Helping a Kidney Stone Pass: What You Can Do
Video Transcript
Hi, I’m Karen Stern,
a urologist at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona,
and part of the Kidney Stone Collaborative.
One question I’ve been posed with answering is,
what can I do to help my stone come out other than just
drinking water and waiting?
Well, good news and bad news.
Good news is you don’t have to do much more.
The bad news is you can’t do much more.
So really the most important thing is staying hydrated, stay
as well, hydrated as you can, and really it just takes time.
There is some evidence that a drug called Tamsin may help
with passing stones,
but it really matters about how big that stone is
and where it is in the ureter,
in its way down from the kidney to the bladder.
So in reality, the best thing you could do is be patient,
drink water and do your best.
Summary
In this video, urologist Dr. Karen Stern explains what patients can do when passing a kidney stone. She emphasizes that while the process can be frustrating, the most effective approach is often simple: stay well hydrated and allow time for the stone to pass naturally. Drinking plenty of water remains the primary way to support stone movement and provide some pain relief. Dr. Stern notes that certain medications, such as tamsulosin, may help in specific cases, depending on the stone’s size and location in the ureter. However, there are limited options beyond hydration and patience. She reassures patients that focusing on fluid intake, understanding expectations, and remaining patient are the best ways to support how to help stone pass safely and effectively.