What are the main symptoms of ureteral stones in men?

The main symptoms of male ureteral stones include severe back pain, hematuria, frequent urination, urgency, and nausea and vomiting. Treatments include medication for pain relief, drinking plenty of water to promote stone excretion, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, or surgical stone removal.

1. Severe back pain is the most typical symptom of ureteral stones. When stones get stuck in the ureter, it can cause severe renal colic, which often starts from the waist and radiates to the perineum, with varying durations. The patient may have difficulty standing or sitting or lying down due to the pain. For pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or opioid analgesics such as morphine can be used to relieve it.

2. Hematuria is another common symptom. When stones move in the ureter, they may scratch the mucosa, causing red blood cells visible to the naked eye or under a microscope to appear in the urine. Patients need to seek medical attention in time and be diagnosed through routine urine tests and imaging examinations. Mild hematuria can be relieved by drinking more water, while severe cases require treatment with hemostatic drugs.

3. Frequent urination and urgency are manifestations of stones irritating the ureter or bladder. The patient may feel the urge to urinate frequently, but the amount of urine each time is small, or even urination is difficult. At this time, you should avoid holding urine and keep the urethra open. You can take alpha receptor blockers such as tamsulosin to relieve urination discomfort.

4. Nausea and vomiting are systemic reactions associated with ureteral stones. Severe pain may trigger vagus nerve excitement, leading to gastrointestinal symptoms. Patients need to maintain a light diet, avoid greasy and spicy foods, and use antiemetics such as metoclopramide when necessary.

Treatments for ureteral stones include non-surgical and surgical methods. Non-surgical treatment is suitable for patients with small stones, smooth surfaces, and no obvious obstruction. It mainly promotes stone excretion by drinking more water, increasing exercise, and taking stone-excreting drugs such as tamsulosin hydrochloride. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is a non-invasive treatment suitable for stones with a diameter of less than 2 cm. Surgical treatment is suitable for patients with larger stones, longer impaction time, or severe complications, and includes ureteroscopic lithotripsy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

The key to preventing ureteral stones is to adjust your lifestyle and eating habits. Drink 2-3 liters of water a day, avoid high-salt and high-fat diets, and limit foods with high oxalate content such as spinach and chocolate. Proper exercise helps promote metabolism and reduce stone formation. Regular physical examinations to detect and deal with potential problems in a timely manner are important measures to prevent the recurrence of ureteral stones.