The pain of a kidney stone can arrive suddenly and feel overwhelming. Your first instinct is often to drink more water and reach for a heating pad.
Home care helps many small stones pass on their own. Some stones get stuck, though, and that is when waiting becomes risky. This guide covers which home remedies for kidney stone pain actually help, and when they are not enough.
Staying well hydrated is the foundation of both prevention and relief. You can read more in our guide to dehydration treatment in Irving.
Why “Waiting It Out” Is Not Always the Answer
Most people increase their fluids at the first sign of a stone. The NIDDK recommends six to eight glasses of water a day to help flush the urinary tract.
Hydration is not a cure once a stone is already moving. A stone in the ureter can block the flow of urine out of the kidney and cause pain, per MedlinePlus. This pattern of pain is called renal colic.
The NIDDK says the pain may last a short or long time, or come and go in waves. MedlinePlus notes that being pain free does not confirm the stone has passed.
Is It a Kidney Stone, or Something Else?
Kidney stone pain usually starts in the flank, the area on your back and side below the ribs. As the stone travels, the pain may move toward the groin, per MedlinePlus.
Flank pain has many possible causes. With fever, chills, blood in the urine, or frequent or urgent urination, a kidney problem is the likely cause, per MedlinePlus.
Several symptoms signal that a stone has become serious. For the full symptom checklist and what our team looks for, see our kidney stone emergency treatment page.
Home Remedies for Kidney Stone Pain: What Actually Helps
A few simple measures can ease discomfort while a small stone passes. None of them replace medical care if your pain becomes severe.
Hydration
Drink enough to have light-colored urine, as MedlinePlus advises. Good hydration helps a small stone move along.
Diet and citrate
Citrate in lemons and oranges helps prevent stones from forming, per MedlinePlus. Eating more sodium raises your chance of kidney stones, according to the NIDDK. These steps support prevention more than fast relief.
Safe Over-the-Counter Pain Relief, and What to Avoid
Over-the-counter medicine can take the edge off mild stone pain. Always follow the dosing on the label. Ask your pharmacist if you take other medicines.
Over-the-counter pain medicines such as ibuprofen and naproxen can be very effective, according to MedlinePlus.
Talk to your doctor before taking ibuprofen if you have kidney disease or ulcers, or take blood thinners, as MedlinePlus advises. Stop home medicine and seek care if the pain breaks through.
Why Home Remedies Fall Short for Larger Stones
Stone size matters. Small kidney stones may pass without treatment, while larger stones may need urgent treatment, according to the NIDDK.
A doctor can measure a stone’s exact size and location with imaging. A CT scan without contrast is the test most commonly used to view the urinary tract, per NIDDK. That is one reason severe or lasting pain needs an in-person evaluation.
Red Flags: When to Stop Home Care and Go to the ER
Some symptoms mean a stone may be blocked or infected. A fever with urinary pain can point to urosepsis, a dangerous infection, per MedlinePlus. Do not wait these out.
Go to an emergency room right away if you have any of the following:
- Fever or chills: a sign of possible infection.
- Inability to urinate, or passing only a small amount.
- Uncontrolled vomiting: you cannot keep down fluids or pain medicine.
- Blood in the urine, which may look pink, red, or brown.
- Severe pain in your back or side that will not go away.
ER of Irving treats kidney stone emergencies 24/7 with on-site imaging and IV pain relief. Call us now at (972) 893-3148.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to relieve kidney stone pain at home?
Drink plenty of water, and take an over-the-counter pain medicine such as ibuprofen if it is safe for you. These steps can ease mild pain. Severe pain needs medical care.
How long does it usually take to pass a kidney stone?
It varies. Small stones most often pass through your system on their own. If treatment is delayed too long, kidney damage or scarring can occur, per MedlinePlus.
Does drinking more water make a stone pass faster?
Drinking plenty of liquids can help move a small stone along, according to the NIDDK. Larger stones may need treatment.
Should I go to the ER or urgent care for a kidney stone?
Mild pain you can control may be seen at urgent care during open hours. Go to the ER for severe pain, fever or chills, vomiting, or trouble urinating. According to the NIDDK, stones that block the urinary tract or cause great pain may need urgent treatment. Our guide on ER vs. urgent care compares both.
Is flank pain always a kidney stone?
Not always. Flank pain can also come from a kidney infection, a muscle spasm, or shingles, according to MedlinePlus. Kidney stone pain is often severe and starts and stops suddenly.
Can I prevent kidney stones from coming back?
Yes. MedlinePlus advises drinking enough to make at least 2 liters of urine every 24 hours. Eating less sodium can also lower your chance of stones, per the NIDDK.
Home remedies can carry you through a small, uncomplicated stone. Hydration and safe pain relief both help. Know the red flags so you can act fast when they appear.
If your pain turns severe, or a fever starts, get care without delay. See our kidney stone emergency treatment page, or learn about dehydration treatment in Irving.
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