Smash kidney stones

Kidney stones can be shattered into small fragments with the help of mechanical pressure waves, which are then excreted in the urine. The procedure is known as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). The waves propagate through the skin into the body and have an effect on the kidney stone.

The method is painless, but damage to kidney tissue can temporarily cause blood to be excreted in the urine. Many patients complain that the noise level during the examination is very unpleasant. In one out of three treated patients, extremely painful colic (severe cramping, contraction-like pain) occurs after the stone fragments have been broken up, which is caused by the dissolved stone fragments.

This method is preferably used for smaller, single stones. The success rate is about 80%. However, if the location of the stone is unclear, the chances of success are lower. Advantages over other methods are the lack of invasiveness, i.e. no skin incision is necessary and no anaesthesia is required. Therefore, no in-patient stay is necessary and out-patient treatment can be carried out.

Household remedies against kidney stones

The most important recommendation for prevention and treatment of kidney stones is to drink a lot. Heat pads, bottles or compresses in the flank area can be helpful. If the pain allows it, the stone can be removed by climbing stairs or jumping.

There are also various natural ways to increase the flow of urine with the aim of eliminating the kidneys or ureteral stones: Besides kidney and bladder tea from the pharmacy, cranberry juice is recommended. Also effective is a tea made from dried dandelion. For this, two teaspoons of boiling water are poured over the tea and left to steep for five minutes.

In the case of cramping pain (colic), herb can provide relief. To do this, pour cold tap water over one teaspoon this time and let it stand for 30 minutes. Before drinking, this brew is boiled up for three minutes. Occasionally beer is recommended for urinary stones because of its flushing effect. Due to the purines it contains, however, it can rather increase the risk of urinary calculus formation and should therefore rather be avoided.