What should I do for pain caused by a urethral stone?
Nov 08, 2021
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Cao Zhiqiang
Introduction
Urethral calculi (stones) are a common condition. Patients with urethral calculi typically experience pain, primarily due to the presence of the stone within the urethra, which causes persistent irritation and injury to the urethral mucosa, leading to local congestion and edema—and consequently, pain. Common treatment approaches include bed rest, increased fluid intake, digital pressure therapy, pharmacotherapy, and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).
Urethral calculi (stones) are a relatively common condition. Patients typically experience pain due to the presence of stones within the urethra, which cause persistent irritation and damage to the urethral mucosa, leading to local congestion and edema.
1. Bed Rest
Urethral calculi may trigger severe pain; therefore, bed rest is recommended to alleviate discomfort and conserve energy, preventing excessive physical exhaustion.
2. Increased Fluid Intake
Patients should increase their daily fluid intake to over 2,000–3,000 mL. The resulting high urine volume helps flush the urethra, potentially enabling smaller stones to pass spontaneously with urine—thus relieving pain. Additionally, increased hydration dilutes urine, reducing the concentration of stone-forming substances and inhibiting further stone growth.
3. Acupressure Therapy
During acute episodes of urethral calculi, intense pain may occur. Acupressure can be employed as an adjunctive therapy to alleviate symptoms. For instance, gently pressing the patient’s back with the right thumb may help relieve pain via meridian stimulation. This method offers mild analgesic effects without adverse effects or harm to the body and may also facilitate stone expulsion.
4. Pharmacological Treatment
For mild pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as sustained-release ibuprofen capsules or diclofenac sodium tablets, may be prescribed per physician instruction. These agents inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, thereby reducing inflammation and pain. Antispasmodics—including racemic anisodamine tablets and nifedipine tablets—may also be used to relax urethral smooth muscle, relieve spasm, and ease pain.
5. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)
ESWL is commonly used for urethral stones measuring less than 2 cm in diameter. Under X-ray or ultrasound guidance, high-energy shock waves are precisely focused on the stone to fragment it into smaller pieces suitable for spontaneous passage. This minimally invasive procedure enables rapid recovery, although multiple sessions may be required. Potential post-treatment adverse effects include hematuria and localized pain, which generally resolve spontaneously.
Patients should maintain healthy lifestyle habits, avoiding spicy and irritating foods—such as Sichuan pepper, chili peppers, and garlic—to support recovery.
