Kidney stones are small mineral deposits that cause shooting pain. Ask anyone who’s ever had a kidney stone: they’re awful. And if you have one, you want to get rid of it as fast as possible. Passing a kidney stone can take a while. But you can do a few things to speed up the process.
How to pass kidney stones as quickly as possible
Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) are lumps of minerals or acids that build up in your kidneys. Excessive levels of these substances can eventually harden, turning into “stones.” Small kidney stones may cause little to no pain or discomfort. Larger stones, however, can seriously hurt.
The time it takes to pass a kidney stone depends on its size. Your body releases kidney stones through the flow of urine. Smaller stones (around .16 inches) can pass through your urinary tract and out of your body in about 31 days. Larger stones (over .16 inches) can take about two months to move through the urinary system. Big stones (around .24 inches) may require surgery for removal.
If a stone is big enough to cause pain or discomfort, it’s likely too large to pass within a few days. Naturally passing even a small stone may take several weeks to a month. But you can use several natural remedies to speed up the process and pass a kidney stone fast.
At-home remedies to pass a kidney stone fast:
The best way to encourage the passing of a kidney stone is by drinking plenty of fluids. This means lots of water, fruit juice (like lemon and citrus juice), and celery juice. You can also mix in some apple cider vinegar (ACV) to help speed up the process.
Here are some common natural remedies to pass kidney stones quickly:
Drink enough water: Drinking plenty of water can help your body flush out kidney stones quickly. Men should drink about 15.5 cups of water per day. Women should aim for about 11.5 cups per day. If you’re dealing with a kidney stone, it’s recommended that you drink 3 liters (12 cups) of water per day. This extra water will make you pee more, encouraging the kidney stone to move from your kidneys, through your ureters, and out of the body.
Drink some lemon juice: Studies show that lemon juice and other citrus juices are particularly helpful in getting rid of kidney stones. Lemons and citrus fruits contain citric acid (citrate), which can break up kidney stones into smaller pieces. Smaller stones are easier to pass. Add ½ cup of lemon juice concentrate, or the juice of two lemons, into your water daily to help a kidney stone pass.
Try some apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar (ACV) contains certain acids that can break kidney stones into smaller pieces. ACV also has some anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce kidney stone pain, although studies about this are limited. To help pass kidney stones, add 2 tablespoons of ACV to drinking water. Do this once per day. Diluting ACV is essential; drinking it straight can cause acid reflux and damage your teeth’s enamel.
Drink celery juice: A 2019 study shows that flavonoids in celery juice effectively broke down kidney stones in lab animals. Celery juice is also a diuretic, which means it encourages the production of urine. Increased urine production helps move kidney stones through the urinary tract and out of the urethra via urine flow.
Sensing a theme here? Drinking enough fluids is the best way to help your body pass a kidney stone as fast as possible. Maintain your hydration with water, fruit juice, and celery juice. Drink less caffeine and alcohol. They can dehydrate you, a primary risk factor for kidney stones.
Medical treatment to pass a kidney stone fast
If chugging water isn’t doing the trick, you may want to talk to a primary care provider or urologist about treatment options. Larger stones may not be able to pass on their own and may require medical intervention for removal. If you are experiencing pain and discomfort from a kidney stone, try taking an over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve your symptoms before you get targeted treatment.
Medication: In some cases, a healthcare provider may prescribe an alpha-blocker like tamsulosin (generic for Flomax). It is primarily used to treat benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in men. It works by relaxing muscles around the prostate and bladder, making urine flow through the urinary tract easier. Improved urine flow can make it easier to pass a kidney stone. Tamsulosin can also reduce ureter spasms—waves of sharp pain caused by kidney disease or kidney stones. By reducing spasms, tamsulosin may be able to prevent some of the most severe pain brought on by kidney stones.
Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy: Shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a non-invasive procedure that uses high-energy sound waves to break a large stone into smaller pieces. It is easier for these fragments to pass through the urethra. ESWL requires hospitalization for a few days.
Ureteroscopy: Ureteroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure where a ureteroscope, a small instrument, is inserted through the urethra into the ureter and kidneys. It can retrieve stones with a small basket or break larger ones with a laser.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy involves inserting an endoscope directly into the kidney through a small cut in the back. Stones are broken up with a laser or ultrasound probe and removed through the incision. A stent is then placed in the urinary tract to help stones pass. You may need to remain in the hospital for several days after this procedure.
When to see a doctor
Smaller kidney stones might not cause any symptoms at all. You may have a kidney stone and not know it. However, these mineral masses may start causing problems as they get bigger.
Common symptoms of kidney stones include:
- Sharp pain in the lower back, side, abdomen, or groin
- Kidney stone pain with nausea or vomiting
- Pain during urination
- Blood in the urine
- Frequent urges to urinate
- Inability to urinate
- Fever or chills
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
One or more of these symptoms may be a sign that you have a kidney stone. If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Preventing kidney stones
There is no sure way to prevent kidney stones. But you can lower your risk with these healthy habits.
Drink plenty of fluids: Yep, we’re back on this. Dehydration is a primary risk factor for kidney stones. If calcium or uric acid is allowed to build up in your kidneys, these substances can harden and become stones. Drinking water and other fluids dilute your urine's mineral and acid content, reducing the risk that deposits form. Avoid too much caffeine or sugary beverages, however, as these can contribute to kidney stone formation.
Eat a balanced diet: Eating a lot of animal protein has been shown to increase your risk of kidney stones. Animal protein encourages the body to make calcium and calcium oxalate. These substances can harden into kidney stones. Balance your diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Opt for lean protein sources and monitor the amount of calcium and sodium you eat. Balance your diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Opt for lean protein sources and monitor the amount of calcium and sodium you eat.
Take a citrate supplement: If you have a history of kidney stones, you will likely develop more in the future. Talk to your provider about citrate supplements, which increase citrate levels in your urine. As noted above, citrate breaks down and protects against the formation of kidney stones. It is recommended that you seek medical advice before starting any sort of supplementation.
Passing a kidney stone can be very painful. But removing it prevents complications like blockage and infections. Use the above methods to help coax smaller stones out quickly. If you are experiencing severe pain or are concerned about passing a kidney stone, talk to a doctor of urology or a primary care provider. They can offer you targeted treatment options to start feeling better soon.
