Urinary stones are a condition in which lumps (stones) like stones form in the kidneys, ureters, and bladder, which are the paths through which urine flows in our bodies, blocking the urinary tract or causing inflammation. The causes of stones are diverse, including age, gender, region, climate, diet, and heredity. When a certain substance in the urine becomes supersaturated and the crystals grow larger, they cause problems.
The most common symptom is severe flank pain that occurs when scraping the urinary tract when a piece of stone crystal comes out with the urine. The pain currently is sometimes compared to labor pains during childbirth. If the stone irritates the bladder, symptoms of frequent urination or hematuria may occur. If left untreated for a long time, it can cause pyelonephritis or sepsis, and can even lead to kidney damage and the need for dialysis. Pain due to urinary stones can occur intermittently, so if you have ever felt pain in your side, it is advisable to visit a urology department early.
Professor Choi Jeong-hyeok of the Department of Urology at Kangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital said, “It is difficult to suspect urinary stones based on urination symptoms alone, but if you have pain in your side and hematuria, urinary stones cannot be ruled out.” He added, “Middle-aged men who have problems with urination due to benign prostatic hyperplasia or other causes that make it difficult to urinate are more likely to develop bladder stones than other people.” Caution is required regarding urinary stones, as the number of patients is rapidly increasing during heat waves these days.
According to statistics from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, the number of male patients with urinary stones in 2022 was about twice as high as that of female patients, and middle-aged patients in their 40s to 60s accounted for 66% of the total number of patients. By month, the number of patients was highest in August. This is because when the temperature rises and the body’s water is excessively discharged as sweat, the amount of urine decreases relatively, and currently, calcium and uric acid that form urinary stones are concentrated in the urine.
Eating habits are also closely related to stones. If you eat too much meat, rice, flour, and salty foods, animal protein, carbohydrates, sodium, etc. are excessively accumulated in the urinary tract, increasing the risk of stones. The diagnosis rate for urinary stones is about 70-80% when examined with ultrasound during regular health checkups. However, if they are too small or deep, it may be difficult to find with ultrasound, so a CT scan may be necessary.
Generally, if the stone is small, less than 5mm, and is in the lower ureter, wait for natural discharge. Sufficient water intake and appropriate intensity exercise can help discharge the stone, drug therapy is administered, and progress is observed. The most performed treatment is ‘extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy’ (ESWL). This method crushes the stone using external shock waves and allows the crushed stone to be discharged naturally. Its advantage is that it can be performed without the need for anesthesia or hospitalization. However, depending on the size or hardness of the stone, it may not be a one-time procedure and may require repeated procedures. If the stone is large or difficult to treat with ESWL, a ‘ureteroscopy’ may be performed.
Ureteroscopy is a method in which an endoscope is inserted into the ureter, and the inside of the ureter and kidney is precisely observed with high-definition images, while a laser is used to directly crush and discharge the stone. It is highly effective because it can remove urinary stones with a single operation. In cases where the stones are very large, such as 20mm, a treatment method is used, in which a passage is created in the side and an endoscope is inserted into the kidney to remove the stones or crush them with a laser. It is known that urinary stones have a high recurrence rate. If you have suffered from urinary stones, you should be especially careful. The most basic thing is to drink enough water.
Professor Jeong Jae-yong of the Department of Urology at the National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital said, “Water dilutes the concentration of urine, preventing stones from forming or helping to excrete small stones,” and recommended, “In the summer when heat waves continue for a long time like these days, it is better to drink pure water rather than tea or other beverages.”