How to Live With Urinary Stones

If you live with urinary stones, also known as kidney stones, you know that pain management is vital. Once your doctor has determined that your kidney stones are small enough to pass naturally, you can try an assortment of techniques to live with the stones. Drinking more water and eating moderate amounts of protein have been shown to help lower your risk of repeat kidney stones. Read on to learn how to live with urinary stones.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Speak to Your Doctor

1. Request that your doctor check for kidney stones. He may need to run urine lab tests, X-rays or CAT scans to locate your kidney stones.
2. Ask your doctor about the size of your kidney stones. Most stones are small and can be passed naturally. Large stones may need surgical removal.
3. Adhere to your doctor's orders.

Practice Urinary Stone Prevention

4. Drink plenty of water. Drinking between two and three liters of water each day will help you keep a steady flow of urine moving to move along kidney stones.
5. Cut back on salt. Health care professionals recommend that you read food labels and use table salt sparingly. Salt causes your body to retain, rather than pass, water.
6. Eat protein in moderation. Some types of kidney stones are caused by an overabundance of protein in your system. When the kidneys cannot filter all of the protein out, these stones are formed.
7. Avoid calcium supplements. Research has shown that consumption of calcium supplements can increase the risk of kidney stones. Discuss this with your doctor if he prescribes extra calcium for you.
8. Read your medicine bottles. Some medications such as potassium citrate can raise your risk of forming urinary stones.
9. Monitor your intake of foods that are high in oxalic acid such as spinach, chocolate, peanuts and soda. These foods may increase kidney stone risk.
10. Look into prescription medications. Medications like Allopurinol (a gout medication) may aid help dissolve kidney stones. You must get a prescription for this drug.

Manage Kidney Stone Pain

11. Discuss your pain level with your doctor. Kidney stone pain is intense and may require you to take narcotic drugs such as morphine for relief.
12. Turn to acupuncture. Some people find that this ancient system of stimulation with small needles reduces pain.
13. Give therapy a try. Many therapists are versed in focused imagery, which patients use to help them manage and live with pain. Ask a therapist to teach you these pain management techniques.

Tips & Warnings

• Always speak to your doctor before embarking on invasive alternative treatments such as herbal medicines.