Renal colic is very painful. You probably already know if you’ve been through it. But what can we do from the moment it appears? How to relieve it at home?
Renal colic becomes, according to statistics, one of the most frequent ailments in hospital emergencies. Caused, as we will see, by the presence of a stone or calculus that obstructs urine output, it usually feels like tremendously intense pain that comes and goes, which is felt on one side of the abdomen. Because of this, knowing what to do from the first moment we feel it is very helpful, especially to reduce the pain and the intense symptoms to the maximum.
But severe pain is not the only symptom that tends to appear in the presence of kidney colic. Others usually appear as obvious as for example is the case of nausea and vomiting due to the intense pain. And it is also usually common to have a great need to urinate and, when it is achieved (since it usually costs a lot), urination in addition to being scarce hurts a lot.
The truth is that the most advisable thing is to go quickly to the doctor from the moment the first symptoms begin to be felt. That is, from the moment we notice a very intense pain which is located on one side of the abdomen, and is also accompanied by nausea and vomiting, it is highly recommended to go to the emergency room as soon as possible.
The main reason is clear: although it is common for the stone or kidney stone that is causing the colic to end up passing on its own (especially if it is small), sometimes it is necessary to break it or remove it medically, which causes the pain to remain, being able to worsen the clinical picture regarding pain if you do not go to the doctor and receive treatment quickly.
What you can do at home at the first symptoms of kidney colic:
Believe it or not, kidney colic episodes tend to increase during the summer and fall months. However, it is not known for sure why this is due, since a certain significant relationship is not observed as a function of temperature or humidity.
In any case, if the symptoms of renal colic begin to appear, first and foremost, you must remain calm and avoid getting nervous. Although you may not believe it, the truth is that the nervousness and anxiety that we can feel at times when renal colic and pain arise can further aggravate the symptoms. Therefore, try to calm down and relax as much as you can.
Although the pain does not tend to improve when you change posture or stay at rest, the heat applied to the area where it arises does usually help a lot. In this sense, a recommended option is to apply local heat with the help of an electric blanket or a hot water bottle.
In some cases, getting into the fetal position can help ease symptoms and reduce discomfort. But as we mentioned earlier, it doesn’t always work.
It is also advisable to drink water in small sips, but always in small amounts. You know why? Mainly because the pressure of the liquid when taking it can aggravate the pain, making it even more intense and unbearable.
On the other hand, avoid self-medicating. If you go to the emergency room or hospital, and feel pain from colic, it is common for the doctor to prescribe drugs with both anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, which will positively help you reduce the symptoms until the moment the stone is expelled.
After renal colic has passed, how can we prevent it from appearing?
We must bear in mind that kidney colic tends to arise as a consequence of the presence of a stone or calculus, which obstructs the normal flow of urine. These stones form in the kidneys due to the accumulation of certain substances present in the urine. The most common is due to the presence of uric acid, although they can also exist due to cystinta and oxalates.
Once we have had a clinical picture of renal colic, and we have managed to expel the stone, a good way to prevent it from re-forming in the kidneys is by following the advice that we propose below:
- Drink between 1.5 to 2 liters of water every day.
- Reduce your salt intake.
- Avoid excess sugar, also reducing your intake.
- Do not abuse proteins of animal origin.
By following these tips you can help your kidneys not to form or accumulate the dreaded and painful stones or stones.
