Kidney stones can certainly cause some intense symptoms, so it’s not surprising you’re feeling anxious. The stabbing pain you mentioned is a common symptom, often felt in the side or back area, that can spread to the lower abdomen and groin. This pain is usually due to the stone moving through your urinary tract and is often intermittent, meaning it can come and go in waves as the stone moves. Other symptoms might include nausea, vomiting, blood in the urine, or a frequent urge to urinate, especially if the stone is near the bladder. It’s understandable to worry about when you’d need surgery. Not all kidney stones require surgical intervention. Many small stones can pass on their own with adequate hydration and pain management. Drinking lots of water means aiming for enough fluid to produce around 2 to 2.5 liters of urine per day, which helps flush out the stones and prevent new ones from forming. In terms of diet, reducing intake of foods high in oxalate (like chocolate, nuts, and spinach), moderating salt, and ensuring adequate calcium can be beneficial in preventing certain types of stones. You might also be advised to limit protein intake depending on the stone type. Unfortunately, kidney stones can recur, but making these lifestyle and diet changes can lower your risk. Additionally, certain medications can help prevent specific types of stones from forming again. If the stones don’t pass, treatments like extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) could break stones into smaller pieces or other minimally invasive procedures might be considered. Always follow up with a healthcare provider to tailor these recommendations to your unique health needs.
kidney stone symptoms treatment
I am dealing with some crazy pain in my side that I thought was just bad gas or something, but after a few days, it got worse and I ended up at the ER. They did a CT scan and said I have kidney stones, which I never thought was something I’d go through. I'm feeling really anxious about what kidney stone symptoms I should actually be watching for, like is this stabbing pain normal, or could it mean something worse? The doctors just mentioned some possible treatments but didn’t go into much detail and now I'm kinda freaking out. I mean, do all kidney stone symptoms lead to surgery, or are there less invasive treatments available? I read something about drinking lots of water but how much is "lots"? I also feel worried about what kind of diet changes I might need to make. And do kidney stones come back? Like once you have them is it just a matter of time before they show up again with more kidney stone symptoms? Trying to figure out what to expect here, glad I found this forum to ask!
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Doctors' responses
Sudden, severe side or back pain is a classic symptom of kidney stones and can be very intense .Other symptoms: blood in urine, burning urination, nausea/vomiting, or frequent urges to urinate—see a doctor if you develop fever or chills .Not all stones require surgery. Most small stones pass naturally with hydration and pain relief; surgery is needed only for large stones, ongoing pain, blockages, or infection .Drink at least 2.5–3 liters of water daily, unless medically restricted, to help pass stones and prevent new ones .Prevent recurrence by reducing salt, moderating animal protein, and limiting oxalate-rich foods; maintain normal calcium in your diet .Stones can come back—risk is 30–50% in 5 years, but prevention helps .Always consult your doctor if symptoms worsen or new symptoms (fever, inability to pass urine) appear.
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