journey through the urinary system can cause pain of varying intensity and discomfort. If the pain is severe, your doctor may prescribe painkillers to alleviate it and a type of medication called alpha-blockers that help relax the muscles of the urinary tract to facilitate the passage of the stone.
It is very important that you inform your doctor of all medications, supplements (vitamins and minerals), or other natural remedies you are taking, as some could promote stone formation or interact with the treatment your urologist will give you.
What can I do to facilitate this expulsion?
Depending on the position and size of the stone, your doctor may recommend drinking plenty of water to help expel the stone through urine. They may also recommend Lit-Control products depending on your type of stone to prevent it from growing during the weeks of waiting for spontaneous expulsion.
However, if you have not yet seen your doctor, you should know that 80% of kidney stones are made of calcium oxalate, and it is advisable to use products with phytate, magnesium, and polyphenols that keep your urinary pH balanced and prevent crystallization.
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