Renal colic symptoms in women causes treatment. Renal colic - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, diet. General rules and methods of treatment

When renal colic occurs, the symptoms in women can vary depending on the disease they are a consequence of.

The intensity of renal colic can be quite high, so the woman needs emergency medical care.

Physician intervention should be immediate also for the reason that kidney spasms are often accompanied by serious disturbances in urodynamics.

Failure of the urinary process favors the occurrence of dangerous kidney pathologies, among which are hydronephrosis, pyelonephritis, and renal failure.

Renal colic is accompanied by pain that occurs in the abdomen, then radiating to the groin area.

Causes

In most cases, pain occurs due to excessive compression or stretching of the ureter. This happens when a large stone penetrates it.

In addition to kidney stones, blood clots, pus or mucus can act as an obstacle.

Blood clots occur when the stone that has moved has sharp protrusions. Moving along the urinary tract, it damages the mucous membrane of the ureter and kidneys, causing bleeding.

Clots of pus and mucus are a consequence of inflammatory processes. More often, this situation is provoked by the acute stage of pyelonephritis.

Painful symptoms of renal colic in a woman occur against the background of increased pressure of fluid concentrated in the renal pelvis. Due to the fact that the outflow of urine is seriously impaired, the renal parenchyma swells and the renal capsule is overstretched.

This unusual condition provokes an attack of colic, which brings excessive suffering to the patient.

The outflow of urine, and with it the occurrence of colic, provokes a kink of the ureter, characteristic of pathological activity of the kidneys against the background of nephroptosis and their abnormal descent.

Compression of the ureter causes injury to the organ, hematomas, as well as pathologies such as renal vein thrombosis and renal infarction.

A malignant tumor, accompanied by rapid growth, can narrow the urinary lumens to an extreme minimum.

External factors, which include the patient’s lifestyle, place of work, and genetic predisposition, can influence the frequent occurrence of colic attacks.

In particular, working in hot shops, living in places with a hot climate provokes dehydration of the body, an increase in the concentration of salt deposits, and the rapid occurrence of urolithiasis.

The kidney needs a sufficient amount of water daily. If the patient does not comply with the drinking regime, the risk of developing urolithiasis increases several times.

The kidneys negatively perceive hypothermia, reacting to this with inflammatory and infectious processes. For this reason, doctors recommend giving preference to clothing that prevents organs from hypothermia.

Clinical manifestations

Symptoms of renal colic in women are the most striking and intense among other symptoms of kidney pathologies. Colic occurs suddenly, the patient cannot predict the moment of its manifestation.

However, some external factors can still affect the appearance of colic, which include traveling on a bumpy road, performing heavy work associated with lifting weights, and applying a strong blow to the lumbar region.

Spasms during colic are accompanied by high intensity, but what worsens the patient’s situation is that their duration can be either short-term or up to several hours.

It is not difficult to distinguish colic from other symptoms, since they are of a constant cramping nature. They can radiate not only to the groin area, but also to the perineum, rectum, and thigh.

The patient’s general condition is rapidly deteriorating, along with this, additional symptoms arise that cause serious concern about the woman’s health.

Against the background of general deterioration, women begin to experience attacks of nausea and vomiting. Severe bloating may occur.

False urges to defecate and urinate appear. When the bladder is emptied, a small amount of urine is released.

Women also experience a symptom characteristic of many kidney problems in the form of increased blood pressure, which is difficult to lower with medications.

Hematuria

If the problem arose due to urolithiasis, symptoms of hematuria (blood in the urine) are observed, indicating that the stone is moving through the urinary tract, damaging its mucous membranes.

When the situation worsens, a symptom appears - a harbinger of a dangerous situation in the form of a short-term loss of consciousness. The patient may not lose consciousness, but be in a semi-fainting state.

In these cases, additional symptoms occur in the form of pale skin, the appearance of perspiration, followed by a rapid drop in blood pressure.

Quite often, as soon as the symptoms of renal colic disappear, the patient experiences relief, followed by the urge to urinate. The volume of fluid released will be quite large.

The patient may detect a sign of hematuria or stone passage in the excreted urine.

Diagnostics

Due to the fact that symptoms of renal colic in women may indicate various diseases, doctors immediately refer the patient for differential diagnosis.

Symptoms of renal colic may be similar to those of appendicitis, as well as hepatic colic. Vascular pathologies, intestinal obstruction in women, as well as certain gynecological problems can also be misleading.

Analysis of urine

Radiculitis, intervertebral hernias, and intercostal neuralgia in women have similar symptoms.

At the same time, the doctor clarifies the woman’s symptoms that she has noticed and certainly listens to her complaints.

At this point, the laboratory conducts a general urine test, the results of which can be used to determine what pathology caused the failure.

Doctors do not limit themselves only to laboratory tests of urinary fluid, since an incorrect diagnosis creates the basis for prescribing incorrect treatment, which can cause death.

It depends on the diagnosis what treatment the doctor will carry out. If the diagnosis is incorrect, only the external symptoms will be muted, but the cause will remain, continuing to worsen.

Based on the patient’s condition, doctors refer her for an X-ray of the abdominal cavity. Also, urography with the introduction of a contrast agent will help demonstrate the level of performance of the ureter and kidneys.

An ultrasound examination is carried out, accompanied by high information content. During an ultrasound, doctors are able to visually observe the shape of the kidneys, their size, and the presence of stones.

A type of endoscopic examination, such as chromocystoscopy, is also indicated, which allows one to determine the nature and speed of the urinary process.

To be able to reliably determine the causes of renal colic, doctors can direct a woman to undergo a computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scan.

Treatment

If symptoms of renal colic are detected, doctors should refer the woman for diagnosis, and after receiving the results, develop an effective treatment plan.

The primary measures should be actions aimed at eliminating pain symptoms.

For this purpose, doctors use antispasmodic drugs, analgesics, and herbal-based medications that act as alternative medications.

To eliminate the symptoms of intense renal colic, a woman is recommended to take a warm bath or apply a warm heating pad to the area to relieve pain symptoms.

If an attack of renal colic continues for a long period, doctors decide to carry out a novocaine blockade.

Acupuncture is also indicated in these cases. A procedure such as electropuncture is also accompanied by high results.

Therapeutic measures are aimed not only at eliminating pain symptoms, but also at eliminating the identified causes that provoked pathological changes in the body.

In particular, for inflammatory processes, antibiotics and antiseptics can be prescribed.

If the culprits of the symptoms of intense pain are stones, doctors prescribe drugs that resolve such uroliths.

If the stones are large in size, or if the woman’s condition deteriorates significantly, doctors resort to surgical intervention, during which the stones are crushed.

Modern medicine has equipment that uses gentle methods to crush stones using a laser, shock wave, or ultrasound.

Of course, in order for the treatment process to be accompanied by high efficiency, doctors guide the woman to adjust her diet and lifestyle.

It is very important during the treatment process to follow a strict diet, excluding certain foods indicated by the doctor.

Also, doctors always focus on maintaining a drinking regime. If there are no contraindications regarding pathological swelling, a woman is recommended to take up to three liters of fluid.

Complications and prevention

Renal colic provokes the appearance of dangerous pathologies that arise as a result of disturbances in the outflow of urine.

In particular, from the accumulation of large amounts of urine, the kidneys increase in size, and along with them, the pelvis also increases in size, provoking hydronephrosis.

Against the background of renal colic, pathologies such as pyelonephritis and pyonephrosis can also occur.

Unfortunately, inaction and failure to carry out medical measures are fraught with loss of the functionality of the organ, and subsequently can lead to its complete loss.

In order to never experience symptoms of renal colic throughout her life, a woman must take care not only of maintaining the correct drinking regimen, but also of the quality of the water.

Drinking tap water is not allowed, since it may contain large amounts of salts and minerals, which are the main causes of urolithiasis.

It is useful to fortify the body, saturating it with vitamins in strictly defined dosages. In particular, an excess of vitamin C can, on the contrary, negatively affect a woman’s health, contributing to the formation of stones.

Vitamin A deficiency favors the death of the epithelium, which precipitates and provokes the formation of stones.

It is also useful to take vitamin D within normal limits, which neutralizes oxalic acid, thereby preventing urolithiasis.

Unfortunately, its excess favors an increase in urine concentration and, accordingly, the formation of stones.

Due to the fact that the kidneys are afraid of hypothermia, urologists guide women to maintain the correct temperature.

So, renal colic has serious consequences, so it must be prevented rather than subsequently undergoing therapeutic measures. Of course, preventive measures are not always accompanied by effectiveness, but nevertheless, their implementation significantly reduces the risk of dangerous complications.

has a number of manifestation features in women. This is due to the structure of the genitourinary system. The pain is localized in the lumbar region or hypochondrium and is of an acute cramping nature. It radiates along the ureter to the iliac, inguinal region, directly to the vagina, labia.

The pain is provoked by physical activity (running, fast walking), bumpy driving and drinking plenty of fluids. The duration of the attack varies from minutes to hours. Vomiting is possible, but does not bring relief.

Renal colic in women - symptoms and treatment

The symptoms of renal colic are characterized by a multiplicity of signs. The onset of an attack is accompanied by motor restlessness and continuous changes in body position. Light tapping on the lumbar region causes pain. Dysuria is noted - a decrease or complete absence of urine output.

Increased body temperature - from low-grade fever to fever with chills.
Therapy requires relief of a painful attack. For this purpose, painkillers are used.

• Baralgin M or revalgin: 5 ml IV bolus at a rate of 1 ml per 1 minute.
• Lornoxicam (xefocam): 8 mg (powder diluted in 2 injections of water), administered intravenously or intramuscularly.
• Ketorolac (ketorol): 1 ml (30 mg) IV or IM.
  One of the indicated drugs is selected. Relieving the pain attack allows further diagnostic procedures to be carried out.

How does renal colic manifest in women?

There are specific symptoms of kidney tissue damage:

• Color change in urine (darkening, cloudiness), the appearance of a pungent odor;
• Dysuric manifestations (pain when urinating) can be acute or nagging in nature, covering the pubic and groin areas; a burning sensation occurs when sand comes out due to trauma to the ureteral tissue;
• Pollakiuria – frequent urination, possible erythrocyturia.

The systemic nature of lesions is expressed by the following signs:

• Dyspeptic manifestations;
• Formation of edematous syndrome and increased temperature;
• Symptomatic arterial hypertension;
• Weakness, decreased ability to exercise, increased sweating;
• Increased gas formation;
• Sleep phase disturbance.

Nutrition for renal colic in women

Nutrition has a number of features. Compliance with special nutritional principles is especially important when sand is found in the kidneys. This allows you to effectively treat the disease.
In particular, a number of important conditions must be observed:

• Try to drink mostly clean water;
• Reduce table salt consumption: do not add salt to food, avoid canned foods;
• Protein intake should be kept to a minimum;
• Increase in retinol-containing products: carrots, cod liver, most fish products;
• Take vitamin complexes containing vitamin B6;
• Reduce consumption of foods rich in vitamin C.

How to treat renal colic in women?

The most effective drugs for relieving pain symptoms are Asparkam, Urolesan and Fitolysin. They have a pronounced effect of lysing stones and allow high-quality treatment of the disease. Their use requires medical prescription and supervision.

A number of herbal preparations are available. These include urolesan - a combined preparation based on natural ingredients (fir, mint and castor oils, oregano extract, hops and carrots). Canephron N is used as a stabilizing agent after direct stone removal. Cyston is a preparation containing plant extracts, produced in India. Phytolit eliminates the negative consequences of lithotripsy and promotes the full restoration of metabolic processes.

Treatment of renal colic at home

Treatment of renal colic with folk remedies involves the use of herbal preparations that help treat the disease. Herbal medicine helps relieve pain symptoms and stop urate deposition;

• Grind the fresh prickly tartar and squeeze the juice out of it. It is drunk 1 tsp. 3 times a day immediately before meals;
• Pour lingonberry leaves (20 g) with one glass of boiling water and keep on low heat for at least 10-12 minutes. Leave for 12 hours, after adding 1 tablespoon of honey. Take half a glass of infusion 3-4 times a day for 14-18 days.

Consequences after renal colic in women

Depends on the volume of existing stones, as well as their quantity. With small sizes, spontaneous passage of stones is possible; with large formations and obstruction of the urinary tract, lithotripsy or surgical intervention is required. Contrast radiography will help to assess the stage of the pathological process.

After spontaneous or surgical removal of a calculus, adherence to nutritional rules and preventive measures will help prevent further deposition of urate formations in the urinary tract.

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The cause of severe lower back pain can be various conditions: from premenstrual syndrome to spinal pathology. However, the most insidious condition is renal colic.

The pain in this case is excruciating, and untimely provision of medical care can lead to death. The main question for renal colic is: how to relieve pain? However, at home, measures should be taken with extreme caution.

Painkillers and thermal procedures are strictly contraindicated in acute pathology of the abdominal cavity, which often has a similar symptomatic picture to renal colic.

Renal colic - what is it?

Renal colic is an acute condition that occurs due to kidney disease. An attack of severe pain is associated with a violation or complete cessation of the outflow of urine from the renal pelvis.

At the same time, the pressure inside the organ increases, and an overstretched capsule with a fairly extensive network of nerve endings provokes pain. At the same time, ischemia of the renal tissue occurs, and metabolic products are absorbed from the urine into the blood, causing intoxication of the body.

Acute renal colic in women has characteristic features that make it possible to differentiate a painful attack from radiculitis, pinched vertebral hernia, diseases of the female genital area and provide effective drug support to prevent the death of cells in the affected kidney. Often, prolonged renal colic without medical care leads to the death of kidney tissue.

Causes

Renal colic in women occurs when the internal lumen of the ureter is blocked or compressed from the outside. This condition occurs with the following diseases:

• Kidney stone disease - a calculus, wider in diameter than the lumen of the ureter, begins to advance and ultimately blocks the path to the passage of urine from the kidney to the bladder;
• Pyelonephritis - mucus and thick pus block the ureter;
• Nephroptosis - prolapse of the kidney is accompanied by kinking of the ureter;
• Oncology, tuberculosis, kidney infarction - dead tissue disrupts the passage of urine;
• Intrarenal hematomas and thrombosis of the kidney veins - blood clots, excreted in the urine, prevent its passage.

Neither intestinal tumors nor adhesions in the ureter provoke renal colic. These processes develop gradually, so pain and signs of impaired urine outflow intensify over time.

The first signs and symptoms of renal colic

Paroxysmal lower back pain can occur after lifting heavy objects, shaking in a car, riding a bicycle, or getting hit in the lower back.

• Sudden onset, regardless of time of day;
• Severe, cramping pain in the lumbar region, usually on one side;
• Pain radiates to the periumbilical region (with blockage in the upper part of the ureter), perineum (occlusion of the middle, lower third of the ureter), thigh or rectum (calculus has blocked the prevesical part of the ureter);
• Changing body position does not bring even the slightest relief (a characteristic difference between pain syndrome in pathology of the spine and diseases of the female genital area).

You should not expect that pain that arises against the background of a normal state will disappear on its own. Symptoms of renal colic in women develop rapidly and are accompanied by:

• Increased pain when urinating;
• A decrease in the volume of urine with frequent urges, often blood in large clots is found in the urine, which indicates deep damage to the ureteral mucosa;
• Increased blood pressure (conventional antihypertensive drugs are ineffective);
• Nausea/vomiting and bloating;
• False urge to have a bowel movement;
• Fever, headache and dry mouth (indicates the onset of inflammation in the kidney).

Paroxysmal pain lasts 3-18 hours, while during an attack the intensity of the pain syndrome varies somewhat. If the stone is small, it can move towards the bladder on its own. However, this variant of the course of renal colic does not always occur.

Without medication, the patient develops a state of shock. The skin turns pale and becomes covered in cold sweat, the blood pressure and heart rate decrease, and the woman may lose consciousness.

An attack of renal colic ends with the passage of a large amount of urine, in which blood and possibly stones are visible even to the naked eye.

What to do with renal colic? - First aid

Primary measures are aimed at reducing pain by relieving spasm from the ureters.

However, the following measures are permissible only with the absolute exception of ectopic pregnancy, torsion of the pedicle of a cyst formed on the ovary and other acute diseases!

First aid for symptoms of renal colic in women:

1. Relaxation of the ureters due to heat - warm heating pads on the lower back and abdomen, as well as hot sitz baths (37-39ºС).
2. Antispasmodics No-Shpa, Baralgin are best administered intramuscularly (injections are performed by an emergency doctor after examining the patient). Taking painkillers orally will not give a quick effect. Platiphylline and Atropine are administered subcutaneously.
3. To quickly relieve pain, a combination of antispasmodics with NSAIDs (Diclofenac, Ketorolac, Dexalgin) is acceptable.

Treatment of renal colic, drugs and regimens

The first stage of treatment for renal colic in women is to eliminate pain and restore the outflow of urine. As an emergency, the patient undergoes all the necessary tests (instrumental and laboratory) for an accurate diagnosis.

An incessant pain attack already in the hospital is stopped with novocaine blockade or the introduction of narcotic analgesics Promedol, Morphine. Intravenous administration of antispasmodics provides maximum relaxation of the ureters and allows the stone to descend into the bladder and subsequently be excreted in the urine.

Physiotherapy - electropuncture and acupuncture - successfully complement drug treatment. However, in some cases, when signs of kidney inflammation appear, drug therapy is ineffective and shock develops, immediate surgical intervention is required.

The operation is most often performed laparoscopically (through mini-incisions), during which the stone is removed from the ureter. Therapeutic catheterization of the ureter is often sufficient. The choice of surgical tactics is determined by the attending physician, taking into account diagnostic data and the patient’s condition.

Further treatment for women after renal colic includes:

• For kidney stones - a course of drugs that destroy stones (Cystenal, Cyston) or instrumental non-surgical techniques (shock wave, laser or ultrasound lithotripsy).
• For primary pyelonephritis or inflammation resulting from stagnation of urine - renal antibiotics (Monural, Palin) or broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs (Gentamicin, Amoxicillin and others).
• To normalize blood pressure, use diuretics (only after relief of acute colic symptoms) in combination with antihypertensive drugs.
• Diet - nutrition for colic is recommended in compliance with treatment table No. 10, limiting the consumption of carbohydrates and fats, completely excluding salt and irritants (spicy seasonings, carbonated drinks, alcohol, coffee, pickles, chocolate, pickles, spinach and sorrel, citrus fruits).

When treating kidneys, it is imperative to follow a drinking regime with control of blood pressure and daily amount of urine. After treatment, it is recommended to carry out preventive courses. The doctor prescribes a 10-day antibiotic regimen, followed by herbal decoctions: chamomile, kidney tea, lingonberry.

Complications of renal colic, general prognosis

A prolonged attack of renal colic can lead to the development of:

• pyelonephritis and pyonephrosis (purulent melting of kidney tissue);
• acute urinary retention;
• bacteremic shock and urosepsis;
• ureteral rupture.

The outcome of renal colic depends on the size of the stone that blocked the outflow of urine and the timeliness of medical care. However, in any case, after stopping the attack, the woman must undergo comprehensive treatment of the causative pathology to prevent recurrent acute conditions.

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Consultation with a specialist is required!

What is renal colic?

Traditionally in medicine colic called an acute attack of painful cramping pain (hepatic colic, intestinal colic) caused by spasms of smooth muscle muscles.

Renal colic – complex symptoms associated with obstruction (blockage) of the upper urinary tract, and impaired outflow of urine from kidneys into the bladder.

This is a serious pathology that requires emergency medical care and hospitalization, since if the course is unfavorable, severe complications may develop.

Separately, we should highlight such a rare pathology as a wandering (drooping) kidney. In such cases, attacks of renal colic are caused by kinking of the ureter, and have certain characteristics: as a rule, they occur after a bumpy ride, long walking, physical activity, etc. The pain intensifies in an upright position and subsides in a lying position.

What is the mechanism of pain during an attack of renal colic?
(pathogenesis of renal colic)

Cramping pain during an attack of renal colic is caused by reflex spasms of the smooth muscle muscles of the ureter in response to an obstruction to the outflow of urine.

In addition, a significant role in the development of severe pain syndrome is played by impaired urine outflow, leading to an increase in intrapelvic pressure, venous stasis and impaired microcirculation of the kidney. As a result, an increase in the size of the affected organ occurs, accompanied by overstretching of the richly innervated capsule.

The above pathological processes cause extremely severe pain in renal colic.

Symptoms of an attack of renal colic

A typical attack of renal colic begins suddenly, against the background of complete health. As a rule, its development cannot be associated with physical activity, nervous strain, or any other unfavorable factors.

An attack of renal colic can begin at any time of the year and at any time of the day, at home or while traveling, at work or on vacation.

The main and constant symptom of renal colic is excruciating pain of a cramping nature. The pain does not depend on movements, so the patient rushes around the room in the vain hope of finding a position that could at least somehow alleviate his suffering.

The localization and irradiation of pain, as well as some additional symptoms of renal colic, depend on the level of urinary tract obstruction.

When the stone is located in the renal pelvis, the pain is localized in the upper part of the lumbar region (in the corresponding costovertebral angle). In this case, the pain often radiates to the abdomen and rectum, and may be accompanied by painful tenesmus (a painful urge to have a bowel movement).

If the obstruction occurs in the ureter, the pain is localized in the lower back or side on the side of the affected kidney, and radiates along the ureter and down into the inguinal ligament, urethra, and external genitalia.

The pain syndrome is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting that does not bring relief. This kind of symptoms is especially characteristic when the obstruction is located in the upper parts (renal pelvis, upper parts of the ureter).

A very characteristic symptom of renal colic is hematuria (blood in the urine), which can be obvious (visible to the naked eye) and microscopic (determined by laboratory tests of urine).

When the obstruction is located in the lower parts of the ureters, dysuric phenomena (frequent painful urge to urinate) may occur.

It should be noted that the severity of pain and other symptoms of renal colic does not depend on the size of the stone, while an increase in body temperature may indicate the addition of infectious complications. High fever with chills should be especially alarming.

Differential diagnosis

General rules

Most often, renal colic has to be differentiated from the following diseases:

• acute abdominal accidents (acute appendicitis, acute cholecystitis, acute pancreatitis, perforated gastric ulcer, acute intestinal obstruction);
• acute gynecological pathology in women;
• damage to the lower urinary tract (cystitis, in men – prostatitis and urethritis);
• dissecting aortic aneurysm;
• neurological pathology (herniated disc, attack of radiculitis, intercostal neuralgia).

At different levels of obstruction it is necessary to carry out differential diagnosis with different diseases.

Thus, with obstruction in the renal pelvis and upper portion of the ureters, renal colic often occurs with symptoms characteristic of acute surgical diseases of the abdominal cavity (pain in the abdominal area, nausea, vomiting, increased body temperature).

When the obstruction is located in the ureters, especially in their middle part and below, pain often irradiates into the genitals, so differential diagnosis with acute diseases of the pelvic organs is necessary.

If the stones are located in the lowest segment of the ureters, the clinical picture is complemented by signs of dysuria (frequent painful urination, pain in the urethra, imperative urge to urinate), so cystitis should be excluded, and in men also prostatitis and urethritis.

Therefore, during differential diagnosis, one should carefully collect anamnesis, pay attention to the patient’s behavior and conduct additional studies in a timely manner.

Differential diagnosis of right-sided renal colic

Attack of renal colic and acute appendicitis
Right-sided renal colic should first of all be distinguished from an attack of acute appendicitis, since the initial clinical picture is largely similar. In both cases, the attack occurs suddenly, against the background of complete well-being.

In addition, if the stone is located in the right ureter, pain in renal colic can be localized in the right iliac region - the same as in acute appendicitis.

However, in the case of acute appendicitis, the pain is relieved by lying on the affected side, and intensifies when walking, so that patients move with a characteristic bend forward and to the affected side.

It should also be taken into account that the pain syndrome in acute appendicitis is localized, and in the case of renal colic, the pain radiates down to the thigh, to the inguinal ligament and to the area of ​​the external genitalia.

Renal and hepatic (biliary) colic
Pain from hepatic (biliary) colic can radiate to the right lumbar region. In addition, the nature of the pain syndrome is in many ways reminiscent of renal colic (extremely severe pain accompanied by vomiting that does not bring relief). Just as in the case of renal colic, patients with hepatic colic rush around the ward, since the intensity of the pain syndrome does not depend on body position, and the general condition of the patients is relatively satisfactory.

However, an attack of hepatic colic is typically associated with the consumption of fatty or fried foods (as a rule, an attack occurs two to three hours after errors in the diet). In addition, pain with hepatic colic radiates upward - under the right shoulder blade, into the right collarbone, and with renal colic - downwards.

Renal colic and acute intestinal obstruction

Quite often it is necessary to carry out a differential diagnosis of renal colic and acute intestinal obstruction (volvulus). Acute intestinal obstruction, also at the beginning of the development of pathology, is characterized by the unexpected appearance of cramping pain and vomiting that does not bring relief.

In addition, in the first phase of development of acute intestinal obstruction, patients behave in the same way as with renal colic, since the pain is severe, does not depend on body position, and the general condition is still relatively satisfactory.

However, volvulus is characterized by debilitating repeated vomiting, while with renal colic, vomiting is usually single. To establish a diagnosis, listening to the abdomen will help (the initial phase of acute intestinal obstruction is characterized by intense bowel sounds), as well as a urine test, which determines hematuria in the case of renal colic.

Differential diagnosis of atypical renal colic and abdominal disasters (acute pancreatitis, perforation of a gastric ulcer, acute cholecystitis)

It should be noted that renal colic in 25% of cases occurs with atypical irradiation, so that the pain can spread throughout the abdomen, radiating to the hypochondrium, and even to the subclavian areas.

In addition, an acute attack of renal colic is often accompanied by symptoms of local peritonitis on the affected side, such as severe pain in the abdominal wall and the absence of bowel sounds when listening to the abdomen.

Therefore, it can be difficult to make a differential diagnosis with abdominal disasters, such as acute pancreatitis, perforation of a gastric ulcer, acute cholecystitis.

In such cases, pay attention to the patient’s behavior. With an “acute abdomen”, patients, as a rule, due to their serious condition, are in bed, while patients with renal colic rush around the room, since their severe pain syndrome is combined with a relatively satisfactory general condition.

You should also pay attention to the characteristic symptoms of the diseases that caused the clinical picture of an “acute abdomen.”

Thus, the clinical picture of perforation of a stomach ulcer begins with a characteristic dagger pain, which is first localized in the epigastrium, and only then takes on a diffuse character. A specific sign of this pathology is an unusually strong reactive tension of the abdominal muscles (“board belly”).

First of all, the doctor conducts a survey, during which he asks about the characteristics of the pain - when the pain began, how it has changed over time, where it is felt, where it goes, what is the nature of the pain (sharp, dull, aching, constantly present or occurs in episodic attacks), changes the intensity of pain when changing position, whether the pain decreased after taking painkillers. The doctor also asks whether there was nausea and vomiting, what caused them, and whether they brought relief. The doctor must be interested in changes in urination - whether there have been any and what their nature is (for example, blood in the urine, pain when urinating, etc.). After this, the doctor asks whether there have been similar attacks in the past, whether a diagnosis of urolithiasis has been made in the past, whether the person has urinary tract diseases and whether he has had injuries or operations in the lumbar region during his life.

Having completed the interview, the doctor proceeds to a clinical examination, which includes the following actions:

• Measuring body temperature.
• Percussion of the kidneys, which is a light tap with the edge of the palm on the twelfth rib from the back. If pain occurs during such tapping, then this is a sign of renal colic, and is called a positive Pasternatsky symptom.
• Palpation of the kidneys (palpation) through the anterior abdominal wall. If you can palpate the kidneys, they turn out to be enlarged or slightly drooping.

In some cases, palpation of the abdomen is additionally performed, gynecological examination (make an appointment) for women and digital examination of the rectum to exclude other diseases that may manifest similar symptoms.

After a survey and clinical examination, the doctor sees a complete clinical picture, on the basis of which, in fact, a diagnosis of renal colic is made. And then, to confirm the doctor’s clinical diagnosis, laboratory and instrumental examinations are prescribed.

What examinations and tests can a doctor prescribe for renal colic?

In case of renal colic, a general urine test is mandatory. If red blood cells are found in large quantities in the urine or blood is visible to the naked eye, then this is a sign of renal colic.

In addition, for renal colic, an ultrasound of the kidneys and urinary tract is prescribed and performed, which allows you to see and measure stones in the renal pelvis and ureters, which becomes an undoubted confirmation of the clinical diagnosis. In addition, ultrasound can detect purulent foci in the kidneys, if any. Ultrasound is not a mandatory method of examination for renal colic, and therefore may or may not be prescribed depending on the level of technical equipment of the medical institution. That is, ultrasound is more of an auxiliary method for diagnosing renal colic.

In case of renal colic, along with a general urine test, a survey X-ray of the abdomen and excretory urography are prescribed. Survey X-ray of the abdomen (make an appointment) allows you to detect oxalate and calcium stones (X-ray positive) in the kidneys and ureters, as well as assess the condition of the intestines. Although plain radiography is not a highly informative method, since it allows identifying only two types of stones, in case of renal colic, this is primarily done from instrumental examinations, since in most cases kidney stones are X-ray positive. And if stones can be identified by plain radiography of the abdomen, other instrumental examinations may not be prescribed.

After a general urinalysis and plain radiography, excretory urography is prescribed, which is an X-ray of the kidneys and urinary tract after the injection of a contrast agent into them. Urography allows you to evaluate blood flow in the kidneys, urine formation, and also identify where the stone is located (in which part of the ureter) that provoked renal colic.

The computed tomography method is highly informative in the diagnosis of renal colic, and can replace excretory urography. Therefore, if technically possible, computed tomography is prescribed instead of urography. But, unfortunately, in many cases, tomography is rarely prescribed due to the high cost of the method, lack of necessary equipment and specialists in medical institutions.

Forecast

Stones up to 5 mm in size pass away on their own in 98% of cases, so the need for surgical intervention is quite rare.

After the attack of renal colic has stopped, dull pain in the lumbar region persists for some time, but the patient’s general condition improves significantly.

The further prognosis depends on the cause of renal colic. In the case of urolithiasis, long-term, virtually life-long treatment is required.

Complications

The likelihood of developing complications depends on the degree of obstruction of the lumen of the urinary tract, the cause of the development of renal colic, the general condition of the body, the timeliness and adequacy of primary pre-medical and medical care.

The most common complications include:

• acute obstructive pyelonephritis;
• urosepsis and bacteremic shock;
• decreased function of the affected kidney;
• formation of ureteral stricture.

Which doctor should I contact for renal colic?

If renal colic develops, there are two ways to proceed. Firstly, you can use your own transport to get to any hospital where there is a department of urology, nephrology or surgery, and contact, accordingly, urologist (make an appointment), nephrologist (make an appointment) or surgeon (make an appointment). It is optimal to contact a urologist or nephrologist, since these are the specialists who diagnose and treat diseases of the urinary system. However, if there is no urologist or nephrologist, then you can contact a surgeon who also has the necessary qualifications to diagnose and treat renal colic.

Secondly, you can call an ambulance, and the arriving medical team will take the person to the hospital on duty in the city, where patients with a similar diagnosis are accepted and where there are appropriate specialists.

Treatment of renal colic

First aid

First medical aid for renal colic is carried out in cases where the diagnosis is beyond doubt, that is, with repeated typical attacks in patients with an established diagnosis of urolithiasis.

A warm bath or heating pad on the lumbar region helps relieve spasm of the ureter and the passage of stones. You can use antispasmodics from your home medicine cabinet. Most often, Baralgin is recommended (a medicine containing antispasmodics and an analgesic). Instead, you can take No-shpa or papaverine (antispasmodics).

In the absence of these medications, you can use nitroglycerin (half a tablet under the tongue), which also relaxes smooth muscle muscles and can relieve spasm of the ureter.

Before the doctor arrives, the patient is advised to write down the medications taken and monitor the urine for the passage of stones (it is best to collect urine in a vessel).

It should be noted that the presence of urolithiasis does not exclude the possibility of developing another acute pathology (for example, appendicitis). Therefore, if the attack proceeds atypically, it is better not to do anything until the doctor arrives. Heat and antispasmodics can aggravate infectious and inflammatory processes in the case of acute appendicitis or another disease from the group of pathologies with an “acute abdomen” clinical picture.

Emergency medical care

Drugs that help relieve pain in renal colic
After making a preliminary diagnosis of renal colic, first of all, it is necessary to relieve the pain syndrome. To do this, the patient is administered antispasmodics or analgesics.

Drugs of choice:
1. Metamizole sodium (Baralgin M). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, analgesic. Used for pain of moderate intensity. Adults and adolescents over 15 years of age are administered intravenously, slowly (at a rate of 1 ml/min). Before administration, the ampoule should be warmed in your hand. After administration, urine may turn pink (no clinical significance). It is not compatible with alcohol, so chronic alcoholism is a relative contraindication to the administration of the drug. It is also better not to prescribe Baralgin M to patients with chronic kidney diseases (pyelo- and glomerulonephritis), and renal failure is an absolute contraindication. In addition, the drug is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to pyrazolones (Analgin).
2. Ketorolac. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, analgesic. Used for severe pain. The drug is administered in a dose of 1 ml intravenously, slowly (1 ml/15 seconds). Age under 16 years is a contraindication to prescribing the drug. In addition, the drug is contraindicated in bronchial asthma, severe renal failure and peptic ulcer disease in the acute stage.
3. Drotaverine (No-shpa). Antispasmodic. Inject intravenously, slowly 2-4 ml of standard solution (2%). Contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the drug and severe renal failure. Use with caution if you have a tendency to hypotension, open-angle glaucoma, severe atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, or prostatic hyperplasia.

Indications for hospitalization for renal colic syndrome
Patients with renal colic syndrome are subject to emergency hospitalization in the following cases:

• bilateral renal colic;
• renal colic with a single kidney;
• elderly age;
• lack of positive dynamics after administration of drugs (intractable renal colic);
• the presence of clinical signs of complications (high fever with chills, anuria (lack of urine output), severe general condition of the patient);
• lack of conditions for outpatient monitoring and treatment.

Transportation of patients with renal colic is carried out on a stretcher, in a lying position.

In cases where the diagnosis of renal colic is in doubt, patients are hospitalized in the emergency department of a multidisciplinary hospital.

Recommendations for relieving renal colic for patients left at home
Renal colic can be treated on an outpatient basis when there are conditions for examination and treatment, and the diagnosis is not in doubt. So, if there is a positive effect from the administration of analgesics in young and middle-aged patients, they can be given recommendations for relieving kidney disease at home.

For renal colic, bed or semi-bed rest and a strict diet are prescribed (table N10, for diagnosed urate urolithiasis - table N6).

For further relief of pain, thermal procedures are recommended. As a rule, a heating pad on the lumbar area or a hot bath have a good effect.

You should empty your bladder in a timely manner, using a special vessel for subsequent monitoring of the passage of stones.

Patients should know that they should call an ambulance in the following cases:

• repeated attack of renal colic;
• the appearance of fever;
• nausea, vomiting;
• decreased amount of urine output;
• deterioration of general condition.

All patients left for outpatient treatment are recommended to visit a urologist at the clinic and undergo additional examination. Often, further treatment is prescribed in a hospital.

Diet

In cases where the cause of renal colic is not fully understood, the standard treatment table N10 is prescribed. This diet is designed to improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system, liver and kidneys, as well as normalize metabolism.

Treatment table N10 implies a slight reduction in the energy value of the diet by reducing the consumption of fats and carbohydrates. The amount of sodium chloride is significantly limited (food is prepared without salt). Avoid heavy, difficult-to-digest foods (meat and fish are served boiled), as well as foods that irritate the liver and kidneys, promote flatulence, and excite the nervous system, such as:

• fresh bread, butter and puff pastry products, pancakes, pancakes, cakes;
• legume soups, meat, fish, mushroom broths;
• sauces based on meat, fish, and mushroom broth;
• fatty meats, goose, duck, liver, kidneys, brains;
• smoked meats, sausages, canned meats;
• fatty, salted, smoked fish, caviar, canned fish;
• meat and cooking fats;
• salty and fatty cheeses;
• hard-boiled and fried eggs;
• salted, pickled, pickled vegetables;
• legumes, spinach, sorrel, radish, radishes, mushrooms;
• spicy, fatty and salty snacks;
• garlic, onions, mustard, pepper, horseradish;
• chocolate, natural coffee, cocoa;
• fruits with coarse fiber.

After relieving an attack of renal colic, it is necessary to undergo an examination, after which the diet should be adjusted in accordance with the diagnosis.

If the cause of renal colic is established, then during the attack, therapeutic nutrition is prescribed taking into account the underlying disease. Of course, concomitant pathologies (obesity, diabetes, hypertension, etc.) are also taken into account.

Therapeutic nutrition as a prevention of attacks of renal colic in urolithiasis (KD)

It has been statistically established that the risk of recurrent attacks with an established diagnosis of urolithiasis is about 80%.

Even surgical removal of stones cannot guarantee recovery, since the cause of the disease - the tendency to form stones in the upper urinary tract due to impaired metabolism - is not eliminated.

Therefore, the best prevention of new attacks is to find out the cause of stone formation and treatment. It should be remembered that inflammatory processes contribute to the formation of stones, so diseases such as pyelonephritis must be treated in a timely manner.

In addition, the water regime has a significant impact on the formation of stones, so the amount of liquid you drink, in the absence of contraindications, should be increased to 3-3.5 liters or more.

The risk of stone formation is significantly reduced by consuming so-called dietary fiber (DF) - substances of plant origin that are not exposed to digestive juices and are not absorbed.

The amount of PV required for the body can be compensated by daily consumption of wholemeal bread 100 g, beets - 30 g, carrots - 70 g, potatoes - 200 g, apples or pears - 100 g.

For urolithiasis, a properly selected diet is one of the best means of preventing renal colic. However, the composition of the stones must be confirmed in a laboratory, since poor nutrition can cause significant damage.

Diet for the prevention of renal colic caused by ICD with a tendency to form urates
If urolithiasis occurs with the formation of stones from uric acid (urates), then a diet that has an alkalizing effect on the urine is necessary.

Thus, if there are no additional indications, the N6 table, designed for patients suffering from gout, is well suited.

Diet for the prevention of renal colic caused by urolithiasis with a tendency to form oxalates
When oxalate stones form, they try to limit foods containing oxalic acid and increase the consumption of foods containing the calcium antagonist - magnesium. Products rich in magnesium include wheat and rye bran, wholemeal bread, oatmeal, buckwheat and pearl barley, millet, and dried fruits.

Based on the mechanism of development of the pathology, carbohydrates, salt, ascorbic acid, and gelatin are limited.

Thus, the following are prohibited:

• liver, kidneys, tongue, brains, salted fish, jellies and jellies on gelatin;
• meat, mushroom and fish broths and sauces;
• salty snacks, smoked meats, canned food, caviar;
• legumes;
• sorrel, spinach, rhubarb, mushrooms;
• pepper, mustard, horseradish;
• chocolate, cocoa, strong coffee.

In addition, beets, carrots, onions, tomatoes, black currants, blueberries, sweets, jam, confectionery, and figs are limited.

With a combination of increased amounts of oxalates and calcium in the urine, as well as with a high alkaline reaction of urine and exacerbation of pyelonephritis, limit foods containing calcium (primarily milk and its derivatives).

Diet for the prevention of renal colic caused by urolithiasis with a tendency to phosphaturia
If the study showed the phosphorus-calcium nature of the stones, a tendency to phosphaturia and an alkaline reaction of urine, then it is necessary to increase the acidity of the urine by increasing the proportion of “sour” meat products.

In addition, it is necessary to limit foods that contain large amounts of phosphorus and calcium and have an alkalizing effect.

Acute, piercing pain in the lumbar area can dramatically change the usual rhythm of a man’s life. This is how renal colic most often manifests itself. It is important to understand what this condition is and why it occurs, because a man faced with this painful condition needs help.

Characteristics of renal colic

Renal colic is an acute attack of pain caused by pathologies in the urinary system.. Discomfort occurs in the lumbar region on one side, and in rare cases, on both. The pain is dictated by spasm of the smooth muscles of the urinary organs.

Colic is the body's response to a disturbance in the outflow of urine from the kidney or a change in blood circulation. Most often, such phenomena are observed in urolithiasis, in which stones that pass from the kidneys damage the walls of the ureter and block (completely or partially) the urinary canal.

Renal colic most often occurs as a result of stone movement from the kidney into the ureter and bladder.

How does renal colic manifest?

Renal colic has a number of characteristic symptoms:

• sharp, unbearable pain in the lower back (it can be cramping or constant);
• increased anxiety;
• discomfort radiates to the side, stomach, genitals, leg;
• hematuria (blood in the urine);
• nausea, vomiting;
• temperature increase;
• increased frequency of urination (if a stone has blocked the ureter, then there is very little urine);
• bloating;
• diarrhea or constipation.

During severe attacks, a man may experience painful shock. This condition is accompanied by a weakening of the pulse, profuse sweating, increased blood pressure, and pale skin.

The attack can last from 3 to 18 hours, sometimes with short breaks.

Renal colic - video

Causes and development factors

Renal colic is classified as a nonspecific symptom, since it can be triggered by various causes. Among them:

• Urolithiasis disease. Stones formed in the kidneys can pass through the urine into the ureter. The movement of a stone along a narrow channel causes an unbearable attack of pain. Some stones have sharp “spikes” and can injure the ureter (which is why blood appears in the urine). And sometimes the stone gets stuck in the canal. This leads to a deterioration in the outflow of urine and expansion of the renal capsule.
• Jades. The appearance of renal colic can be caused by various inflammatory processes occurring in the kidneys (for example,). Such ailments provoke irritation of the bean-shaped organ, as a result of which the latter reacts with intense spasms.
• Kidney tumor. A neoplasm in the structure of an organ may not bother the patient for a long time. The growth of the tumor over time leads to tissue compression. This causes irritation of the kidney, which immediately responds with spasms.
• Kidney tuberculosis. An infectious disease affects the kidney tissue. This leads to organ irritation and spasms.
• . This is a pathology in which kidney prolapse is diagnosed. The mobility of the bean-shaped organ can provoke an attack of severe pain.
• Kidney injuries. Any damage or blows to the lumbar region can lead to severe, bursting pain.
• Anomalies of the urinary system. Severe discomfort may be based on congenital or acquired changes in organs. For example, the outflow of urine becomes significantly more difficult when the urethra or ureter narrows.
• Tumor processes in neighboring organs. The growth of tumors in the prostate gland and rectum can compress the ureter.

Provoking factors

The appearance of renal colic can be caused by the following events:

eating hot, spicy food the day before;

jumping;

lifting weights;

alcohol abuse;

shaking.

Eating spicy food can trigger an attack of renal colic.

But sometimes painful discomfort occurs without any previous factors. Some patients note that renal colic appeared at rest, interrupting night sleep.

One summer, when I escaped from all the worries of the city to the dacha, at three o’clock in the morning I was woken up by the persistent ringing of my mobile phone. My neighbor, a 50-year-old man, asked me to come see him immediately. It was clear from his voice that the man was feeling bad. But the state in which I found him simply shocked me. The dream instantly disappeared. The neighbor was pale and vomited periodically. He painfully grabbed his lower back, then his stomach. The sufferer could not even properly explain what was bothering him. I immediately called an ambulance. Meanwhile, the man groaned again from a painful attack. “I need to relieve the spasms,” I thought. There was No-Shpa in my first aid kit. Of course, the pills did not completely relieve the pain, but the neighbor said that it became a little easier.

Diagnosis of pathology

Determining renal colic is not easy, since the pathology is manifested by symptoms that are characteristic of a number of diseases.

Similar symptoms are observed with:

• acute appendicitis;
• volvulus;
• stomach ulcer;
• biliary colic.

Initially, the doctor will examine the patient, palpate the abdomen, and check Pasternatsky’s sign

To give the patient a correct diagnosis, the doctor will initially ask about diet, lifestyle, and existing diseases. Then the doctor will examine the patient, conducting the following tests:

• Palpation of the abdomen. When palpating the anterior abdominal wall with true renal colic, increased pain is noted in the area of ​​the “problem” ureter.
• Pasternatsky's symptom. Light tapping on the lower back in the area of ​​the kidneys causes increased pain.

• Analysis of urine. It may contain erythrocytes (red blood cells) and various impurities (sand, pus, blood, fragments of stones, salts).
• Blood analysis. If inflammation is present, the analysis will show an increase in leukocytes. In addition, elevated levels of urea and creatinine may indicate kidney pathology.
• Ultrasonography. An ultrasound procedure can detect stones in the kidneys or ureters. This examination gives an idea of ​​structural changes (thinning of tissue, expansion of the urinary organs).
• X-ray. The event identifies stones and indicates their location. Such a study does not show all types of stones (urate and xanthine stones are not visible on x-rays).
• Excretory urography. This is another X-ray examination. It is carried out after the injection of a contrast agent into a vein. After a while they take pictures. If the ureter is blocked, the contrast agent will not be able to pass further.
• Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (CT or MRI). The most informative and accurate diagnostic methods. They allow you to examine the kidneys, ureters, and bladder layer by layer and identify the true causes of colic.

Ultrasound of the kidneys allows you to identify stones and determine their location

Treatment methods

If symptoms resembling renal colic appear, you must immediately call an ambulance. The dispatcher must be informed about all the signs observed in the patient.

First aid

To alleviate the condition of a patient experiencing renal colic, you can resort to the following measures:

1. Taking an antispasmodic. To slightly reduce discomfort, it is necessary to relieve renal spasm. For this, the patient is given No-Shpu, Drotaverine, Spazmalgon. If possible, it is better to give an intramuscular injection of an antispasmodic.
2. Thermal procedures. If we are talking about real renal colic, then heat will bring significant relief. To do this, you can apply a heating pad to your lower back or take a bath.
3. Preparing the container. It is better to empty the bladder into a specially prepared container so as not to miss the release of the stone. It is not the liquid that is valuable, but the stone that comes out. Subsequently, it is submitted for testing of its chemical composition. This will allow you to determine exactly what disorders are occurring in the body and select the optimal treatment methods.

To reduce the pain of renal colic, you can take a hot bath

You can practice thermal procedures only if you are 100% sure of renal colic. If there is even the slightest doubt about the diagnosis, it is better not to resort to this method. Using heat for appendicitis or peritonitis can lead to serious consequences.

First aid for renal colic - video

Drug therapy

To relieve acute symptoms and restore urodynamics, a patient in a hospital setting may be prescribed the following medications:

• Antispasmodics and analgesics. Such drugs can reduce pain and stop spasms. The following remedies are most often recommended:
  • Baralgin;
  • Platifilin;
  • No-Shpu;
  • Papaverine;
  • Atropine;
  • Promedol.
• Novocaine blockade. If the attack is protracted and cannot be controlled with antispasmodics, then the doctor may resort to a blockade. In this case, the man's spermatic cord is cut off.
• Antimicrobial agents. To stop inflammatory processes, uroseptics or antibiotics may be recommended. Therapy includes the following medications:
  • Nitroxoline;
• Fosfomycin.

Angioprotectors. These medications are prescribed to restore blood microcirculation. The most commonly recommended drugs are:

• Trental;

NSAIDs. Sometimes, for severe pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed. They have analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. Treatment may include the following:

• Diclofenac;
• Lornoxicam;

Diuretics. They are prescribed only if the stone that comes out does not exceed 4 mm in diameter. In this case, the calculus is quite capable of coming out on its own, without any surgical intervention. To facilitate the exit process, diuretics are prescribed:

Lasix.

Additional medications. For renal colic (if the stone does not exceed 4 mm), medications may be prescribed to help remove stones. The following drugs have these properties:

• Glucagon;
• Nifedepine;
• Progesterone.

Further treatment tactics depend on the patient’s condition and the stage of the pathology. If the attack was stopped, the doctor will prescribe medications that dissolve the remaining stones and prevent their re-formation.

To quickly relieve painful discomfort, doctors may prescribe medications intramuscularly or intravenously.

Such medications include:

• Asparkam - affects oxalates;
• Marelin - helps with phosphate stones;
• Blemaren - effective against urates and oxalates;
• Uralite - affects cystine stones;
• Allopurinol - helps fight urates.
• Cyston - affects mixed types of stones (which can be dissolved).

These medications must be taken for several months to ensure the necessary dissolution of the stones.

Doctors took the neighbor to the hospital. I couldn’t leave him alone, so I went with him. After all the studies, the doctors concluded - renal colic. The man spent the rest of the night under a drip. Little by little his condition recovered. In the morning, the neighbor was operated on because the stone could not come out on its own. And after 2 days we were already sitting with him at the dacha, drinking aromatic tea and laughing heartily, remembering the events we had experienced.

Medicines - gallery

No-Spa allows you to quickly relieve spasms
Levofloxacin is prescribed to relieve inflammation Pentoxifylline restores blood microcirculation Novocaine is used for novocaine blockades for very severe pain
Furosemide accelerates the outflow of urine, causing the stone to leave the ureter faster Xefocam relieves inflammation and relieves pain Asparkam promotes the breakdown of oxalates Blemaren helps with oxalates and urates Allopurinol dissolves urates

Surgery

Sometimes, with renal colic, it becomes necessary to resort to surgery. The main indications for surgery are the following conditions and pathologies:

• hydronephrosis (or hydrocele of the kidney);
• ineffectiveness of drug therapy;
• complications of urolithiasis (blockage, rupture of the ureter);
• large stones (more than 4 mm in diameter) that cannot pass out on their own.

The surgical tactics depend on the causes of renal colic, the condition and individual characteristics of the patient. The most commonly used methods are:

• External lithotripsy. This operation involves the destruction of kidney stones using ultrasound. In this case, the skin is not damaged. That is why the method is called remote. The device is applied to the body in the required area and the stones are crushed through the skin.
• Contact lithotripsy. In this case, stone crushing occurs during direct contact. A special tube is inserted into the urinary canal and ureter. The device is brought directly to the stone and the stone is split using a laser, compressed air or ultrasound. This technique allows you to act more efficiently and accurately. In addition, during the operation, all destroyed fragments are removed.
• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy. This is surgical removal of the stone. The doctor makes a small puncture of the skin, through which he inserts an instrument into the cavity and carefully removes the stone.
• Endoscopic stone removal. A special tube with an endoscopic system is inserted through the urethra. Such a device is equipped not only with a camera that allows you to visualize stones, but also with special forceps that grasp and remove the stone.
• Ureteral stenting. This operation is used for narrowing of the ureter. Its essence lies in restoring normal lumen in the canal. Using endoscopic equipment, a special cylindrical frame is inserted into the narrow place.
• Open surgery. This is the most traumatic method. Open kidney surgeries are performed only in extreme cases (purulent-necrotic processes, significant damage to the organ, the presence of massive stones that cannot be crushed).

The duration of rehabilitation depends on the volume of surgical interventions. On average, recovery takes 2–3 days. If open surgery was performed, rehabilitation may take 5–7 days.

Types of stone removal operations - video

Diet

A man experiencing renal colic is advised to continue following a dietary diet. P The diet is prescribed by the doctor depending on the type of stones.

Basic principles of the diet:

• Frequent appointments. It is recommended to eat food in small portions every 4 hours. It is important not to overeat so as not to overload the body.
• Junk food. Smoked, fried, fatty foods should be excluded from the diet. It is recommended to avoid sweets and flour products.
• Water mode. It is important not to forget about drinking clean drinking water. Doctors recommend drinking 2.5–3 liters of fluid per day.
• Nutrition for oxalates. With such stones, it is necessary to limit the intake of meat, sorrel, sour fruits and berries. Do not overuse citrus fruits, legumes, beets, and tomatoes.
• Diet for urates. The following products are excluded: chocolate, cheese, nuts, legumes. Salty foods are harmful. It is not recommended to drink strong tea or eat sour berries.
• Nutrition with phosphates. In this case, it is necessary to exclude cottage cheese, potatoes, milk, and fish from the diet. Do not overuse sweet berries and fruits.
• Nutrition for cystine stones. It is recommended to limit the intake of beans, chicken, peanuts, eggs, and corn.

Harmful foods - gallery

Sorrel should not be consumed if you have oxalate problems Nuts will be harmful with urates Cottage cheese is not recommended for phosphates
Corn is prohibited for cystine stones

Folk remedies

If it is not possible to get medical help, then you can use the power of folk recipes. To relieve renal colic, you can use the following remedies:

• Herbal bath. Hot water helps relax the smooth muscles of the ureter, making the attack go away faster. To enhance the effectiveness of the therapeutic bath, it is recommended to add 10 g of birch, sage, cucumber, linden, and chamomile leaves to the water.
• Birch decoction. You can take leaves, buds or tree branches as raw materials. Birch blank (8 tbsp) is filled with water (5 tbsp). The mixture is boiled for 20 minutes in a water bath. Strain. The finished decoction should be drunk hot over 1-2 hours.
• Healing infusion. It is necessary to combine juniper fruits, birch leaves, mint and steelhead roots in equal proportions. The resulting mixture (6 tbsp) is poured with boiling water (1 l). Infuse the drink for 30 minutes. Then filter. The resulting infusion should be drunk warm within 1 hour.

Forecast and consequences

The prognosis depends on the reasons that provoked renal colic, the patient’s condition, and the timeliness of contacting doctors. Most often, unpleasant discomfort can be relieved with medication or with the help of low-traumatic surgical interventions. In such situations, the patient quickly returns to his normal lifestyle.

In the future, if the cause is hidden in urolithiasis, the person is recommended to adhere to a diet for life that protects against the formation of stones.

The prognosis of the pathology largely depends on the timeliness of visiting doctors

Possible complications

Incorrect treatment or late contact with doctors can lead to serious consequences. The most commonly observed complications are:

• Pain shock. Against the background of severe pain, pathologies of the cardiovascular, nervous or respiratory systems may develop.
• Urosepsis. Generalization (spread throughout the body) of a urinary infection can be fatal.
• Pyelonephritis. Inflammatory processes can develop in the parenchyma and pelvis of the kidney.
• Bladder pathology. Long-term urinary dysfunction can lead to the inability to completely empty the bladder in the future.
• Hydronephrosis. Urinary retention provokes pathological expansion of the renal pyelocaliceal apparatus.
• Pathology of the urethra. The mucous membrane is replaced by scar tissue. This leads to atrophy of the urethra and narrowing of the urethra.
• Nephrosclerosis. The renal parenchyma is gradually replaced by connective tissue. This significantly impairs the functioning of the kidney. In the future, this phenomenon leads to organ atrophy.
• Pyonephrosis. Purulent-destructive processes occur inside the kidney.

Prevention

Prevention of renal colic includes several simple rules:

• Water mode. A healthy person needs to drink at least 2–2.5 liters of water per day. In the summer heat, the amount of liquid increases to 3 liters.
• Proper nutrition. Eliminate unhealthy foods from your diet: fatty, fried, salty, smoked foods. Avoid products that promote stone formation (soda, coffee, alcohol, sorrel).
• Physical exercise. Try to lead an active lifestyle, play sports, walk in the fresh air. At the same time, remember that physical activity should be feasible.
• Dress appropriately for the weather. Avoid hypothermia or overheating. Such extreme conditions serve as a trigger for the development of kidney diseases.
To eliminate the risk of developing urolithiasis, you need to drink at least 2 liters of water per day

A painful condition called renal colic can occur as a result of various pathologies of the urinary system. But most often, according to statistics, the source of the problem is urolithiasis. It is impossible to predict in advance what renal colic will lead to. Therefore, it is imperative to consult a doctor. In this case, the patient's chances of healing are significantly increased.