Kidney Stone Treatment
This content is based on clinical guidelines (AUA/EAU) for educational use. It does not replace a professional medical consultation. Please consult a specialized doctor before starting any treatment mentioned.
There are many options available for kidney stone treatment, ranging from adopting healthy lifestyles to taking medication and possibly even resorting to surgery.
It depends on the size and location of the stones formed, their type, the severity of the pain and symptoms you are experiencing, and the complications associated with that, such as a blockage in the urinary tract or a defect in kidney function.
1- Waiting for the kidney stone to pass
Usually, the kidney stones that form are small enough that your body alone can pass them through your urine. Your doctor may suggest you wait 2–4 weeks and watch for the kidney stones to clear up naturally.
During this period, you should drink a lot of water, about 3 liters per day, and make it a daily habit that will continue even after recovery to prevent the formation of new stones.
2- Medicines for kidney stone treatment
Sometimes, even though your stones are small, their presence can cause pain, discomfort, and more. Depending on your situation, your doctor may recommend any of the following:
Pain relievers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and paracetamol.
Alpha-blockers (such as tamsulosin) relax the muscles lining the ureter (a cylindrical tube that transports urine from the kidney to the bladder) and thus widen the passage through it, making it easier for stones to pass through and exit on their own.
In cases of acute pain, it is necessary to go to the emergency room to take opioid analgesics and intravenous anti-inflammatories and follow up on the case closely with the doctor.
3- Surgery for kidney stone treatment
Sometimes, formed kidney stones can become stuck in the urinary tract or be too large to pass naturally. Such stones may block the urinary tract, leading to difficulty urinating or repeated urinary tract infections, which may force your doctor to use a minimally invasive surgical procedure to break up and remove the stones.
There are three basic techniques approved for kidney stone surgery. Your doctor will explain the benefits and risks of each option to help you choose the most appropriate method for your case, considering several factors, including the size and location of your stone, the medications you are taking, your health status, and your preferences.
A shockwave sound for kidney stone treatment
With simple, non-invasive outpatient treatment options, you can go home the same day and resume your daily activities in two to three days. It takes about 45–60 minutes and may require light sedation.
It is an effective way to break up small and medium-sized kidney stones (less than 20 mm in size). This technique is based on directing high-energy sound waves from outside the body through the skin towards large stones to break them up during collision into smaller pieces that are eliminated by passing them through the urine.
Shock waves are one of the widely used and safe options for breaking up kidney stones. Blood in the urine, especially in the first few days after treatment, is a possible side effect.
If you suffer from the formation of large or hard kidney stones, especially those composed of calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, or cysteine, shock waves are not among the effective options available.
B- Endoscope and laser for kidney stone treatment
Ureteroscopy, a recent therapeutic procedure that breaks up kidney stones, is performed under general anesthesia without any incisions in the body, allowing you to leave on the same day.The doctor inserts it through the urinary opening and urethra to the bladder and then into the ureter to remove kidney and ureter stones.
The doctor uses direct laser beams or shock waves to break up the stones, allowing them to be easily removed through urine, depending on the course of the operation and your health condition.
C- Percutaneous extraction for kidney stone treatment
It is the best option for removing large kidney stones, especially after other treatment options have failed to break them down. It is done under general anesthesia and requires a stay in the hospital for a day or two until the patient recovers completely.
During the operation, the doctor makes a small incision in the back to pass the endoscope into the kidney where the stones are located. This allows the doctor to see the stones, determine their exact location, and then direct a source of energy, such as a laser or ultrasound, to break up the stones into small pieces that are suctioned through an external tube.
This article was written and reviewed by Dr. Hassan Ali - Urologist
Medical References :
Content curated according to international clinical guidelines:
- American Urological Association (AUA).
- European Association of Urology (EAU).
- Campbell-Walsh Urology Textbook.
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