What are Ureter Stones?
Ureter stones are small stones that form in the kidney and pass into the ureter. These stones are formed from the crystallization of minerals from stagnated urine.
What causes Ureter stones?
There is a delicate balance maintained in the urine in our body. When this balance of minerals is disturbed, ureter stones are formed. Some of the reasons for the imbalance are:
Lack of enough fluid in the body
Hormonal imbalance
Intake of a diet which is high in oxalate, sodium and protein
Family history
Symptoms / when to call your doctor
When the stone is stationary in the kidney, it does not cause any pain. But, when it moves from the kidney into the ureter, it causes symptoms like:
Extreme pain in the back and sides
Pain while passing urine
Nausea and vomiting
Red or brown urine
Why you should see a doctor?
You should see a doctor if you have unbearable pain which makes you vomit. This is because the pain will not subside till your doctor treats you for the ureter stone.
How is it diagnosed?
The doctor can diagnose ureter stones by a physical examination to understand where the pain is originating from. In addition to the physical exam, the doctor might advise:
Blood and urine tests
Imaging tests like CT scan or X ray
Dietary Restrictions
It's best to avoid food which are rich in minerals which form ureter stones. Some of the diet recommendations are:
High intake of water and fluids
Avoiding salty, high protein and fatty food
Having citrus fruits like lemon, oranges, sweet lime is helpful
Treatment for Ureter Stones:
There are several treatments available for removing ureter stones. The doctor will recommend the treatment based on the size of the stones.
Types of treatments:
| Specifics | Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) | RIRS | PCNL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuts and Wounds | No | No | Yes |
| Pain | Mild pain | Mild pain | Yes |
| Used for treatment of | Small sized stones | Small sized stones | Large/irregular shaped stones |
| Time taken for procedure | 1 hour | 1-3 hours | 20-45 minutes |
| Hospital Stay | Outpatient procedure | Outpatient procedure/1 day | 2-3 days |
| Dietary Restriction | No | No | Yes |
| Recovery Time | 24 hours | 24 hours | 2-3 Weeks |
| Invasive | No | No | Yes |
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)
This procedure is used for treating small kidney or ureter stones.
Flow of the procedure:
Patient is given a sedative or local anaesthesia
High energy sound waves are sent near the location of the stones
This causes the stones to break into small pieces
The stone pieces pass out of the system through urine within a few days after the procedure
Recovery Time and Dietary Advice:
Outpatient procedure with mild pain
Resume to normal routine from next day
Intake of 3 litres of water everyday
Risks involved in the treatment:
There are very less complications through this treatment. Some of the risks may be:
Mild pain when the stones pass through urine
Urinary tract infection
Bleeding in the urinary system
Inability to pass urine
RIRS
This procedure is done to treat smaller sized stones.
Flow of the procedure:
Patient is given general anaesthesia for the procedure
A small telescope called ureteroscope is inserted through the urethra and moved near to the stone
If the stone is small, it is directly removed
If the stone is slightly bigger, it is broken into smaller pieces and the pieces are then, removed
Recovery Time and Dietary Advice:
Outpatient procedure or 1-day discharge with mild pain
Resume normal day routine from the next day
Intake of 3 litres of water everyday
Risks involved in the treatment:
Some of the risks of the procedure may be:
Bleeding
Infection
Injury to ureter
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy
This procedure is used for large stones that are more than 2 cm in size. It's also used when the ureter stones have an irregular shape.
Flow of the procedure:
Patient is given general anaesthesia for the procedure
An incision is made in the back to reach into the kidney
The stone is removed directly from the incision
If the stone is too big to be removed, it is broken into smaller pieces and then, the pieces are removed
Recovery Time and Dietary Advice:
2- 3 days hospital stay
Wound takes 1-3 weeks to heal
Fibre rich food is advised
Risks involved in the treatment:
Some of the risks of the procedure may be:
Infection
Bleeding
Reduced kidney function