How to alleviate urethral stone pain?

Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
Updated on September 10, 2024
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Urethral calculi refer to the condition where stones get stuck in the urethra causing pain symptoms, and in severe cases, completely block the urethra leading to urinary retention. For this condition, common pain medications are ineffective, and it is necessary to promptly visit the hospital's urology department for a surgical procedure to remove the stones, restore the smooth flow of urination, and minimize damage to the urethra by the stones. Typically, a ureteroscope or cystoscope can be used for holmium laser lithotripsy, or the stones can first be pushed back into the bladder and then fragmented inside the bladder, flushing the crushed stones out of the body. Only after the stones are expelled, the pain symptoms can be fundamentally relieved.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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Do urethral stones require hospitalization?

After suffering from urethral stones, whether hospitalization is necessary depends first on examinations such as color Doppler ultrasound and CT scans to determine the exact location and size of the stones within the urethra. If the stones are relatively small, such as about five millimeters, hospitalization is not necessary. By drinking more water and urinating frequently, the flushing action of the urine can expel the stones from the body. However, if the stones are larger and become lodged in the urethra, causing significant hematuria or even urinary retention, it is advisable to hospitalize immediately and proceed with surgery. Using a ureteroscope with holmium laser lithotripsy, the stones can be shattered and expelled from the body.

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Written by Guan Hai Fang
Urology
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What can you eat with urethral stones?

It is recommended that patients eat more diuretic foods and fruits, such as apples, pears, peaches, oranges, and especially watermelon, which can produce a large amount of urine, flush the urethra, and possibly carry out small stones. Also, it is important to drink plenty of water every day, more than two liters, especially before going to bed—at least 500 milliliters—so that the urine volume is greater the next morning, making it easier to flush out the stones. Furthermore, patients are advised not to eat spicy and irritating foods, not to drink alcohol, especially strong spirits, and not to eat seafood, as urinary stones can easily lead to symptoms of urinary infection, and consuming these spicy and irritating foods can worsen the symptoms of infection.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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Is urethral calculus easy to treat?

Urethral stones are relatively easy to treat. For smaller stones, drinking more water and urinating frequently can help flush the stones out of the body with the flow of urine. If the stones are larger and cause blood in the urine, difficulty urinating, or even urinary retention, they can also be treated with a cystoscope or ureteroscope. Under direct vision, the stones can be broken up with a holmium laser and removed, generally without the need for open surgery. Therefore, if you suffer from urethral stones, there is no need to worry excessively. It is sufficient to promptly visit the hospital's urology department for diagnostic procedures such as ultrasounds or CT scans to determine the exact size and location of the stones, and then choose the appropriate treatment method.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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What should I do if I have hematuria due to urinary stones?

Urethral stones accompanied by hematuria mainly occur because the stones damage the mucosa and blood vessels of the urethra, causing blood in the urine. In such cases, one should first go to the hospital's urology department and undergo examinations such as color Doppler ultrasound and CT to determine the specific location and size of the stone, and then proceed with targeted treatment. If the stone is located in the posterior urethra, it is advised to push the stone back into the bladder using a cystoscope, then use a holmium laser under cystoscopic guidance to break the stone and expel it from the body. If the stone is located in the anterior urethra, it can be fragmented using a holmium laser through a ureteroscope and expelled, or a urethrotomy can be performed to remove the stone.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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How to treat urethral stones?

Urethral stones can cause symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, pain during urination, and hematuria. In severe cases, they can completely block the urethra, leading to urinary retention. If the stones are relatively small, this condition can often be resolved by drinking plenty of fluids and urinating frequently, relying on the flushing action of the urine to expel the stones from the body. However, if the stones are larger and cause urinary retention, it is necessary to promptly use a cystoscope or ureteroscope to visually crush the stones with a holmium laser and expel them from the body. After the procedure, a urinary catheter is left in place, and recovery typically takes about a week. It is important to drink plenty of water and urinate frequently to prevent the formation of stones.