Kidney stone pain is often described as one of the most intense pains a person can feel. It usually comes in waves, starting in the side or back and moving to the lower belly and groin. If you are experiencing this right now, the first steps are to take over-the-counter pain relief if you can tolerate it, drink plenty of water, and apply heat to the painful area. However, if you have a fever, chills, or are unable to keep fluids down, you need to go to an emergency room immediately, as these can be signs of a serious infection.
What Can I Do For Kidney Stone Pain Right Now?
Start with the most basic measures. Take an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen, provided you do not have a medical reason to avoid it. These medications reduce inflammation in the urinary tract and are often more effective for this type of pain than acetaminophen.
Drink water. The goal is to increase your urine output, which can help move the stone along. Aim to drink enough to produce clear or very light yellow urine. If you cannot keep water down because of nausea, that is a red flag that you need medical care.
Use a heating pad or hot compress on your side or back where the pain is worst. Heat will not dissolve the stone, but it can relax the muscles in the area and provide meaningful relief while you wait for medication to work.
When Should I Go to the Emergency Room?
Not all kidney stones require a trip to the ER, but some situations do. You should seek emergency care immediately if you have a fever or chills alongside the pain, as this can indicate a urinary tract infection that has become serious. Other urgent signs include an inability to urinate, blood in the urine that is heavy or accompanied by clots, and pain so severe that you cannot sit still or find a comfortable position.
Vomiting that prevents you from keeping down fluids is another reason to go to the ER. Persistent nausea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, which makes it harder for the stone to pass and can worsen kidney function. If you are pregnant and suspect a kidney stone, seek medical evaluation rather than treating at home.
What Pain Medications Work Best for Kidney Stones?
NSAIDs are the most studied and effective class of medication for acute kidney stone pain. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) work by reducing prostaglandins, which are chemicals that cause inflammation and pain in the urinary tract. These medications are available over the counter, but you should take the lowest effective dose for the shortest time needed.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a reasonable alternative if you cannot take NSAIDs due to kidney disease, stomach ulcers, or a history of gastrointestinal bleeding. It does not reduce inflammation the way NSAIDs do, so it may be less effective for this specific type of pain, but it can still help.
In the emergency room, doctors have stronger options. Intravenous ketorolac (Toradol) is a powerful NSAID given by injection that works quickly. Opioid pain medications are used less often now because research shows NSAIDs are equally effective for kidney stone pain with fewer side effects. If you go to the ER, the medical team will choose the appropriate medication based on your individual situation.
How Much Water Should I Drink to Pass a Stone?
Hydration is the single most important thing you can do to help a stone pass. The general guidance is to drink enough water to produce about 2 to 2.5 liters of urine per day. For most people, this means drinking roughly 8 to 10 glasses of water daily, but your exact needs depend on your body size, activity level, and climate.
Do not force excessive amounts of water. Drinking several gallons in a short period can be dangerous and does not speed up stone passage. The goal is steady, consistent hydration. If you are passing a stone, you should notice that you are urinating frequently and that your urine is pale in color.
Some people wonder whether acidic drinks like lemonade or cranberry juice help. Lemonade contains citrate, which can help prevent certain types of stones from forming, but it is not a proven treatment for passing a stone that is already causing pain. Water remains the most reliable option.
Does Movement or Position Help the Pain?
There is no specific movement or position that is proven to pass a kidney stone faster. The stone moves based on urine flow and the natural contractions of the ureter, the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder. Changing positions may make you more comfortable, but it will not change the stone’s path.
Walking or gentle activity may help some people feel better than lying completely still. There is also some research on a device called a “kidney stone flip” or therapeutic vibration, which involves riding on a rolling platform to help stones in the upper ureter move. This technique is not widely available and is not a standard treatment. For most people, staying comfortable and well-hydrated is the best approach.
How Long Does It Take to Pass a Kidney Stone?
Passing time depends mostly on the size and location of the stone. Stones smaller than 5 millimeters pass on their own about 80 percent of the time. Stones between 5 and 10 millimeters pass less frequently, and stones larger than 10 millimeters often require medical intervention.
Most stones that are going to pass do so within 4 to 6 weeks of symptoms starting. The pain may come and go during this time as the stone moves through the ureter. If you have had the same stone causing pain for more than a few weeks, or if the pain is not improving, you should follow up with a urologist.
It is important to understand that passing a stone does not mean you are cured of kidney stone disease. If you have passed one stone, your risk of forming another within 5 to 10 years is significant. That is why doctors recommend a metabolic evaluation after your first stone to identify underlying risk factors.
What Medications Can a Doctor Prescribe to Help Pass a Stone?
Doctors sometimes prescribe a class of medications called alpha-blockers, such as tamsulosin (Flomax). These drugs relax the muscles in the ureter, which can allow a stone to pass more easily and with less pain. Research shows these medications are most helpful for stones in the lower part of the ureter and for stones larger than 5 millimeters.
This treatment is called medical expulsive therapy. It is not appropriate for everyone, and it does not work for all stone types or all stone locations. Your doctor will decide whether this is a good option based on the size and position of your stone, as well as your overall health.
Do not take tamsulosin or similar medications without a prescription. These drugs have side effects, including dizziness and low blood pressure, and they should only be used under medical supervision.
What Foods or Drinks Should I Avoid Right Now?
When you are in the middle of a kidney stone episode, there is no specific food that will worsen the pain or prevent the stone from passing. Your immediate focus should be on hydration and pain control, not dietary changes. Dietary changes are for preventing future stones, not treating an active one.
Once the stone has passed, your doctor may recommend dietary changes based on the stone’s composition. For example, people who form calcium oxalate stones may be advised to reduce sodium, limit animal protein, and eat calcium-rich foods at meals. People who form uric acid stones may be advised to limit purine-rich foods like red meat and shellfish. But these changes are for the long term, not for the moment of acute pain.
One thing to avoid right now is excessive caffeine or alcohol. Both can act as diuretics and increase urine output, but they can also contribute to dehydration if you are not drinking enough water alongside them. Water should be your primary beverage.
Can Kidney Stone Pain Be Prevented From Coming Back?
Prevention begins after the current stone is gone. The most important preventive measure is lifelong hydration. People who have had one stone should aim to keep their urine dilute at all times, not just when they are having symptoms. This means consistent water intake every day, not just on hot days or during exercise.
Your doctor may order tests to check your urine and blood to identify why you form stones. This is called a metabolic evaluation and is recommended for anyone who has had more than one stone or who passed a first stone at a young age. Based on those results, your doctor may recommend specific dietary changes or medications to reduce your risk of forming new stones.
Some research suggests that increasing dietary calcium through foods like dairy products can reduce the risk of calcium oxalate stones. This seems counterintuitive because stones contain calcium, but dietary calcium binds to oxalate in the gut and prevents it from being absorbed into the urine. Calcium supplements, on the other hand, may increase stone risk in some people, so they should only be taken under medical guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drink alcohol to help with kidney stone pain?
No. Alcohol is a diuretic and can dehydrate you, which makes it harder for the stone to pass. Stick to water.
Is it safe to take ibuprofen for kidney stone pain?
Yes, for most people. Ibuprofen is the first-line treatment for kidney stone pain, but avoid it if you have kidney disease, stomach ulcers, or a history of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Does jumping or bouncing help pass a kidney stone faster?
There is no reliable evidence that jumping or bouncing helps pass a stone. The stone moves with urine flow, not with body movement.
When should I see a urologist for a kidney stone?
See a urologist if the stone has not passed within 4 to 6 weeks, if you have repeated episodes, or if you have had multiple stones in the past.
