Patient's question:
How can you relieve the pain of kidney stones?Doctor's answer:
Hello:Kidney stones combined with ureteral stones are relatively common in clinical practice, and they can be clearly diagnosed through ultrasound examination. Generally, multiple kidney stones that fall off and enter the ureter can be diagnosed as ureteral stones. They often cause ureteral obstruction, leading to renal pelvis dilation and hydronephrosis. They typically present with lower back pain and discomfort, severe renal colic, causing great suffering to patients. Lower and middle ureteral stones can reflect pain in the penis, testicles, and perineal area. Accompanied by symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. It is recommended to use extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) as the first choice for stone removal treatment, and to start early treatment as soon as possible for better stone removal results.
First, let me explain that the principle of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is fundamentally different from extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). The advantage of ESWL lies in its non-invasive nature to organs, thorough stone removal, and minimal pain for patients, making it more acceptable. In contrast, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) causes organ damage and is more painful. ESWL technology employs high-frequency superconducting fluid dynamic shock wave three-dimensional integrated stone removal technology, assisted by large digital ultrasound for positioning. It features accurate positioning, fast stone removal, and complete stone removal from bile duct stones, ureteral stones, allowing stones to move out as they are removed, especially effective for intrahepatic biliary stones. The most prominent feature of this equipment is its user-friendly operability, thorough stone removal for various types of stones, wide applicability, minimal side effects on the human body, painless stone removal process, generally no need for hospitalization, and low treatment costs, making it easily accepted by patients. It is a reliable, effective, simple, and practical treatment device with unique equipment and technical advantages. Therefore, it is the best choice for treating various types of stones. For ESWL treatment of kidney stones combined with ureteral stones under 10mm, it is necessary to first remove the ureteral stones before treating the kidney stones. Generally, after several stone removal treatments, stones can be completely removed. For larger stones, the principle of first crushing and then removing stones can be adopted to achieve complementary advantages. However, for ureteral stones, it is necessary to wait for 3-5 days after the local ureteral congestion and edema subside before starting stone removal treatment. Generally, stones are relatively easy to remove. Whether it is small ureteral stones or larger multiple kidney stones, due to the widespread use of ultrasound, the diagnosis of ureteral stones is relatively timely and easy. Small stones that just enter the ureter can generally be detected early, providing the best indication and timing for ESWL stone removal treatment. For stones that have been lodged in the ureter for a long time, it is generally difficult to remove and may require surgical or ureteroscopy procedures. At the same time, it is more important to provide patients with the latest measures for early stone removal treatment, avoiding excessive treatment methods that cause significant organ damage, poor effectiveness, pain, and high cost.
The indications and treatment scope of ESWL are as follows:
(1) For various kidney and ureteral stones less than 1.2 cm, ESWL should be the first choice for stone removal treatment. This is because it causes no kidney damage, ensures thorough stone removal, is safe and painless, and has no side effects from shock wave lithotripsy. If the stone diameter is greater than 1.2 cm, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) should be used first for crushing, followed by ESWL for thorough stone removal, achieving complementary advantages.
(2) This equipment is particularly suitable for acute ureteral stones and the hydronephrosis, renal pelvis dilation, ureteral obstruction, ureteral dilation, and renal colic they cause. It can quickly remove ureteral stones, relieve immediate pain, and rapidly alleviate symptoms. It is the preferred treatment for ureteral stones.
(3) For patients with multiple kidney stones on the same side combined with ureteral stones, the ureteral stones should be removed first, followed by the removal of multiple kidney stones, to prevent the formation of a "stone street" in the ureter.
(4) For large kidney stones treated with ESWL, the small stones remaining in the lower pole of the kidney, renal pelvis, and calyces are the best indication for ESWL for thorough stone removal. This is because the handheld high-frequency superconducting shock wave can directly touch the lower pole kidney stones, move them into the renal pelvis and ureter, and remove them from the body.
(5) For the stone removal treatment of the above various types of stones, due to complications such as urinary tract infections leading to pyelonephritis, ureteritis, cystitis, prostatitis, urethritis, as well as infections of the liver and biliary system leading to cholecystitis and intrahepatic or extrahepatic cholangitis, the inflammatory congestion and swelling of the mucosa can affect stone removal. Therefore, it is necessary to first undergo antibiotic anti-inflammatory treatment before starting ESWL stone removal treatment.
(6) For ESWL stone removal treatment, generally 1-3 treatments are sufficient to completely remove stones, with a duration of 5-7 days. Patients in good physical condition can undergo continuous stone removal treatment, while those with poorer physical fitness can have one stone removal treatment every other day. If patients have poor urinary function or are infected, the hospitalization period may be longer. According to clinical observations, Professor Chen Bangjing believes that ESWL is the leading new technology for treating stones both domestically and internationally. It is the preferred method for treating kidney stones, ureteral stones (which are generally removed within two hours), gallstones, and extrahepatic bile duct stones, as well as intrahepatic bile duct stones. Its completely thorough stone removal effect, lack of any organ side effects, and low cost have benefited a vast number of patients. For stones beyond the scope of ESWL, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy should be performed first, followed by stone removal treatment. For larger kidney cast stones and gallstones, it is recommended to undergo surgical stone removal as soon as they are detected. If you need treatment, please contact me by phone or communicate online. Thank you for your cooperation.