Kidney Stone Pain

Kidney stone is a problem associated with the urinary tract system. A kidney stone is nothing but build of solid mass of salts and minerals in the kidneys. There may be one large hard mass or small hard deposits in the kidneys. As we all know, the kidney does the job of filtering blood to extract waste products so as to produce the urine. An increase in salt content in the urine leads to formation of crystals, which separate from the urine and remain in the kidneys. Over time, these crystals attach to each other to form a larger mass known as kidney stones.

People with kidney stones often complain about lower back pain. A kidney stone attack can also bring pain in the groin area. Kidney stone pain can also manifest in the form of burning sensation while urinating. Persistent cramps in the lower back (below the ribs) due to kidney stones is an indication that these hard deposits are in a position to partially or completely block the urine flow. Formation of kidney stones also puts a person in the risk zone of urinary tract infections

If the kidney stones formed are very small, generally the patient does not experience any pain. Also, the severity of the pain will vary depending on its position in the urinary tract system. When these hard deposits remain in the kidneys and do not move to other parts of the urinary tract system such as the bladder or the urethra, the pain experienced is mild and tolerable.

Pain Medication
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines are commonly prescribed to relieve the pain associated with kidney stones. These medications not only reduce the pain but also help to combat the inflammation effectively. These are non-prescription medicines but still one has to consult a doctor to know their exact dosage. Following are the drugs available in tablet form that can help to reduce the pain.

• Aspirin
• Ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin)
• Naproxen (Aleve)
• Acetaminophen

Intravenous Medications
Oral medications mentioned above are not that effective when it comes to treating severe kidney stone pain. In such cases, injectable form of medicines are found to be beneficial to reduce this unbearable pain. They are given below:

• Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
• Ketorolac HCL (Toradol)
• Morphine Sulfate (Duramorph PF)

It is observed that oral medicines designed to alleviate discomfort associated with kidney stones are habit-forming. The patient may get addicted to these medicines to relieve pain if used for a period of 3 weeks. Also, one should be very careful in giving the medicine intravenously, as negligence can cause accidental overdose. The most common side effects associated with the pain relievers are vomiting, nausea and breathing problems.

Natural Remedies
One of the best remedies to get out of the clutches of this pain is to get rid of kidney stones. Drinking plenty of water is crucial for kidney stone removal. Dehydration will only aggravate the pain, and hence ample fluid intake is a must. Lemon juice contains citric acid, which can help to break and dissolve the kidney stones. So, to experience the citric acid effect, simply introduce fresh lemon juice into a glass of water. Drinking coconut water on a daily basis can also promote natural breakdown of kidney stones. Including fruits that are high in water content such as grapes and watermelon, can also help to eliminate kidney stones naturally.

Instead of remaining physical inactive, one can do a little bit of exercise. Besides having plenty of water, a brisk walk for around 20 minutes can help to reduce the discomfort, and will allow stuck up kidney stones to move out of the urinary tract system.

Patients are also advised to take a warm water bath to reduce the pain, in case it is occurring in the lower back area. Application of heating pads on the affected area can also help to soothe the pain.