Is kidney stones serious?

Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
Updated on September 29, 2024
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Whether kidney stones are serious depends on the specific size and location of the stones, and whether there is accompanying kidney hydronephrosis or infection. If it is just a small stone inside the kidney, such as one with a diameter of about five millimeters, this situation is not serious. By drinking more water, urinating frequently, exercising more, and combining with medications like stone expulsion granules and stone expulsion solutions, the stones can generally be expelled from the body. If the stones are large and cause kidney hydronephrosis, or even lead to pyelonephritis or renal abscesses, this situation is more serious. It requires anti-inflammatory treatment and timely surgical intervention to remove the stones, relieve the obstruction of the urinary system, and protect kidney function.

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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 Jian
Urology
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Is kidney stone surgery painful?

For the treatment of kidney stones, larger kidney stones or multiple stones, stag-horn stones might consider surgical treatment. There are two types of surgery, the first is percutaneous nephrolithotomy, which involves inserting a nephroscope through a puncture in the kidney to break up and expel the stones from the body; the second type of surgery is ureteroscopy, which does not require an incision, by entering the kidney through the urethra and ureter, and then breaking up the stones and expelling them from the body. Both surgical methods are performed under anesthesia, so the patient will not feel pain. However, pain after ureteroscopy is typically less than that after percutaneous nephrolithotomy, which requires absolute bed rest post-operation, while ureteroscopy does not.

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Written by Zeng Zhong
Urology
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Can people with kidney stones eat pineapple?

Patients with kidney stones can eat pineapple, as well as seasonal vegetables and fruits, as these have no impact on kidney stones. However, patients should avoid spicy and stimulating foods, and refrain from drinking alcohol. Treatment plans for kidney stones should be based on their size. It is advisable to first visit a hospital for urinary system ultrasonography and CT scans to assess the size of the stones. Smaller kidney stones may be treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, while larger stones may require surgical intervention.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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Are urinary stones the same as kidney stones?

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 Zeng Zhong
Urology
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Do you need to be hospitalized for kidney stones?

Patients with kidney stones need to decide on a treatment plan based on the size of the stones, which determines whether hospitalization is necessary. For kidney stones smaller than 1.5 cm, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy can be utilized, allowing the patient to avoid hospitalization. After treatment, the patient can go home, where it is advised to engage in physical activity, drink plenty of water, and urinate frequently to facilitate the expulsion of the stones. A follow-up ultrasound of the urinary system should be conducted one week later at the hospital to monitor the status of the stone expulsion. If the stones are larger than 1.5 cm, surgical treatment is required, which necessitates hospitalization.