Kidney stones can be treated without surgery, using shock waves

Urinary stones can cause severe pain, nausea, blood in the urine, or blockage of urinary flow. The good news is that, in certain cases, they can be treated without any incision, using a method that acts on the body from the outside.

This method is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, a procedure that uses focused mechanical waves to break stones formed in the kidneys or ureters into smaller fragments, which can then be passed naturally through the urine.

However, this method is not suitable for every type of stone. The doctor's decision takes into account several factors: the size and hardness of the stone, its location, the anatomical structure of the patient's urinary tract, and their general state of health. If the stone is large, very hard, or significantly obstructs urinary flow, a different therapeutic approach may be required.

Following the procedure, the patient may pass fragments from the stone and experience some discomfort, bleeding during urination, or short-lived renal colic. During this period, adequate hydration, adherence to the prescribed medication, and careful monitoring are important to ensure the fragments are properly eliminated and to assess the effectiveness of the treatment.

In the long term, analysing the chemical composition of the stone, alongside a metabolic evaluation of the patient, can help prevent the formation of new kidney stones.

Article supported by SANADOR, further details available at www.sanador.ro.