What is the best treatment for urethral stones?

Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
Updated on September 07, 2024
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For the treatment of urethral stones, we first need to use ultrasonography or CT scans to determine the exact location and size of the stones within the urethra for treatment. If the stone is relatively small, such as about five millimeters, this condition can be treated by drinking more water and urinating frequently, relying on the flushing action of the urine to expel the stone from the body promptly. If the stone is larger, and has caused obstruction in the urethra, it is necessary to see the specific location of the stone. If it is causing obstruction in the posterior urethra, a cystoscope can be used to push the stone back into the bladder before performing lithotripsy. If the obstruction is in the anterior urethra, a small amount of liquid paraffin oil can be injected into the urethra to squeeze the stone out, or treatment can be conducted through holmium laser lithotripsy or open surgical stone removal.

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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 about urethral stone pain?

Urethral stones can easily irritate the urethral mucosa, causing urethral pain which intensifies during urination. Some patients may also experience significant urinary obstruction and urinary retention. In such cases, it is crucial to visit the hospital's urology department promptly for examinations such as ultrasonography and CT scans to determine the exact location and size of the stone for appropriate treatment. If the pain is severe, pain relief medication can be used initially before addressing the stone. If the stone is relatively small, drinking plenty of water and frequent urination can help expel the stone from the body. If the stone is large, timely surgical intervention is necessary to break and remove the stone. Only by removing the stone can the root cause of the pain be fundamentally resolved.

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Written by Wang Jian
Urology
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What to eat for urethral stones?

The treatment of urethral stones depends on the size of the stone. If the stone is very small, it can be expelled from the body through increased physical activity and water consumption; generally, stones less than 0.4cm can be expelled. Larger stones may become lodged in the urethra, causing difficulty urinating or even urine retention. A urethral probe can be used to push the stone into the bladder, where it can then be broken up using surgery or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, and subsequently expelled from the body. If the urethral stone is very close to the urinary opening, it can also be directly removed with hemostatic forceps. Therefore, the dietary considerations for someone with a urethral stone depend primarily on the size and position of the stone, with most requiring repositioning into the bladder or surgery.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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Can urethral stones cause urgent urination?

Urethral stones can cause symptoms of urinary urgency because the stones stimulate the urethra, causing urgency. In addition to urgency, symptoms include frequent urination and painful urination, and in severe cases, blood in the urine may occur. If the stone is relatively large, it can block the urethra, leading to symptoms of urinary retention. If suffering from urethral stones, it is necessary to go to the hospital's urology department for ultrasound and CT scans of the urinary system to understand the specific size and location of the stones in the urethra, and to carry out targeted treatment. If the stones are small, they can be expelled from the body by drinking more water and urinating frequently, relying on the flushing action of the urine. If the stones are large, it is recommended to undergo surgery as soon as possible.

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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.