Treatment of ureteral stones in men

Treatments for male ureteral stones include medication, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, and surgery. Different methods are suitable for different stone sizes and locations. Recurrence of stones can be effectively prevented by adjusting diet and lifestyle.

1) Drug treatment

For ureteral stones less than 6 mm in diameter, many patients can use medication to assist in the passage of stones. Commonly used drugs include alpha blockers (such as tamsulosin), which can relax the muscles of the ureteral wall, relieve pain and promote the passage of stones; painkillers (such as ibuprofen) can also be used to relieve the colic caused by stones. Patients should drink plenty of water, consuming about 2000-3000 ml of water per day to increase urine volume and promote the passage of stones.

2) Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

For small and medium-sized stones with a diameter of 6-20 mm, doctors often recommend extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. This non-invasive technique uses high-energy shock waves to break up the stones so that they can be excreted in the urine. This method is safer and has a faster recovery after surgery, but it is not suitable for cases where the stones are too large or severely impacted.

3) Surgical treatment

When the stone is larger than 20 mm in diameter, or when medication and shock wave therapy are ineffective, surgery may be considered. The most common surgical procedures include ureteroscopic lithotripsy (using a surgical endoscope to reach the ureter, break up and remove the stone), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (suitable for larger upper urinary tract stones), and laparoscopic or open surgery (mainly for particularly complex stones or other lesions). Surgery is often accompanied by a short recovery period, and more attention needs to be paid to monitoring urinary tract health after surgery.

4) Lifestyle Adjustment

How to prevent ureteral stones is equally important. Drink plenty of water to dilute urine, control the intake of foods high in oxalate (such as spinach and nuts), consume less strong tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages, eat a low-salt diet and avoid excessive high-protein meals, and increase citric acid intake to help inhibit stone formation.

If ureteral stones cause serious symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, severe pain, or difficulty urinating, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible without delay. Through a clear diagnosis and appropriate treatment, most male ureteral stone patients can recover, and by adjusting their lifestyle, they can reduce the risk of recurrence.