How to Remove Kidney Stones

Kidney stones, also known as Renal Lithiasis or nephrolithiasis, occur when tiny mineral crystals form in the kidneys. Typically, these crystals travel from the kidneys to the urinary tract and are expelled through urine. However, sometimes the small crystals remain in the kidneys, eventually combining with others to form larger stones. Most kidney stones consist of calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate, or a combination of both. It's advisable to see a doctor if you have kidney stones. A doctor or urologist can guide you through treatment options. However, some people also treat kidney stones at home.

Drink plenty of water and other fluids. Drinking ample amounts of water helps you urinate frequently, aiding in the expulsion of kidney stones. Pure water is the best option. Drinking enough water can flush out up to 8 out of 10 kidney stones. Therefore, prioritize this method before exploring other treatments.

• The American Institute of Medicine recommends that women consume about 9 cups (2.2 liters) of water daily, and men should aim for approximately 13 cups (3 liters).
• Ensure you drink enough to keep your urine pale yellow or clear. This indicates you're staying properly hydrated.

Drink lemon water or cranberry juice. Opt for low-sugar or homemade versions. Lemons and cranberries are rich in citric acid, which helps prevent the crystals from growing larger and forming new kidney stones.

• Avoid dark beer. Dark beers contain oxalates, which can contribute to the formation of kidney stones later.

Take pain relievers if necessary. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used for relief. Common NSAIDs include Ibuprofen (Motrin is particularly effective), Naproxen (Aleve), and Aspirin. All of these are widely available NSAIDs. Children under 18 should avoid Aspirin due to its link to Reye's syndrome, a serious condition that causes acute brain damage.

• If the kidney stone is large and causing significant pain, you may need stronger prescription painkillers. A doctor will be able to better diagnose the situation and prescribe the right treatment.

Know when to see a doctor. Most kidney stones will pass if you stay patient and hydrate. However, about 15% of cases require medical intervention. See a doctor if you experience any of the following:

• Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs can become more severe if you have kidney stones.
• You’ve had a kidney transplant, have a weakened immune system, or only have one kidney.
• You’re pregnant. Treatment for kidney stones during pregnancy depends on the stage of the pregnancy.
• You suspect the kidney stone is obstructing the urinary tract. Signs of a blockage include reduced urine flow, frequent urination at night, and pain on one side.

Take medication or consider methods for removing kidney stones if the stone remains in the kidney. If the kidney stone doesn’t pass through urine, you may need medication or a procedure to remove it.

• Shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) is an ideal method for removing stones smaller than 2 cm. However, this technique is not suitable for pregnant women as it requires X-ray imaging to locate the stone and may not work on larger stones.
• For stones in the ureter, doctors may perform ureteroscopy. In this method, a small camera is inserted into the ureter to visualize the stone, followed by a basket passed through the bladder to remove it.
• For large or irregularly shaped stones (larger than 2 cm), the doctor may opt for percutaneous nephrolithotomy or nephrolithotripsy. After anesthesia, a small incision is made in your back to remove or break up the stone.
• If your kidney stones are caused by high calcium levels in your urine (hypercalciuria), the doctor might prescribe diuretics, orthophosphate, bisphosphonates, or, less commonly, calcium channel blockers.
• If you have gout, the doctor may prescribe Allopurinol.

Avoid consuming sugar, soda, and corn syrup. Sugar impedes the absorption of calcium and magnesium in the body, which can lead to kidney stones. Fructose, found in table sugar and corn syrup, has a high fructose content, which increases the risk of kidney stone formation. To maintain a healthy lifestyle and prevent kidney stones, you should try to reduce your sugar intake.

• Some lemon-flavored sodas like 7UP and Sprite contain high levels of citric acid. While sugary drinks should be avoided, some colorless sodas can help increase the citric acid content in your body.

Exercise regularly. Engage in at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. Moderate-intensity physical activities have been shown to reduce the risk of kidney stones by 31%.

• Try to dedicate 150 minutes per week to moderate-intensity aerobic exercises, such as walking, jogging, or gardening.

Limit animal protein intake to 170 grams (or less) per day. Animal protein, especially from red meat, increases the risk of kidney stone formation, particularly uric acid stones. You should limit your animal protein consumption to no more than 170 grams daily – about the size of your palm or a deck of cards – to lower the risk of kidney stones.

• Red meats, organ meats, and seafood are rich in purines. Purines boost the body's production of uric acid, contributing to kidney stone formation. Eggs and fish also contain purines, although in smaller amounts than red meats and seafood.
• Consider getting your protein from alternative sources such as calcium-rich dairy products or legumes. Legumes provide fiber and phytates – compounds that help prevent kidney stone formation. However, be cautious with soybeans as they contain oxalates.

Ensure adequate calcium intake, but avoid supplements. Reducing calcium intake might seem like a good idea because many kidney stones are composed of calcium. However, research shows that a diet too low in calcium can actually increase the risk of kidney stones. Therefore, you should aim to include various dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese in your diet to meet your daily calcium requirements.

• Children aged 4-8 need 1000 mg of calcium daily. Children aged 9-18 require 1300 mg daily. Adults aged 19 and older need at least 1000 mg per day. Women over 50 and men over 70 should consume 1200 mg of calcium daily.
• Unless recommended by a doctor, avoid using calcium supplements. Calcium obtained through food does not increase the risk of kidney stones, but excessive intake of calcium from supplements can increase the risk.

Follow a “low-oxalate” diet. The most common type of kidney stone is composed of calcium oxalate. Therefore, avoiding foods high in oxalates may help prevent kidney stones in the future. Limit your oxalate intake to 40-50 mg per day.

• Consume foods containing oxalates together with foods rich in calcium. Oxalates and calcium are more likely to bind together before reaching the kidneys, thus reducing the risk of kidney stones.
• Foods high in oxalates (over 10 mg per serving) include nuts, most berries, wheat, figs, grapes, oranges, beans, beets, carrots, celery, eggplant, kale, leeks, olives, okra, peppers, potatoes, spinach, sweet potatoes, and zucchini.
• Drinks high in oxalates (over 10 mg per serving) include dark beer, black tea, chocolate-based drinks, soy milk, and instant coffee.
• The body can metabolize large amounts of vitamin C – such as vitamin C from supplements – into oxalates. Unless advised by a doctor, avoid taking vitamin C supplements.

Avoid sudden fasting. Sudden fasting increases the levels of uric acid in the blood, which in turn raises the risk of kidney stones. High-protein diets, such as the Atkins diet, particularly affect the kidneys. Therefore, you should avoid following this type of diet.

• In general, a balanced and healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and lean protein in moderation will help you stay healthy and prevent kidney stones.

Be extra cautious if you have a history of kidney stones. Research shows that about half of individuals who have had kidney stones will experience a recurrence within the first 7 years. Therefore, it's essential to take preventive measures if you've previously had kidney stones to reduce the risk of recurrence.

• Maintain a healthy diet and stick to a proper eating plan. Establish a diet rich in vitamins and other nutrients while avoiding fast food and foods high in saturated fats.
• There is little to no scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of “natural” ingredients like dandelion, apple cider vinegar, rose hips, and asparagus in treating kidney stones.

• Do not avoid urinating simply because of the fear of pain. Urination is crucial in helping to expel kidney stones.