Are urinary stones the same as kidney stones?

Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
Updated on November 01, 2024
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Urinary stones and kidney stones are not exactly the same. Urinary stones refer to stones in the urinary system, including kidney stones, ureter stones, bladder stones, and urethral stones. Therefore, kidney stones are just one type of stones in the urinary system, and urinary stones include kidney stones. If kidney stones occur, one should promptly visit the hospital's urology department for examinations such as ultrasound or CT scans. This facilitates understanding the specific size, location, number of stones, and whether there is accompanying hydronephrosis or infection, allowing for targeted treatment. If the stones are small, drinking plenty of water, urinating frequently, and exercising can help expel the stones from the body. If the stones are large, or there is hydronephrosis, it is advisable to consider surgery as soon as possible.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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How is kidney stone surgery performed?

How is kidney stone surgery performed? For kidney stone surgery, if the indications for surgical treatment are met, it is generally carried out in the following ways: The traditional method is open stone removal, which involves large traumas and high risks, adversely affecting the patient's postoperative recovery. Nowadays, there are some minimally invasive techniques, such as crushing the stones with a laser and then removing the stones through a corresponding tube, or directly removing the stones using a corresponding soft-endoscope. Therefore, the choice of surgery for kidney stones is generally based on related examinations to select an appropriate treatment method to alleviate the patient's condition.

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Written by Guan Hai Fang
Urology
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Is it easy to treat kidney stones?

If kidney stones are treated using extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, the procedure depends on the size and location of the stones, among other factors. Whether the stones can be effectively expelled after the procedure also varies from person to person, but generally, it tends to be successful. Kidney stones are caused by the accumulation of crystalline substances in the kidneys, and there are many reasons for the formation of kidney stones, including diet, genetics, environment, occupation, and other factors. The specific cause can only be confirmed after the stone is removed for pathological analysis. Generally, when the stones are relatively small, such as less than 0.5 centimeters, it is advisable to drink more water and undergo some important auxiliary treatments. Under the guidance of a physician, medication can be used as needed. For stones measuring 0.5 to 2 centimeters, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is required to break the stones and then expel them. If the stone exceeds 2 centimeters, surgical treatment is generally necessary.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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What should not be eaten with kidney stones

Patients with kidney stones do not have absolute dietary prohibitions. However, it is advisable to consume less food high in calcium, oxalates, and purines. Foods high in purines are mainly found in seafood, animal offal, beer, and beverages. High-calcium foods are primarily found in soy products and dairy products, such as soy milk, tofu, and cow's milk. Foods high in oxalates include celery, spinach, etc. These foods can be consumed in moderation in daily life, but should not be used in large amounts over a long period to avoid further growth and increase of stones. It is also important to drink plenty of water, urinate frequently, and engage in appropriate physical exercise to effectively prevent the occurrence of kidney stones. Additionally, for patients who have already developed kidney stones, it is necessary to timely decide on conservative stone expulsion or surgical treatment based on the size of the stones.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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Which department should I go to for kidney stones?

After developing kidney stones, it is necessary to promptly visit the urology department of a hospital for examination and treatment. Diagnostic procedures such as ultrasound, CT scans, and imaging are required to determine the exact location and size of the stones. If the stone inside the kidney is small, around five millimeters, this can often be managed by increasing water intake, frequent urination, exercising, and using medications such as stone-expelling granules and effervescent agents to facilitate the expulsion of the stones from the body. If the stone is large and causes hydronephrosis of the kidney, surgery is recommended as soon as possible. If there is a concurrent infection, it is necessary to control the infection before proceeding with surgical treatment.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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How to deal with kidney stones?

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.