The passing of a kidney stone can cause intense pain, but the good thing is, some of the small stones pass on their own without surgery or heavy treatment. But still, if you are in pain, the question that naturally comes to our mind is “how long will it take to pass? And how will I know when it’s over”?
Some signs will help you to know when a kidney stone is passing, or whether you should wait or seek medical help. This blog will help or guide you to understand the signs and how long it can take to pass.
What exactly are kidney stones, and why do they form?
The kidney stones are hard buildups made of salt and minerals that form when your urine becomes compressed with calcium, oxalate, and uric acid. Stones can develop when there’s less water and more crystal-forming substances.
Common causes include:
- Dehydration
- High salt or sugar intake
- Family history of stones
- Certain medical conditions
How do you know when a kidney stone is close to passing?
There are several hints that your body gives you while the kidney stone is close to passing, some of them are:
- Pain That Moves Lower in Your Body
The pain starts from near your back or ribs and then travels toward your lower abdomen or groin; it’s a sign that the stone is moving down the ureter.
- Frequent Urge to Urinate
As the stone nears the bladder, even if only a small amount comes out while urinating, you may often feel like you need to urinate.
- Sudden Relief of Pain
When a stone enters the bladder, severe pain may suddenly decrease. Passing it through the urethra usually causes only mild discomfort.
- Changes in Urine color
If you see cloudy, pink, or reddish urine means the stone is irritating your urinary tract. Sometimes you may even see tiny crystals or particles.
- Burning Sensation When Urinating
This happens in the final moments before the stone leaves your body completely.
How long does it take a kidney stone to pass?
Kidney stone passage can depend on their size; different sizes have different methods of treatment, like:
- Small stones around or less than 5mm: They can pass by on their own, naturally, during urination.
- Medium stones 5–7 mm: They require medication to relax the ureter so that the stone can pass smoothly.
- Large stones around 7 mm or more: These usually need procedures like shock wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, or laser treatment to break them up.
When You Can Most Likely Wait before going to the doctor
You might not require medical care right away if:
- The stone is small, around 5 mm, and your doctor says it can pass on its own.
- When the pain is mild to moderate and can be controlled with over pain medicine.
- When the body doesn’t show signs of infection (no fever, chills, or smelly urine).
- You’re urinating normally without obstruction.
When to Get Medical Assistance Immediately
Contact your doctor if you have:
- If the pain is severe and does not go away with medication
- Possibility of infection if you get Fever, chills, or vomiting
- Blood in urine with clots or extremely dark urine
- Problem while urinating or very little urine output (potential obstruction)
- Pain on both sides or a single-functioning kidney, which increases the risk of renal damage.
Conclusion:
It is difficult to pass a kidney stone, but if you know the signs, the process becomes less stressful. If you feel like you need to urinate often, pain is moving downwards, or you experience sudden relief of pain, it could indicate your stone is about to pass. The most important things to do at this time are drink plenty of water, take medicines as prescribed, and also be aware of fever, excruciating pain, or blood in urine.
Don’t delay professional help if your symptoms get worse. Consulting Dr. Deepanshu Gupta, the best Urologist in Gurgaon with 12+ years of experience and having performed 9500+ surgeries, provides personalized treatment for each individual, treatment at the right time, ensures faster recovery, and prevents complications. With the right care, you’ll be on your way to relief and better kidney health.