How is a stone treated?
Disease description:
Recently, I have been feeling very uncomfortable when urinating, and later I often experienced cramping pain in my waist area. Yesterday, I noticed blood in my urine, and after visiting the hospital for an examination, I was diagnosed with kidney stones. How should kidney stones be treated?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
The main treatment methods for kidney stones include the following:
1. **Medication Therapy**: Applicable for stones smaller than 0.6 cm in diameter. This involves taking medications such as stone-expelling granules or litholytic drugs, combined with drinking plenty of water and physical activity to promote the passage of stones.
2. **Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)**: Suitable for stones between 0.6 cm and 2 cm in diameter. This method uses high-energy shock waves to break the stones into smaller fragments, which are then passed naturally in the urine.
3. **Surgical Treatment**:
- **Minimally Invasive Surgery**: Such as ureteroscopic lithotripsy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy, is recommended for larger or complex stones. These procedures offer the advantages of minimal trauma and faster recovery.
- **Open Surgery**: May be performed when necessary, such as in cases of very large stones or stones accompanied by severe complications.
4. **Conservative Management**: For small or asymptomatic stones, a strategy of observation and follow-up may be adopted. This includes dietary modifications and increased fluid intake to prevent stone growth or recurrence.
