Kidney Stones - Home Treatment

SYMPTOMS & TREATMENTS

Home treatment is often the only thing you need to do when passing a kidney stone. Home treatment includes drinking enough fluids, taking pain medicine, and possibly straining and collecting your urine to help determine the type of stone you have.

Drink fluids

You need to drink enough water to keep your urine clear, about 8 to 10 glasses of water a day when you are passing a kidney stone. If you have kidney, heart, or liver disease and are on fluid restrictions, talk with your doctor before drinking more fluids.

Use pain medicine

Medicine you can buy without a prescription, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), may relieve your pain. NSAIDs include aspirin and ibuprofen (such as Motrin and Advil). Your doctor can prescribe stronger pain medicine if needed.

Collect kidney stones and urine

Your doctor may ask you to collect your kidney stone when it passes so that he or she can examine it to see what caused it to form.

  • Your doctor will give you a strainer. Urinatethrough the strainer and save any stones, including those that look like sandor gravel. Continue to do this for 3 days after your painstops.
  • You can also urinate into a cup or container and empty thecontainer through a strainer to collect the kidney stone. Strainers may beavailable at your local drugstore. You can also use coffee filters to strainurine.
  • Allow the stones to dry, and store them in a plastic orglass container until you can take them to your doctor.

Your doctor may also ask you to collect your urine for 24 hours after you pass a stone, so he or she can check your urine to help determine the type and cause of the stone. Knowing the type of the stone may help you prevent getting stones in the future.

Author: Monica RhodesLast Updated: May 4, 2009
Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Philip Belitsky, MD, FRCSC - Urology

1995-2009 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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