Kidney Stones Treatment Options And Medications For Kidney Stones

Let’s talk about the pain you want to end. Yes, it’s about Kidney stones treatment. It is based on the type, size, and location of kidney stones. If your diagnostic test results say that you have a very small kidney stone, your doctor may suggest you drink plenty of fluids to push the stone through the urinary tract and prescribe medicines for kidney stone pain relief. 

If you have a large kidney stone or stone got stuck in the urine pathway, surgical procedures are recommended. Read further to understand kidney stones treatment options and medications for kidney stones.

How To Treat Kidney Stones?

1. Shock wave lithotripsy: It is a non-surgical technique. You will be placed on a table. Shock waves are sent to the stones to break them into smaller pieces. Though there is no incision involved, mild or moderate anaesthesia will be given to you to avoid pain.

The broken pieces are more easily able to pass out in the urine over a few weeks. This kidney stones treatment generally takes 45 minutes to 1 hour. You may go to the home on the same day the treatment is done and be able to resume daily activities in 2 to three days. Kidney stones less than 10mm size will be successfully treated in this procedure.

2. Ureteroscopy: Small flexible tube will be inserted into the bladder and ureter. This allows the physician to look into the ureter and find the stone. Once the stone is found, the physician retrieves the stone in a cage-like basket device. If the stone is large enough to be stuck in the ureter, it will be crushed by using a laser.

The crushed pieces of stones are then easily removed through your urinary tract. Often, the physician places a stent (a tube) in the ureter to hold it open to facilitate the passing of the stone pieces. It is also done under anaesthesia so that you will be unable to feel pain. Here also, you can go home on the same day the treatment is done and can resume your normal activities in 3 days.

This treatment is often used in kidney stones in the ureter. In patients who are obese, have blood clotting problems, or are pregnant, SWL cannot be used. In such cases, Ureteroscopy is a preferred choice. 

3. Surgery: This kidney stones treatment is preferred for patients with larger kidney stones (2 cm or more) or irregularly shaped stones. The doctor will make a small incision in your back. A tube will directly be inserted into your kidney to remove the kidney stone. 

If the stone is very large, your physician will use high-frequency sound waves to crush the stone and remove the pieces using a suction machine. If the stone is removed by tube, it is Percutaneous nephrolithotomy. If the stone is crushed and then removed, it is Percutaneous nephrolithotripsy.

This treatment procedure generally takes 20 to 45 minutes. You will need to stay in the hospital for 2 to 3 days.

4. Open stone surgery in kidney stones treatment: The physician will make a longer incision in the abdomen or side to reach the kidney for the removal of stones. You will need to stay in the hospital for 6 to 9 days. In 4 or 6 weeks, you may be able to resume your normal activities. It is rarely used (0.3% to 0.7% of cases) when other treatment options have failed to remove the stones.
 

Medications For Kidney Stones: 

• Potassium citrate
• Thiazide diuretics
• Allopurinol
• Alpha-blockers
• Calcium channel blockers
• Acetohydroxamic acid
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

A doctor may prescribe medications for kidney stones to help you pass a kidney stone, prevent the future recurrence of stones and prevent the kidney stones from growing.

Potassium citrate: Potassium citrate medications may be given to you to prevent kidney stones from growing. Acidic urine can favour stone formation. Potassium citrate raises the pH levels in urine and helps to reduce the recurrence of kidney stones. It also helps dissolve uric acid stones.

Thiazide diuretics: These medications are generally used to increase the removal of water and salt through urine. Your doctor may prescribe this category of medicines such as chlorthalidone, hydrochlorothiazide, or indapamide to prevent calcium kidney stones recurrence. These medications for kidney stones can decrease the amount of calcium released into the urine.

Allopurinol: Allopurinol medication prevents the production of uric acid, a waste product found in the blood. This medicine is prescribed to prevent the formation of kidney stones, particularly for uric acid stones.

Alpha-blockers: Alpha-blockers help to relax the ureter (tube through which the urine is transported from kidneys to the bladder) muscles so that stone passes easily and quickly. An example of an alpha-blocker is tamsulosin. They also reduce the pain and symptoms linked with stents placed in ureters.

Calcium channel blocker (CCB): Like alpha-blockers, CCBs are useful in relaxing the ureter muscles and reduces the time to stone passage. An example of a CCB used in kidney stones treatment is nifedipine.

Acetohydroxamic acid: It is a strong antibiotic (used to treat bacterial infections). Acetohydroxamic acid can inhibit the growth of struvite kidney stones. It will be given with other antibiotic medication.

NSAIDs: Passing a kidney stone can cause pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as naproxen or ibuprofen are used to provide kidney stone pain relief. Studies show NSAIDs offer effective pain relief with reduced side effects compared to other painkillers. 

What Do I Need To Know?

If you have suffered with kidney stones, you are at 50% risk of developing another kidney stone within five to seven years. Try to stay hydrated. It will help to flush the substances which cause kidney stones out of your body. 

Depending on the type of stones you get, your physician may prescribe some medications for kidney stones prevention. Take them as recommended without fail. Prevent the recurrence of kidney stones and have painless life.