How Can Kidney Stones Be Passed Out?

Kidney stones can be expelled through medication, dietary adjustments, increased water intake, and, when necessary, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) or minimally invasive surgery. Selecting the appropriate treatment method based on the size and location of the stones is crucial. Small stones can often be expelled through conservative treatment, while larger stones or those accompanied by severe symptoms may require medical intervention.

1) Increased Water Intake to Promote Natural Stone Expulsion: Adequate water intake is a vital method for helping to expel small kidney stones. Drinking 2,500-3,000 milliliters of water daily can dilute urine, reduce mineral deposition, and aid in the expulsion of small stones with urine. To more effectively promote stone expulsion, some studies suggest drinking lemon water or warm water with lemon, as citrate has the effect of dissolving some types of stones. Intake of diuretic foods, such as watermelon, winter melon, and cucumbers, can also be appropriately increased.

2) Medication to Assist in Stone Expulsion: Medication is highly effective in expelling certain types of stones. Commonly prescribed medications include:

• Alpha-blockers (e.g., tamsulosin): Help relax the smooth muscles of the ureter to facilitate stone expulsion.
• Antispasmodic drugs (e.g., anisodamine): Relieve ureteral spasms, reduce pain, and promote stone expulsion.
• Potassium citrate: Suitable for preventing the crystallization of calcium oxalate stones or helping to dissolve uric acid stones.

Note that medication should be taken according to a doctor's prescription, especially for specific stone types that require professional guidance. Self-medication is not recommended.

3) Physical Therapy and Surgical Intervention: For patients with large stones exceeding 6 millimeters in diameter or those who have difficulty expelling stones naturally, medical intervention is particularly important. Some common methods include:

• ESWL: Suitable for stones no larger than 2 centimeters in diameter, it uses shock waves to break stones into small particles that can be expelled with urine.
• Ureteroscopic lithotripsy: Uses an endoscope to enter the urinary tract to break up and remove small to medium-sized stones.
• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: Primarily for large or complex stones that cannot be treated by other methods.

4) Dietary Adjustments and Prevention of Recurrent Stones: Actively adjusting one's diet can reduce the risk of stone recurrence. This includes reducing the intake of high-oxalate foods (e.g., spinach, nuts) and high-purine foods (e.g., animal offal, rich soups). Patients should consume more grains and fresh fruits rich in dietary fiber and have moderate calcium intake, neither excessive nor insufficient. After stone expulsion, attention should still be paid to dietary and habit adjustments, with prevention being the key. If symptoms persist or intense pain occurs in the short term, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly for a definitive diagnosis and personalized treatment.