Patient's question:
There is no pain sensation that lasted only for a while during the National Day holiday, but it wasn't long. Last year's physical examination said there was a one-centimeter-sized stone in the left kidney. Is it possible that it has dropped into the ureter this year?Doctor's answer:
Hello!! The main factors or causes of kidney stones, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), are considered to be "kidney heat transforming into fire and stone formation," and they often persist without improvement. This is a common experience among most kidney stone patients. Based on your description, you are likely experiencing this exact factor or cause. If this is the case, the most obvious symptom is the continuous formation of stones—even if they are shattered, new ones will form, creating a vicious cycle. Many Western doctors recommend breaking up the stones, but most do so while also damaging the kidneys. Once the kidneys are damaged, Western medicine has even fewer effective solutions, and the condition becomes more severe. Therefore, I recommend treating the root cause with traditional Chinese medicine. Only TCM can address this issue, which means using traditional Chinese medicine to properly regulate and treat kidney problems over time. As for which medicine to take? I believe that the medicine should be tailored to your specific condition, symptoms, age, and other factors. Customized traditional Chinese medicine is the best and most effective way to prevent the formation of new stones. This is what is meant by treating the root of the disease and preventing recurrence from the source, which is the best treatment approach.Medical Advice: TCM primarily focuses on clearing dampness and heat, promoting diuresis and stone expulsion. Common formulas include modified Shiwei Powder, with ingredients such as:
- Shiwei 12g
- Dongkuizi 12g
- Qumai 12g
- Huashi 12g
- Cheqianzi 15g
- Jinqiancao 15g
- Haishengsa 12g
- Jineiji 12g
- Shaoyao 12g
- Gancao 6g
If the urine contains blood, add Xiaojiao, Shengdi, and Ouji to cool the blood and stop bleeding. Currently, there are various dissolving and expelling stone decoctions and patent medicines available, but they should all be used under the guidance of a doctor.
When using traditional Chinese medicine to treat urinary stones, the following points should be noted:
- Appropriate use of TCM stone-expelling therapy requires:
1. Stones with a diameter smaller than 1.0 cm, regular shape, smooth surface, and freely floating in the renal pelvis without adhesion to the renal calyces.
2. No obvious urinary tract deformities, stenosis, or infections.
3. Good renal function.
4. Ability to drink large amounts of water and engage in beneficial stone-expelling physical activities.
Only by fully understanding the conditions for using stone-expelling medicine can patients make the best self-selection among various treatment options.
Lifestyle Management: When taking stone-expelling medicine, it is important to drink plenty of water and stay active.
- During medication, drink a large amount of water daily (2000–3000 mL) to ensure urine output exceeds 2000 mL per day. This helps dilute urine, reduce salt precipitation, and facilitate stone expulsion.
- Encourage yourself to jump, run, and do regular exercise to promote stone movement and descent, aiding in natural expulsion.
Dietary Recommendations:
- During treatment, dietary principles for urinary stone patients lean toward a low-animal-protein, high-vitamin vegetarian diet.
- Limit meat intake and avoid animal organs. Daily protein intake should not exceed 90g.
- Reduce consumption of spinach, mushrooms, cauliflower, and increase fruit intake.
- Alkalizing urine is important for preventing and treating uric acid stones. Choose alkaline vegetables and fruits to maintain urine pH between 6.2 and 6.5.