“Do you have to go to the hospital for a kidney stone?”
I am a 54 year old female. I want to know do you have to go to the hospital for a kidney stone?
5 Answers
Not necessarily
If you can pass it without pain medications, then you don't need to go. However strain your urine to catch the stone--urinate into a container, then if there appears to be a stone there, pour the urine through a fine strainer or handkerchief or paper towel--and save it. Make sure that you follow up with your primary physician.
A patient does not have to go the hospital for all kidney stones, unless the pain is 10 out of 10 and the patient needs IV pain medication or unless the patient has fever and chills which point towards an infection from the kidney stone or a urinary tract infection.
Yes, if pain is severe, you need IV pain medication to control the pain. As well to start IV hydration so that you can pass the stone.
Thank you for your question!
In general, kidney stones do not require hospital care if the pain is manageable. Patients who have enduring one-sided pain should be assessed by their primary care provider and consideration should be given to getting labs and imaging. The reason for this is to make sure that there is not signs of kidney damage or blockage of the urine outflow, which can be an
urgent condition. Even in this setting, though, with the appropriate supports in the community, patients can have their needs met without being hospitalized.
Sincerely,
Andrew Brookens
In general, kidney stones do not require hospital care if the pain is manageable. Patients who have enduring one-sided pain should be assessed by their primary care provider and consideration should be given to getting labs and imaging. The reason for this is to make sure that there is not signs of kidney damage or blockage of the urine outflow, which can be an
urgent condition. Even in this setting, though, with the appropriate supports in the community, patients can have their needs met without being hospitalized.
Sincerely,
Andrew Brookens
