How long does it take to pass a kidney stone (size matters!) | Prevention, Symptoms, & Looks 👀
TLDRDr. Rena Malik, a urologist and pelvic surgeon, provides an informative overview on kidney stones. She discusses the commonality of kidney stones, affecting approximately 1 in 11 adults in the United States, with most cases occurring between the ages of 40 and 60. The video covers the causes of kidney stones, including metabolic abnormalities, low urine volume, high salt and animal protein intake, and high levels of oxalate in the diet. Dr. Malik also touches on environmental factors like heat and obesity, as well as medical conditions and medications that can increase the risk. She explains the typical symptoms, which often occur when a stone moves and potentially blocks the ureter. The appearance of kidney stones varies based on their composition, and the time it takes for a stone to pass can range from eight days for smaller stones to up to 40 days for larger ones. She advises that drinking plenty of fluids and possibly taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can assist in passing the stones. Additionally, she mentions that sexual intercourse may help due to the release of nitric oxide, acting as a smooth muscle relaxant. Dr. Malik invites viewers to join her community for more content on sexual, urologic, and bladder health.
Takeaways
- 💧 Drinking plenty of fluids can decrease the risk of kidney stones and help them pass more quickly.
- 🚫 A high salt diet can lead to increased calcium excretion in urine, raising the risk of kidney stones.
- 🥩 Consuming too much animal protein can increase the acidity of urine, potentially promoting stone formation.
- 🌱 High levels of oxalate in the urine, from foods like spinach and rhubarb, can also increase stone risk.
- ☀️ Living in hot or dry climates or working in high-heat environments can contribute to dehydration and stone formation.
- 📈 Obesity and certain medical conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and cholesterol issues can affect metabolic functions and increase stone risk.
- 💊 Certain medications are known to be associated with an increased risk of kidney stones.
- 😖 Pain from kidney stones typically occurs when the stone moves into the ureter and gets stuck, often at the ureteral pelvic junction, crossing over the iliac vessels, or at the ureterovesical junction.
- 🔍 If you have recurrent urinary tract infections, it's important to see a urologist or get imaging done to check for kidney stones.
- ⏳ The time it takes for a kidney stone to pass varies based on its size, with smaller stones (2mm or less) taking an average of about 8 days, while larger stones (4-6mm) may take up to 40 days.
- 💊 Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and certain medications like tamsulosin can help with stone passage by promoting smooth muscle relaxation in the ureter.
Q & A
What is the prevalence of kidney stones among adults in the United States?
-Kidney stones are extremely common, with about 1 in 11 United States adults experiencing them at some point in their lifetime.
At what age are people most commonly affected by kidney stones?
-People most commonly get kidney stones between the ages of 40 and 60.
What is a metabolic abnormality and how is it related to kidney stones?
-A metabolic abnormality refers to a change in the way kidneys process urine, which can lead to a higher or lower volume of certain substances that either prevent or promote the formation of kidney stones.
How can the acidity of urine affect the risk of kidney stones?
-The acidity of urine, whether more acidic or more basic, can change the risk for forming kidney stones. A higher acid load from animal protein, for example, can lead to more acidic urine, increasing the risk.
What is the recommended fluid intake for people who form kidney stones?
-The American Neurologic Association recommends that people who form stones drink two and a half liters more of fluid, which has been shown to decrease the incidence of kidney stones.
How does a high-salt diet increase the risk of kidney stones?
-A high-salt diet can cause the body to excrete more calcium in the urine, which can increase the risk of forming stones with calcium.
What is the role of oxalate in the formation of kidney stones?
-High levels of oxalate in the urine, caused by consuming foods rich in oxalate like spinach, rhubarb, beets, and nuts, can increase the risk for certain types of kidney stones.
What are some environmental factors that can increase the risk of kidney stones?
-Living in a hot or dry climate or working in environments with high levels of heat can cause dehydration, making it easier to form kidney stones.
How does obesity affect the risk of developing kidney stones?
-Obesity, defined as having a body mass index of 30 or higher, is a significant risk factor as it can alter metabolic functions, leading to more frequent metabolic changes that promote kidney stone formation.
What are the common symptoms of a kidney stone?
-Common symptoms include pain in the flank, upper side of the back, belly, or groin, and can also present as urinary tract infection symptoms such as blood in the urine, pain during urination, or increased urgency to urinate.
What does a kidney stone look like and how does its composition vary?
-Kidney stones can vary greatly in appearance depending on their composition, which can include calcium, uric acid, cystine, and other compounds. The size and shape will also differ based on these components.
How long does it typically take for a kidney stone to pass, and what factors influence this?
-The time it takes for a kidney stone to pass depends on its size. Smaller stones (2mm or less) may take an average of about eight days, while larger stones (4-6mm) may take an average of 22 days, but this can range up to 40 days or more. Larger stones may also require medical intervention for passage.
What are some strategies to help pass a kidney stone?
-Drinking plenty of fluids is crucial. Additionally, taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, using certain medications like tamsulosin, and engaging in sexual intercourse, which can release nitric oxide acting as a smooth muscle relaxant, may help in passing kidney stones.
Outlines
😀 Understanding Kidney Stones and Their Causes
Dr. Rena Malik, a urologist and pelvic surgeon, introduces the topic of kidney stones, discussing their prevalence, common ages of onset, and risk factors. She explains that metabolic abnormalities, low urine volume, high salt and animal protein diets, and high oxalate intake can contribute to stone formation. Additionally, environmental factors like heat and obesity, along with certain medical conditions and medications, can increase the risk. The importance of fluid intake in preventing kidney stones is emphasized, as well as the potential need for medical evaluation if experiencing recurrent issues.
😖 Symptoms and Treatment of Kidney Stones
The second paragraph delves into the symptoms of kidney stones, which typically occur when a stone moves and potentially blocks the ureter. Common pain locations include the flank, back, belly, and sometimes the groin. Additional symptoms may include urinary tract infections and increased urgency to urinate. The appearance of kidney stones varies based on their composition, with calcium being the most common component. Asymptomatic stones may not always require immediate action, but monitoring is advised to prevent complications. The time it takes for a kidney stone to pass depends on its size, with smaller stones (2mm or less) taking an average of eight days, while larger ones may take up to 40 days. Treatment advice includes staying hydrated and considering medications to help with stone passage, as well as noting that sexual intercourse may assist due to the release of nitric oxide, which acts as a muscle relaxant.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Kidney Stones
💡Urologist
💡Risk Factors
💡Metabolic Abnormalities
💡Urine Volume
💡Oxalate
💡Dehydration
💡Obesity
💡Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
💡Pain Management
💡24-Hour Urine Test
Highlights
Kidney stones are extremely common, affecting about 1 in 11 U.S. adults at some point in their lifetime.
Risk factors for kidney stones include metabolic abnormalities, low urine volume, high salt diet, high animal protein intake, and high oxalate levels in the urine.
Drinking two and a half liters more fluid daily can decrease the incidence of kidney stones.
Obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and certain bowel diseases are also risk factors for kidney stones.
Kidney stones often cause no pain until they start moving down the ureter and get stuck, which can cause flank, back, belly or groin pain.
Kidney stones can cause urinary tract infections if they block urine flow.
Kidney stones can vary greatly in appearance depending on their chemical composition, most commonly calcium.
About one third of asymptomatic kidney stones will develop symptoms within the first three years.
Smaller kidney stones (2mm or less) take an average of 8 days to pass, while larger ones (4-6mm) take 22 days on average.
Half of people with kidney stones larger than 4mm cannot pass them naturally and may require a procedure.
Drinking plenty of fluids is the most important thing to help pass a kidney stone.
Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen may help relax the ureter and facilitate stone passage.
The medication tamsulosin, typically used for enlarged prostate, may also aid in passing kidney stones by relaxing the ureter.
Sexual intercourse may help pass kidney stones and relieve pain, as it stimulates the release of nitric oxide, a smooth muscle relaxant.
If experiencing recurrent urinary tract infections, see a urologist or get imaging to check for kidney stones.
A full urologic and endocrine evaluation, including a 24-hour urine test and blood work, is important if you have recurrent kidney stones.
Certain medications are known to be associated with an increased risk of kidney stones.
Transcripts
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