Can you poop out a kidney stone? Answered!

The possibility of pooping out a kidney stone is rare due to the distinct pathways of the urinary and digestive systems in the body. Kidney stones are formed in the kidneys and pass through the urinary tract. On the other hand, the digestive tract manages to prevent kidney stones through the digestion of food and the removal of solid was as stool carries urine out through the anus.

But, have you ever wondered why we cannot poop out a kidney stone through the digestive system? Here, we have discussed in detail the reasons for the different symptoms of kidney stones. 

Can you poop out kidney stones?

No. Kidney stones typically pass through the urinary tract rather than the digestive system. The small stones can form in the kidneys and can travel through the ureters (tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder). In rare cases, extremely small kidney stones might pass through the digestive system without causing noticeable discomfort. It is important to note that it is not the usual route for kidney stones and consulting a urologist in this situation is crucial to prevent stones elsewhere.

What is a kidney stone? And it’s symptoms

A kidney stone is a solid crystalline mineral deposit that forms in the kidneys or urinary tract due to the concentration of certain substances in the urine. These stones can vary greatly in size, from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a marble, and can cause intense pain as they pass through the urinary tract.

Different symptoms of kidney stones are - 

• Severe pain in the side and back.
• Painful or frequent urination.
• Nausea and vomiting are often accompanied by fever or chills.
• Blood in the urine.
• Sharp and stabbing pain that comes in waves.
• Restlessness and discomfort as the stone moves or blocks the flow of urine.
• Difficulty in passing urine.

Why can’t you poop out kidney stones?

Kidney stones are solid mineral and salt deposits that form in the kidneys and can cause intense pain as they pass through the urinary tract. However, the idea of passing kidney stones through stool is not practical because of the anatomical differences between both kidneys and the urinary and digestive systems.

The urinary system and other substances of the digestive system are two completely different systems in the human body. The kidneys, where kidney stones form are part of the urinary system. The digestive system includes the stomach, intestines, and rectum which are responsible for processing food and eliminating waste in the form of stool.

Kidney stones are usually developed as tiny crystals that gradually grow and convert into large stones. These developing kidney stones can cause move through the urinary system, then pass from the kidneys down to the ureter, and from here they can eventually be passed out of the body through urine.

Kidney stones are typically too large to pass through the rectum, the last opening of the digestive system. As compared, to the urinary tract the rectum has a much smaller opening and the stones cannot be passed. Most kidney stones are larger than the diameter of the rectum, making it physically impossible to be excreted through bowel movements. 

Moreover, passing a kidney stone through the digestive system could cause severe complications. The sharp edges of kidney stones could damage the delicate tissues of the digestive tract. 

Furthermore, kidney stones and stool are composed differently. The stool consists of undigested food, bacteria, waste material concentrated urine, and water forming a softer substance that can be removed from the body through the rectum. On the other hand, kidney stones are solid masses and typically do not break down easily, making them unable to eliminate like stool.

For the smooth functioning of the body, kidney stones must pass through the urinary system to exit the body. However, exceptionally tiny kidney stones can cause and might easily pass through the digestive system. These small kidney stones may be excreted with stool, but this is not common because of the size and composition of kidney stones.

In cases where kidney stones cause severe pain or blockages in the urinary tract then seeking medical help is necessary. An urologist may prescribe some medications to help in passing smaller stones or perform procedures like lithotripsy or ureteroscopy to remove larger stones. 

Final Thoughts

Passing kidney stones through the rectum is not possible without medical conditions and can cause severe difficulties. These stones are usually too large for bowel passage and travel through the urinary system, causing extreme pain and discomfort. Trying to push a kidney stone through the digestive system will cause discomfort and should not be attempted under any circumstances. If you are experiencing symptoms, then consult a urologist for appropriate further treatment options and best guidance.