Kidney stones is a relatively common condition which is experienced by millions of people worldwide. The pain that develops because of kidney stones is often unbearable, and comes extremely high in intensity. For many people, the experience of passing a kidney stone is almost a journey, and quite a long, tedious, and painful one at that. However, what happens after one passes the stone? Is it possible to still experience pain after the stone has exited the body?
In this blog, we will explore the answer to this question and the other questions that you may have regarding what to expect after paying a kidney stone.
What Are Kidney Stones?
It is common to directly correlate having kidney stones with the pain experienced, but to get a clearer understanding of the condition, we must examine what kidney stones are in detail. As previously mentioned, Kidney stones is a hard mineral deposit which renal calculi form in the kidneys. They are often made predominantly of calcium oxalate, but other factors such as uric acids and even struvite can lead to their formation. Stones come in variety to sizes, in which small stones are able to pass without any difficulties but larger stones tend to cause great levels of pain are need some form of medical attention.
Kidney stones are formed with an undue concentration of the constituents of urine. Dehydration, excessive salt or sugar diet, obesity, high blood pressure medications and diabetes may all contribute to the possibility of kidney stones forming.
What Does Passing a Kidney Stone Feel Like?
The most painful experiences a person can go through is commonly when they are passing a kidney stone. The pain starts as the stone shifts from the kidney to the ureter, where the ureter opens to the kidney (a tube that connects the kidney to the bladder). As this happens, the ureter experiences spasms that makes the person feel a cramping pain which is also sharp and comes in waves.
This pain is known as renal colic. When kidney stones are traveling, renal colic often stems from the lower back or side and even extends towards the groin area. Additionally, The intensity of these experienced pains greatly consists on the size and position of the stone. While certain individuals can comfortably pass smaller stones, larger stones can lead to pain so severe it could need immediate surgical assistance.
In the instance when the stone travels to the bladder and is urinated, the pain might ease rather swiftly. But, that is not always the case.
Is Pain After Passing a Kidney Stone Normal?
The answer is yes, there is a possibility that you experienced pain after passing a kidney stone. Many people find relief once the stone has exited the urinary system, however, there are other reasons why one may still feel pain after the stone has passed:
1. Inflammation After Passing the Stone
Long after the stone has passed, there is still a possibility that some irritation or inflammation remains in the urinary tract. The passageway of the stone through the ureter can cause the lining of the urinary tract to swell and result in inflammation. The body needs to recover from this irritation which leads to discomfort for several days after the stone has been removed.
2. The Stone’s Remains
In the case that the stone was too large, the residue may remain in the urinary tract even after the stone has exited the body. As these portions travel through the body, they can cause pain, irritation, or discomfort. This often occurs when the stone is rough or jagged as the sharp edges have the potential to scrape the internal walls of the urinary tract.
3. Infection
Sometimes an infection may occur in the urinary tract after a kidney stone is passed. If the stone was obstructing urine flow, there is a possibility that bacteria could have been trapped, resulting in UTI or even a kidney infection. Fever or discomfort along with continued pain or other symptoms of infection can follow even after the stone has passed. If you are suffering from an infection, it is crucial to consult with a doctor as lack of medical attention can result in further complications.
4. Muscle Spasms
The muscles surrounding the urinary tract can go into spasms and become constricted while passing a kidney stone. These spasms can be painful themselves and can continue for a while even after the stone has passed. To manage the pain, it might be necessary to relieve this with muscle relaxants or other types of medicines.
5. Scarring or Stricture
In some exceptional cases, enormous stones tend to cause damage when being passed down the ureter resulting in scar tissue or a narrowed scar (stricture) in the urinary tract. This can give way to constant chronic pain and difficulty in urinating. Some amount of scar tissue is part of the healing process and in certain scenarios, medical treatment is needed for the stricture.
6. Recurring Stones
Sadly, kidney stones remain a source of trouble because they tend to recur. For every stone you pass, there is at least a chance of several more stones developing in the coming months and years. The pain that you experience after passing a kidney stone might be associated to the forming of another stone, left undiagnosed. Therefore, in the event that you develop kidney stones, it is highly advisable to consult your doctor in order to help minimize the chances of your stones recurring.
When to Seek Medical Help
For those still feeling pain subsequent to passing a kidney stone, they need to address what type of pain and symptoms the kidney stone is presenting with. You ought to seek help for a medical professional in the following situations:
Pain becomes unbearable, or just does not improve after some days.
- You observe blood being passed in urine.
- Fever or chills develop (these symptoms may show along with an infection).
- Willingness to urinate is not matched by the ability to pass urine, or feeling of not fully emptying bladder is present.
- Feeling, but not limited to, vomiting and nausea that just does not cease.
- Pain is one-sided, with an additional sharp pain felt down the leg and/or groin region.
These signs could mean that there is some infection, possible scarring, or even some other stone which are the complications.
How to Manage Pain After Passing a Kidney Stone?
If you have pain after passing a kidney stone, hydration, warm compresses, follow up care, and pain medication can help relieve discomfort:
Hydration: Staying hydrated by drinking water allows the body to flush out other remaining particles. This also helps the urinary tract heal faster.
Pain Medication: Pain relievers that do not require a prescription, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, are helpful for managing mild and moderate pain. Your doctor will be able to prescribe stronger medications if you require help with more severe pain.
Warm Compresses: Placing a warm compress to your lower back or abdomen can help ease pain and relax your muscles even more.
Follow-Up Care: If you start to feel any concerning symptoms or your pain does not lessen, then follow up with a professional.
Talk To Our Expert Urologist
Although passing a kidney stone may bring some relief, there may be pain which lingers on for some time. This can even extend to inflammation, fragmented stones, infection, or muscle contractions. While most cases of post-action pain ease with time, it is essential to consult a professional in the event of accompanying severe symptoms. Dr. Deepanshu Gupta, an esteemed urologist, is equipped with the knowledge and experience to help manage any pain which stems from kidney stones and works towards preventing them from recurring. Patients are at ease knowing that under Dr. Gupta’s complex and deep understanding of urological conditions, they will receive the best treatment available for kidney stones.
Contact Dr. Deepanshu Gupta today for an evaluation if you still find yourself struggling with pain even after passing a kidney stone.