How to deal with kidney stones?

Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
Updated on September 03, 2024
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For the treatment of kidney stones, it is first necessary to determine the specific size and location of the stones, and whether there are conditions such as hydronephrosis or infection to guide the treatment approach. If the stones inside the kidney are relatively small, such as about five millimeters, conservative treatment is primarily used. This can involve drinking more water, urinating frequently, and exercising more. When necessary, oral medications like stone expulsion granules or solutions can be taken to help expel the stones from the body. If the stones are larger and accompanied by hydronephrosis or even infection, it is necessary to control the infection first and then proceed with surgical treatment. Common surgical methods include percutaneous nephrolithotomy, ureteroscopic lithotripsy, or open surgery for stone removal.

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Written by Wang Jian
Urology
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Is urethral calculus the same as kidney stones?

Urethral calculi and kidney stones are not the same concept. Urethral calculi refer to stones located in the urethra, while kidney stones are stones located within the kidney. The cause of urethral calculi is usually due to stones from the kidney or ureter becoming lodged in the urethra, which clinically often results in symptoms such as frequent urination, urgent urination, and difficulty urinating. Severe cases may lead to urinary retention. If kidney stones are small and smooth, they may not cause any symptoms. However, larger kidney stones can cause localized back pain, and if infected, may also lead to high fever. The treatment methods for kidney stones and urethral calculi are also different. Urethral calculi can generally be removed through surgery or endoscopic methods, while the treatment for kidney stones depends on the size and location of the stones.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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Are kidney stones severe?

The severity of kidney stones depends on the size of the stones and their location. For example, stones within the kidney parenchyma, if not large and not moving, generally do not cause much trouble. However, if the stones block the area of the renal pelvis and calyces, or even move downward to block the ureter, causing the urine produced by the kidneys to not be excreted smoothly, it will cause the patient to experience renal colic. This type of pain is very intense, radiating to the back and causing abdominal pain, as well as pain in the perineal area. Patients often may also experience fever and other clinical symptoms. Prolonged obstruction of the urinary system can lead to renal failure, which is quite dangerous.

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Written by Zeng Zhong
Urology
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How big must a kidney stone be to require lithotripsy?

If the kidney stone is between 0.5 and 1.5 centimeters in size, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is required. After the treatment, patients should drink more water, urinate frequently, and exercise more, such as running, jumping rope, and playing basketball, to facilitate the expulsion of the stones. Then, one week later, a follow-up visit to the hospital for an ultrasonic examination of the urinary system should be done to check the status of the stone expulsion. If the kidney stone is larger than 1.5 centimeters, minimally invasive surgery is required for stone disintegration, primarily using percutaneous nephrolithotomy with Holmium laser lithotripsy.

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Written by Chen Feng
Urology
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What are the symptoms of kidney stones?

The symptoms of kidney stones vary depending on the size of the stones and whether they cause obstruction. If the stones are relatively small, they can usually pass smoothly through the ureters and urethra and be expelled from the body without causing any symptoms. When the stones are expelled, small stones can be seen in the urine. If the kidney stones are relatively large but do not cause obstruction in the kidneys or bladder, they generally do not cause any symptoms. Symptoms occur only when larger stones move downward and become lodged in the ureters, causing back pain, nausea, and vomiting. The stones can scratch the walls of the ureters, leading to blood in the urine. When stones get stuck in the urethra, it can cause painful urination discomfort and perineal pain. Since the stones can scratch the inner walls of the urethra, they may also cause blood in the urine.

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Written by Zeng Zhong
Urology
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What department should I go to for kidney stones?

Patients with kidney stones need to visit the urology department of their local hospital for standard examinations and treatments. Doctors will conduct an ultrasound and CT scan of the urinary system to determine the exact size of the stones. If the stones are relatively small, measuring less than 1.52 centimeters, they can be treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. If the stones are larger, surgical treatment is necessary. Currently, the main method is a minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy with holmium laser lithotripsy. Patients generally need about 7-10 days post-operation before they can be discharged from the hospital.