Managing a Stone in the Kidney: What You Must Know

If you have a stone in the kidney, the strategy you take is very different than if the stone is already moving through the urinary tract. In this blog, I explain how to manage kidney stones based on their density, size, and location. Understanding these key factors can help you avoid unnecessary surgeries and painful setbacks.

Key Takeaways

• CT scans reveal your stone’s size and density, which guides treatment.

• Weak density stones can often be dissolved naturally with patience and consistency.

• Proper hydration and diet changes are critical to preventing stone growth.

• Avoid NSAIDs and manage pain carefully to support natural stone passage.

If you’ve just learned you have a kidney stone that’s still inside the kidney, your approach needs to be very different compared to a stone that’s actively moving through the urinary tract. I struggled for years to understand this difference myself.

Doctors often don't provide much clarity. Most advice I received was simply to drink more water or schedule surgery, neither of which felt like a great plan. As I dove deeper into learning about kidney stones, I discovered that managing a stone in the kidney requires a very specific strategy. 

The Importance of Stone Density

The first thing you need to understand is your stone's density. This is measured in something called Hounsfield Units (HU).

• Weak density stones: Less than 750 HU

• Dense stones: Greater than 750 HU

You can find out your stone’s density from a CT scan, which is considered the gold standard for kidney stone diagnosis. A CT scan not only shows the stone’s presence but also gives a 3D image with the stone's length, width, and diameter — all crucial for understanding if a stone can pass.

CT scans also use ionizing radiation, so I typically recommend doing it only for your first stone. Once you know the density and type of stone you tend to form, you usually won’t need frequent CTs moving forward.

How to Handle Dense Stones

If your stone is dense, you have to be very strategic.

• Stones under 10mm: In many cases, these can pass naturally.

• Stones over 10mm: Often require surgical intervention based on location, size, and density.

You want to avoid chugging large amounts of water. High-volume water intake can overload your kidneys, especially when they're already compromised. Instead, focus on consistent hydration throughout the day.

It’s also critical to prevent stone growth while the stone remains in your kidney. Dietary changes can stop your stone from getting bigger while you work toward passing or dissolving it.

Pain management is another major focus. Hydronephrosis, or urine backing up into the kidney, causes the intense pain many of us associate with stones. Be cautious with NSAIDs (like Advil) and opioids. These can interfere with stone passage or cause other serious issues.

Opportunities with Weak Density Stones

If you’re lucky enough to form a weak density stone (less than 750 HU), you have even more options.

Stone dissolving products can work wonders here. I personally developed CLEANSE after I was diagnosed with over 30 stones between my kidneys — one as large as two centimeters!

Over the course of a year, using a natural dissolution strategy, I dissolved every single stone. If you stay consistent and patient, weak density stones can dissolve completely without surgery.

• Kidney stones inside the kidney often take 1–3 months to dissolve using natural products.

• Stones located in the ureter often break down much faster — sometimes just a few weeks.

Again, consistent hydration is essential. A well-hydrated urinary tract remains more dilated, making it easier for stones to pass naturally.

Preventing New Stone Growth

Just like with dense stones, you need to stop fueling new stone formation. This means:

• Eliminating foods that promote stone formation

• Correcting metabolic dysfunction that may be impacting your urine chemistry

• Staying alert to any changes in pain or symptoms

Pain management still matters here, too. Fortunately, many natural stone dissolving products also help relieve pain, making your journey smoother.

My Final Advice on Managing a Stone in the Kidney

If you know your stone’s density and size, you have powerful tools to manage it the right way. Whether your stone is dense or weak, understanding your situation gives you the best chance to avoid surgery and support natural healing.

Stay consistent. Stay hydrated. Make smart dietary changes. And remember — your body can heal itself when you give it the right tools.

If you’re ready to take the next step toward freedom from kidney stones, I highly encourage you to look into natural stone dissolving strategies or join our community where we help guide you through this journey.