Relieving Kidney Stone Pain
Kidney stone pain, which doctors usually refer to as renal colic, occurs when the stones block the ureter or any of the tubes of the urinary system. Kidney stone pain usually starts in the area of the kidneys or just below it through the side of the back traveling down to the bladder. Kidney stone pain comes in spasms instead of a steady or continuous episode. Kidney stone pain can be dull or it can be acute. Acute kidney stone pain is considered one of the most excruciating pains known to man.
Fortunately, most cases of kidney stones pass naturally in just a few days without any significant pain or the need for surgery. For mild kidney stone pain, home treatment may be administered which simply involves increasing water intake and taking doctor-prescribed pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs. A good home remedy to treat mild kidney stone pain is to lie down on your good side and apply a hot towel or hot bottle to the affected part. You can also speed up the passing of kidney stones by walking.
Those experiencing severe kidney stone pain accompanied with throwing up and/or nausea will need to see a doctor or go to a hospital's emergency room. You may be administered with intravenous or intramuscular pain medication such as NSAIDS or narcotic medicines, which help to significantly reduce or completely relieve kidney stone pain.
In addition, the doctor may inject you with fluids intravenously through a thin tube placed in a vein. This is to hydrate you and increase urine production in order to promote the flushing out of the kidney stone/stones into the bladder. Once the stones reach the bladder, they normally pass out of the urinary system with little pain.
Once the kidney stone pain is relieved or if it is reduced to a tolerable level, the doctor will look at your kidney's CT scan to determine the next step. If the results of a CT scan show that the stone or stones are 6mm or less, the doctor will simply prescribe kidney stone pain medication to help you with future attacks while you wait for treatment. The doctor will also instruct you to drink 8-13 glasses of water every day and use a special strainer designed to catch the stones when you urinate. You will be asked to save the stones and bring them to the doctor's office for lab analysis.
