Kidney stones are among the most painful conditions a person can suffer from. They cause discomfort in the lower back and genitals that can be so severe it may feel like one is being crushed inside. The pain typically peaks when the stone moves from the kidney into the ureter, which is the tube that carries urine to the bladder.
While hydration and limiting sodium can help prevent kidney stones, many people develop them because of other factors. Those include a diet high in animal proteins that increases uric acid; certain medications that raise calcium excretion or decrease citrate levels; and health issues such as diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and obesity.
Some people pass kidney stones without treatment, but others need medical attention. In those cases, providers prescribe a regimen to break up or remove the stones. Procedures range from medication to shock wave therapy, a minimally invasive technique that uses sound waves to fragment the stones.
For small stones, a person is often able to reduce the amount of pain they experience by taking over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and acetaminophen (Tylenol). Doctors also recommend drinking a lot of fluids to prevent dehydration. Avoid fruit juices, such as orange and grapefruit, as they can interact with some of the medicines used to ease pain. In more serious cases, a person might need to be given an alpha blocker, such as tamsulosin (Flomax) or nifedipine (Adalat and Procardia). These medicines relax the ureter muscles and can help the stones pass more easily.