Kidney Stones · Short answers
Will my kidney stone pass on its own?
Many small stones do. A stone of roughly five millimeters or less often passes within a few weeks.
The short answer
Many small stones do. A stone of roughly five millimeters or less often passes within a few weeks.
A closer look
Larger stones are less likely to pass, and stones higher up take longer. Drinking water, pain control, and sometimes a medicine that relaxes the ureter can help.
But waiting has limits. A stone that sits too long can harm the kidney.
What you can do next
Get checked if your stone hasn't passed in about four weeks or the pain keeps returning.
How we talk about this in Johns Creek and Cumming
Our urologists in Johns Creek and Cumming use this page as a shared starting point with you. Bring prior results if you have them, and we will connect the scripted points here to what we find in the room.
A related official video
An official Advanced Urology video on this topic.
Watch: Kidney Stones? 3 Ways to Remove ThemWhat the video covers. Titled "Kidney Stones? 3 Ways to Remove Them." The official video, featuring Dr. Casey McCullough, addresses treatment choices for a kidney stone that will not pass, with the public description pointing to size, location, hardness, and overall health as the decision factors.
Where to read more
- Our page on this topic
- Johns Creek Clinic & Surgery Center
- Cumming Clinic
- Read this topic on learn.advancedurology.com
- Related page on advancedurology.com
Related articles
- Is iced tea bad for kidney stones?
- Should I cut out calcium since my stones are calcium-based?
- Kidney stone pain — when the ER is right
Will my kidney stone pass on its own?
Many small stones do. A stone of roughly five millimeters or less often passes within a few weeks.
Can I discuss this at either office?
Yes. We see patients at the Johns Creek Clinic & Surgery Center and at the Cumming Clinic. Mention kidney stones when you book, and we will place the visit.
Request a visit at Advanced Urology to go over your options. Call 678-344-8900 or Book online.
Whenever a visit would help, the Johns Creek and Cumming teams are a phone call or a booked appointment away.