Which department should I go to for kidney stones?

Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
Updated on December 08, 2024
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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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What department should I go to for kidney stones?

Kidney stones are a urological condition requiring treatment at a hospital's urology department. Diagnosis involves imaging, such as ultrasound or CT scans, to determine the stone's exact size and location for appropriate treatment. If the stone is relatively small, with a diameter of six millimeters or less, referred to as a small stone, it generally does not require special treatment. Increased fluid intake, frequent urination, and exercise can help facilitate the expulsion of the stone. If the stone's diameter is between 0.7 and 1.5 centimeters, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or ureteroscopy may be considered. For larger stones exceeding 1.5 centimeters, possibly accompanied by hydronephrosis, the recommended treatments are percutaneous nephrolithotomy or open surgery for stone removal.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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How to relieve pain during a kidney stone attack?

When kidney stones occur, there are often significant pain symptoms. This is mainly due to the smaller stones in the kidney moving within the kidney or falling into the ureter, stimulating the ureter wall, causing ureteral spasms and subsequent pain. The pain usually appears suddenly and can be very intense. In such cases, it is necessary to go to the hospital promptly for spasm relief and pain treatment. Medications such as scopolamine, atropine, or tramadol can be used for pain relief. If necessary, scopolamine may need to be administered intravenously. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Hu Lin
Nephrology
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Causes of Kidney Stones

The causes of kidney stone formation include the following: One reason is the increased amount of stone-forming components in the urine. Various factors that cause an increase in the concentration of salts, uric acid, oxalates, and cystine in the urine can exceed their solubility. This results in the precipitation and crystallization from the urine, which further grows into stones. For example, hyperuricemia can lead to an increased excretion of urinary uric acid, making it easy to form urate stones. Secondly, the reduction in urine substances that inhibit stone formation, including decreases in citrate and magnesium, can promote stone formation. Third, urinary tract obstruction and infection can lead to stone formation. In cases of urinary tract obstruction and poor urine flow, small crystals formed in the urine can easily adhere to the epithelial cells of the urinary tract, becoming the nucleus of the stone. Urinary tract obstruction may also lead to urinary tract infections where bacteria, pus, and damaged, necrotic epithelial cells can also form the core of stones and gradually develop into larger stones. Fourth, diet and hydration play significant roles. Long-term, high intake of high-protein, high-sodium, high-sugar foods can cause increased excretion of urinary calcium and uric acid, while reducing citrate levels, thus promoting stone formation. A decrease in water intake can also cause urine concentration, further promoting stone formation. Fifth, environmental factors and genetic factors are considered to be related to the formation of kidney stones. It is believed that the hardness of water and genetic factors also have certain relationships with kidney stone formation.

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Written by Zou De Bo
Urology
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What is the best treatment for kidney stones?

Kidney stones are generally treated by drinking a lot of water. Smaller stones may be expelled due to the push of a large volume of urine. Secondly, antispasmodic analgesics like M-type cholinergic receptor blockers can be used to relax the ureteral smooth muscle and alleviate spasms. Thirdly, controlling infection is crucial because urinary tract obstructions caused by stones are prone to infections, and infections often lead to the formation of struvite stones, perpetuating a vicious cycle that exacerbates the condition. It is essential to actively remove obstructions caused by stones and use antibiotics for prevention. Fourth, surgical treatment should be considered when pain cannot be alleviated by medication or when the stone is too large.

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Written by Chen Feng
Urology
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What is the best treatment for kidney stones?

The treatment methods for kidney stones vary based on the size of the stone and whether it causes obstruction. If the kidney stone is relatively small and can pass through the ureter and urethra on its own, no special treatment is needed. In such cases, drinking more water, urinating frequently, and jumping can help the stone to pass naturally. If the kidney stone is relatively large but does not cause obstruction in the kidney or bladder, these patients can be temporarily observed with regular check-ups to monitor the stone's condition, without needing special treatment. Only when a large stone gets stuck at the junction of the renal pelvis, ureter, or urethra during its passage does it cause urinary obstruction, and the patient may also experience pain. In such cases, the treatment generally involves surgically removing the stone.