How to Break Up Kidney Stones

Staying hydrated can prevent kidney stones

Kidney stones are made up of salt and other minerals. They usually pass through in the urine on a regular basis. Most kidney stones go through the urinary tract unnoticed because they are normally quite small. Sometimes, however, they can get large enough to be noticed. This is often extremely painful as the larger kidney stones pass through the ureter, bladder and urethra. Kidney stones can also get stuck along the way, causing infections, increased pain and sometimes damage to the kidneys. Kidney stones can be broken up to prevent pain, infection and kidney damage.

Things You'll Need

• Water bottle
• Urologist

Instructions

1. Drink at least two and a half liters of water every day. The water will help the kidney stone or stones to pass through your ureter, bladder and urethra with more ease than without enough water. Drinking three liters of water per day will be even better. See the resource box for a link to a one-liter bottle. Fill it and drink three times a day for the best results.

2. Exercise daily to help your body break up the kidney stones. If your kidney stones are smaller than 5 mm you can help remove them with exercise. Cardiovascular exercise is best. Take a daily walk outside or on a treadmill. Spend at least 30 minutes doing some cardiovascular exercises such as jumping jacks, push ups and crunches. Try an aerobic workout on television, or rent or buy an aerobic workout DVD like the one in the resource box.

3. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is a treatment that helps to break up kidney stones if they are stuck or are causing too much pain. During ESWT, the doctor uses a device that sends shock waves through the body to break up a kidney stone. ESWT is the most common procedure for breaking up kidney stones. Talk to your doctor about this option if you are interested.

4. Ureteroscopy is a procedure where a surgeon will pass a thin telescopic tube through the urinary tract to wherever the kidney stone is located. The surgeon then passes an instrument through the tube that breaks up the kidney stone or removes it completely. This procedure will only work if the kidney stone is already in the ureter.

Tips & Warnings

• Seek the advice of your doctor and others who have experienced kidney stones.

References

• Information about kidney stones
• Kidney stones causes and treatments

Resources

• One-liter water bottle
• The Biggest Loser Workout