There are few pains (if any) that come close to the pain
experienced with a kidney stone. If you've been unlucky enough to
be diagnosed with this condition, then you understand that finding
relief while your little stone moves seems inconceivable. Pacing,
crawling, curling up in a fetal position, nothing helps. Here are a
few methods that may help make your situation more tolerable.
Steps
- Drink fluids. The National Institute of Health
recommends that a person suffering from kidney stones should drink
2 to 3 quarts of water a day. If you're feeling nauseous, try
taking small sips as often as you can. This will help flush your
kidneys as well as encourage that little mass to move.
- Apply heat. Get a heating pad and place on
the
side(s) experiencing pain. Additionally you can try getting into a
hot shower, allowing the water to spray onto the afflicted area.
These provide temporary relief, as they are methods of distraction
for your body. The heat allows your mind and body to focus on an
additional stimulus, taking the full focus off the kidney pain. The
heat not only distracts the mind but also relaxes the tender,
swollen muscles around the kidney. This allows some of the muscle
tention to ease up, thus making it easer for the stone to work its
way down.
- Look over the counter. Advil or another
medication containing Ibuprofen will help with the inflammation
caused by the stone (and can be used in addition to narcotics
prescribed by your doctor).
- Rely on loved ones. Have someone rub your back
or press their hand or fist firmly into the painful kidney. Do not
be afraid to ask for help. This will also give your loved one a
sense of being useful. Though you are experiencing extraordinary
pain, your family and friends are experiencing the pain of not
being able to do anything to help you.
- Cry out or scream. There is no shame in
vocalizing your pain. Most grown men who have experienced kidney
stones will tell you there is no worse pain, and some women even
place the pain above childbirth. Letting your frustrations out does
not make you a wimp in this situation!
Tips
- Remember, the pain occurs when the flow of urine is being
blocked by the stone - not when it is moving. If you are feeling
extreme pain, drink more water. If this doesn't help, seek
professional help.
- It has been suggested that cranberry juice or small amounts of
alcohol may aid in the flushing process.
Warnings
- Some kidney stones will never pass or an infection might set
in. If your stone does not pass within a reasonable period of time
or you experience fever or chills, seek professional help.
- The best cure for this condition is through lifestyle changes.
See the external links and visit the NIH article on Prevention for
more information.
