Depending on the size, type, location, and cause of a kidney stone, your doctor may recommend waiting for it to pass naturally to avoid surgery. This process can take 4 to 6 weeks.
Passing a kidney stone naturally is safe as long as you can tolerate the pain, show no signs of infection, and the stone is reasonably small.
A kidney stone can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. Depending on its size, natural expulsion is easier:
• Stones smaller than 4mm: approximately 80% are passed naturally.
• Stones 4mm to 6mm: approximately 60% pass on their own.
• Stones larger than 6mm: only 20% pass on their own; surgical intervention is likely necessary.
Why should we collect the stone when it passes?
It is important to collect the kidney stone for analysis to determine its composition.
There is an 80% chance that you will have another stone within the next 10 years. Therefore, this study is very important and will allow your doctor to recommend the necessary measures to prevent future stones, through food supplements and dietary recommendations.
How to collect the stone?
1. Use a strainer each time you urinate and filter all urine.
2. Carefully check the filter; remember that a kidney stone can be as small as a grain of sand.
3. When you locate a stone, place it in an airtight container.
4. Give the stone to your doctor or a laboratory for analysis.
What will happen while I pass the stone?
While passing the stone, you may experience some of the following symptoms:
• Nausea or vomiting
• Pain in the kidney area, abdomen, lower back, and sides of the body.
• Moderate blood in the urine. You should always be able to see through it; if the bleeding is more abundant, see your doctor.
Go to or call a doctor urgently if:
• You have a fever over 38ºC (100.4ºF).
• The pain relievers prescribed by your doctor do not alleviate or reduce the pain, or you experience any side effects.
• You cannot tolerate food or drinks.
• Your urine contains excessive blood or clots.
• You have difficulty urinating.
Sources:
https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/analisis-de-calculos-renales
https://www.bostonscientific.com/es-MX/health-conditions/calculos-renales/treatment-options/passing-stone-naturally.html
https://www.cigna.com/es-us/knowledge-center/hw/pruebas-mdicas/anlisis-de-clculos-renales-hw7826
https://intermountainhealthcare.org/ckr-ext/Dcmnt?ncid=525986882
