How to Check for Kidney Stones at Home
A kidney stone is a hard mass that builds up from crystals of minerals and salts found in your kidneys. Large stones can be painful and dangerous if not removed, and although stones can be small, they still can pose some significant problems. Symptoms such as sharp and intense back or side pain, more frequent urge to urinate, or beads of blood in urine may be the signs of present kidney stone. Understanding how to assess kidney stones using home remedies is important so that you know when to go to the hospital.
Common Symptoms of Kidney Stones
To prepare for kidney stone testing, one has to have an understanding of symptoms they are likely to experience. Here are some signs that you may have kidney stones:
- Severe pain: Stone pain is usually described as a sharp, sudden pain in the back or side and may be due to the movement of the stone in the kidney or passage through the ureter.
- Painful urination: A sensation of burning during urination may be a sign of the presence of kidney stones.
- Blood in urine: Pink, red, or brown color in the urine means that the stone is causing inflammation in the urinary tract.
- Frequent urge to urinate: You may notice more frequent urges to urinate even though you don’t have a large volume of urine in the bladder.
- Nausea and vomiting: It can be used when kidney stones lead to pain or sensation of discomfort.
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine: This may be a sign of an infection, as kidney stones often lead to this complication among patients.
In case you develop any of these symptoms, it is important that you seek the services of a qualified urologist so that they can diagnose you and treat the condition accordingly.
Can You Check for Kidney Stones at Home?
While you can’t definitively diagnose kidney stones at home, there are a few ways to monitor symptoms and determine if a doctor’s visit is necessary. Here’s what you can do:
1. Monitor Your Symptoms
If you have pain – any pain, but particularly if it is sharp, constant pain in your back, side, or belly – note how intense it is and how long it lasts. The symptoms of kidney stone pain are characterized by severity that increases every time the stone shifts in the renal tract. Changes in urination include passing diluted, dark, red or brown colored urine or having to strain when passing urine.
2. Use a Home Urine Test
In some cases, home urine tests available over the counter can help detect the presence of blood or crystals, which are signs of kidney stones. However, these tests may not be able to detect all types of kidney stones. They can be a helpful tool, but they are not a substitute for professional medical evaluation.
3. Hydrate Regularly
Kidney stones are often caused by dehydration. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help flush out small stones from the urinary tract. If you suspect you have a kidney stone, staying hydrated may reduce the pain and prevent the stone from growing larger.
4. Pass Stones and Save Them
If you pass a kidney stone, collect it and bring it to your healthcare provider. Stones can be analyzed to determine the type of stone and help your doctor create an appropriate treatment plan.
When to See a Doctor
If you have any such symptoms or if you think that you have developed kidney stones, you need to go see your doctor immediately. Medical professionals use various diagnostic methods to confirm kidney stones, including:
- Imaging tests: Kidney stones can be diagnosed through ultrasound, X-rays, or CT scans, which helps also to establish the size and location of the stone.
- Urine tests: These are useful in determining the presence of blood or crystals in the urine, which is an important parameter in diagnosing a kidney stone.
- Blood tests: These tests can help identify a high amount of calcium, which is one of the leading causes of kidney stones or uric acid.
Conclusion
It is possible to perform tests to verify the presence of kidney stones at home, but the best diagnosis and treatment options need a professional’s input. In the case of symptoms or if one thinks he or she has kidney stones, there is a need to consult a doctor. This is why any symptoms that you feel should be reported to the doctor and treated in the early stage so as to avoid any problems in the future.