The main symptoms of ureteral stones in men

Ureteral stones in men often present with symptoms such as severe lumbar and abdominal cramps, hematuria, and difficulty urinating. They should be diagnosed and treated as early as possible to avoid more serious complications.

1 Severe cramping in the waist and abdomen

The most typical symptom of ureteral stones is sudden, severe colic, usually from the waist to the lower abdomen, the pain is radiating and may spread to the scrotum or inner thigh. This is because the stone blocks the ureter and causes obstruction of urine flow. To relieve pain, patients can choose the following treatments:

Pain relief medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or diclofenac, can quickly relieve pain.

Antispasmodics: For example, flavonoids can relax the smooth muscle of the ureter and relieve pain.

Hot compress: You can use a hot water bottle to apply heat to the abdomen or waist to help relax smooth muscles and promote blood circulation.

2Hematuria

Ureteral stones scraping the urinary tract wall may cause hematuria, which can be divided into microscopic hematuria (normal urine color), hematuria with only microscopic erythrocytes and macroscopic hematuria (red or brown urine). Patients are advised to take the following interventions:

Drink more water: Daily water intake should be controlled at more than 2-3 liters to promote urine dilution and stone excretion.

Regular testing: Go to the hospital for a routine urine test as soon as possible to determine the extent and cause of hematuria.

3. Abnormal urination

Ureteral stones may also cause urination difficulties, such as frequent urination, urgency, or pain during urination, because the stones cause mechanical irritation and obstruction to the urinary tract. Measures that can be taken to address this phenomenon include:

Drug-assisted stone removal: such as stone removal granules or alpha-receptor blockers such as tamsulosin, which help dilate the ureters and promote stone removal.

Alkalinize urine: Adjust the pH of urine by taking medications such as potassium citrate to prevent further enlargement of stones.

4 Prevention and treatment of complications

If the stones are retained for a long time, it may cause hydronephrosis, urinary tract infection and even renal damage. If necessary, the following treatment methods should be taken:

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL): Suitable for stones with a diameter of less than 2 cm. It breaks up the stones in a non-invasive way, facilitating their natural excretion.

Ureteroscopic lithotomy: For larger or impacted stones, a thin endoscope is used to enter the ureter and directly remove the stone.

Laparoscopic surgery: When other methods are ineffective or the stones are accompanied by serious complications, stones can be removed through minimally invasive surgery.

When symptoms similar to ureteral stones appear, it is important to go to the hospital for diagnosis as soon as possible. The incidence rate can be reduced through a scientific diet and good living habits, such as avoiding excessive intake of high-oxalate, high-purine, and high-calcium foods, and exercising moderately. Regular physical examinations are also an important means of early detection and early treatment.