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Kidney colic

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 12.07.2025
 
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A sharp attack of pain localized in the lumbar region, the so-called renal colic, caused by embolism of the upper urinary tract, pathological change in hemodynamics in the kidney. Why does this pain syndrome occur and how to quickly and competently relieve it? We will try to find answers to these and other questions in this article.

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Causes renal colic

To combat the disease or effectively relieve a pain attack, first of all, it is necessary to know the causes of renal colic, the catalyst of the problem.

The pain syndrome in question can manifest itself at any age, without making distinctions regarding the patient’s gender, although monitoring of the problem shows that the majority of patients still represent the strong half of humanity.

  • The most common source of pain is urolithiasis. This pathology can be present both directly in one or several sections of the kidney itself, and in other organs belonging to the genitourinary system: the urethra, bladder, ureter. This variety of locations of sand and stones is due to the fact that after their formation in one of the sections of the kidney, they are able to migrate through the excretory tract of the system through urine. In a positive scenario, small stones are able to leave the patient's body on their own, but if the stone is of a significant size, then it is quite possible that it will block the ureters.
  • The cause of urinary tract blockage, and accordingly pain, may be an inflammatory process affecting this system. When it occurs, leukocytes, which make up the epithelium, fibrin (a non-globular protein formed from blood plasma fibrinogen) and mucus, which is formed as a result of this process, may leave the body with urine flows. This situation develops as a reaction of the body to acute or chronic pyelonephritis.
  • Due to the development of tumor neoplasms (both benign and malignant). Blood clots or cell necrosis products can block the ureter.
  • Tuberculosis occurring in the kidneys.
  • Occlusion of the urinary tract can also be caused by gynecological pathologies. For example, myone of the uterus or adnexitis, adhesions.
  • Wandering (drooping) kidney. In this situation, the pain syndrome is caused by a "fracture" of the ureter. An indicator in favor of this cause is the fact that the pain occurs after shaking in a bus, sudden movements, physical exertion, etc. The discomfort prevails in a standing state and subsides when the patient lies down.
  • Other inflammatory diseases affecting organs adjacent to the ureters.

The statistical age of this pathology is maximal manifestation in the period from 30 to 50 years.

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Pathogenesis

The occurrence of renal colic indicates that there is an occlusion of the upper urinary tract, which can be caused by internal blockage of the passage canal or its external compression. The pathogenesis of renal colic is blockage of the passage ability of the ducts, leading to a rapid increase in compression in the calyceal-pelvic system.

Against the background of the inflammatory process, there is an increase in the synthesis of prostaglandins, swelling begins to grow around the stone, causing spasms of the smooth muscle wall of the upper urinary tract, which provokes pain.

Next, intrarenal pressure increases, after which the parenchyma begins to swell and the fibrous capsule of the kidney lengthens, causing tissue structures to expand. This factor further increases the pain.

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Symptoms renal colic

To understand what the pathology discussed in this article is, it is necessary to study the symptoms of renal colic more carefully. As doctors explain, an attack of pain begins suddenly, regardless of the time of year or day, regardless of whether the person was resting or was subjected to high physical or emotional stress the day before.

The main indicator is the sudden appearance of sharp spasmodic pains that arise in the lumbar region and begin to radiate to the groin area. At the same time, the pain manifestations do not depend on the patient's motor activity. The person changes the position of the body to find one that will bring him at least minimal relief, but this does not happen.

Localization of pain largely depends on the location of the occlusion. If the ureter is blocked in the renal pelvis, pain symptoms are felt in the upper lumbar region of the costovertebral angle on the side of the affected kidney. Quite often, pain is also felt in the peritoneum and intestines. With such a manifestation of symptoms, the patient begins to experience difficulties in the process of defecation, which is also painful.

In case of ureteral obstruction, pain symptoms manifest spasmodically in the lumbar region or slightly to the side towards the affected urinary canal. Against the background of this picture of the lesion, pain symptoms can be felt recoiling along the path of the urinary ducts to the groin area, external genitalia and urethra.

Quite often, such attacks are accompanied by nausea, provoking a gag reflex, which does not bring relief after the contents of the stomach are released.

Another symptom of renal colic is the appearance of blood in the urine (hematuria). It can be either obvious (visible to the naked eye) or hidden (determined under a microscope during laboratory tests).

If the blockage of the canal occurs in the lower part of the ureter, the patient may experience the problem of painful urination and pain when urinating.

When an infectious lesion of the body is connected, it is possible to observe an increase in body temperature, high fever with chills. It is possible that there is a disorder in the digestive system caused by irritation of the posterior parietal wall of the peritoneum, which is “adjacent” to the outer shell of the kidney’s fatty capsule.

In case of an attack, the pains during renal colic are cramping in nature, independent of any external factors. The cramps occur reflexively during spasms of the smooth muscles of the ureter walls, which occurs as a response to blockage of the passage canal and obstruction of urine outflow. In this case, a failure in the microcirculation of flows in the kidney occurs, which leads to distension of the affected organ and an increase in intrapelvic pressure, provoking increased stretching of the innervated capsule.

The entire mechanism of development of pathological changes is accompanied by extremely severe pain.

When urine outflow is disrupted, the body becomes intoxicated, which manifests itself in its symptoms. Vomiting during renal colic is usually a one-time occurrence that does not bring relief to its owner, unlike multiple vomiting reflexes during intestinal volvulus.

Obstruction of the urinary tract and disruption of urine outflow from the kidneys and bladder causes general intoxication of the body, poisoning it with toxins. Therefore, nausea during renal colic is one of the main symptoms of the pathology that has arisen, along with severe pain syndrome. It is not possible to effectively relieve nausea with such a clinical picture of manifestation.

If the patient begins to be bothered by frequent renal colic, this may indicate that a fairly large stone in urolithiasis has moved from its place and gone through the ducts to the exit. In such a situation, the patient is bothered by sharp severe pain and he urgently needs emergency medical care.

This pathological symptomatology can manifest itself both on one side and on both sides. Left-sided renal colic during emergency medical therapy begins with the introduction of an anesthetic to the patient to reduce pain symptoms. After hospitalization, a nephrologist or urologist will conduct a more detailed general examination of the patient and prescribe the necessary treatment.

Unlike left-sided pathology, right-sided renal colic is not relieved by painkillers when calling an ambulance. Such precautions are taken by ambulance doctors because a similar pain picture can also be observed with appendicitis. If the pain syndrome is removed, it will be much more difficult to diagnose appendicitis. Therefore, the pain is relieved only after appendicitis is excluded from the diagnosis.

Attack of renal colic

This pathology is characterized by its suddenness, an attack of renal colic usually occurs without a preliminary prelude. The urethral canal is blocked suddenly, disrupting the outflow of urine. Therefore, the pain occurs instantly, out of the blue. Just a minute ago, a person felt absolutely healthy, and a minute later he begins to writhe from severe cramping pain.

Increased intrarenal tension irritates the sensitive nerve receptors of the gates and fibrous layers of the affected organ. Against the background of a failure in the normal flow of fluid, tissue hypoxia of the affected organ begins to develop. Nerve endings innervating the kidney are also subject to pathological changes.

The attack begins suddenly, often after active walking or intense exercise. But this fact is not a direct source of catalysis of the problem. It is just that when moving or under load, the stone also migrates more actively through the canals, which can lead to blockage of the passage lumen. This happens if the size of the foreign body exceeds the passage section of the canal. Abundant fluid intake, which activates the kidneys and, accordingly, the urinary system, can also provoke a sudden onset of pain syndrome.

A sharp pain occurs in the lumbar region and hypochondrium, which in a split second can spread to the entire affected half of the patient's body. In parallel with this, other symptoms corresponding to renal colic join the pain syndrome.

The patient is restless, any body position does not bring even a partial reduction in the intensity of the attack. The pain is so strong that the patient is unable to endure it. He groans and even screams.

This behavior of the victim is quite typical and it is this fact that allows us to assume a diagnosis even from a distance.

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Forms

This symptom of the disease according to the international classification also has its own code according to ICD 10, which sounds like “n23 renal colic unspecified” and belongs to the group of pathologies - “urolithiasis (n20-n23)”.

Renal colic in women

As with any renal attack, renal colic in women gives pain symptoms to the inguinal ligaments and to the area of the patient's external genitalia. In such a situation, the diagnosis should be made by a qualified and experienced doctor. After all, similar symptoms occur against the background of a rupture of the fallopian tubes. A similar situation in women can be provoked by ovarian apoplexy, twisting of the ovarian cyst stalk and other gynecological pathologies. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to exclude these diagnoses first (this fact especially concerns the rupture of the fallopian tubes - the life of a woman depends on the speed of establishing the cause in this situation), and then, if they are not confirmed, it is necessary to consider the possibility of renal colic.

But there is also some difference in symptoms. With gynecological problems, a woman's blood pressure usually drops, her skin turns pale and is covered in cold sweat, while the localization of renal colic is similar to that diagnosed with intercostal neuralgia and radiculitis.

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Renal colic during pregnancy

In most cases, renal colic during pregnancy occurs due to an exacerbation of the chronic form or the development of an acute stage of pyelonephritis. Mostly, pain symptoms in a woman who is expecting a baby occur on the right side, spreading from the lower back to the inguinal folds, outer labia and inner thighs. Depending on the location of the blockage of the duct, the pain can radiate in the direction of the urinary tract. In this case, the woman begins to feel sick, a vomiting reflex appears, an increase in temperature and feverish chills may be observed. Against the background of such a clinical picture, the urge to urinate in a pregnant woman becomes more frequent.

If the stone coming out has sharp edges, then traces of blood may appear in the urine. You should not ignore these symptoms, since it is extremely difficult to tolerate such pain, and this situation can also provoke premature birth. Therefore, if such a situation occurs, the pregnant woman should call an ambulance.

Renal colic in men

The symptoms of the pathology in question in the sexual aspect have their own differences. Renal colic in men, as well as in the weaker half, begins to manifest itself with pain symptoms in the lumbar region, on the side of the "sick" organ, but then severe spasmodic pain diverges along the movement of urine to the peritoneum, and then to the groin and scrotum, focusing on the head of the penis.

Associated symptoms include:

  • Increased urge to urinate.
  • When emptying the bladder, the man experiences sharp pain, similar to being stabbed with a knife.
  • Dizziness.
  • After the attack has passed, traces of blood may be observed in the urine.
  • The man experiences increased irritation affecting the abdominal cavity and solar plexus.
  • Nausea, occasional vomiting.
  • Frequent urge to defecate.

Renal colic in children

This syndrome is mainly diagnosed in school-age children. Renal colic in children begins with spasmodic pain symptoms that encircle the perimeter, affecting the lower back, navel, and lower abdomen. The difficulty of diagnosis in children is that there is no clear localization of pain. Against the background of an attack, the child is diagnosed with leukocyturia (the release of leukocytes in the urine in an amount exceeding the norm), microhematuria (the presence of erythrocytes in the urine, revealed only by microscopic examination) or macrohematuria (the presence of blood in the urine, visible to the naked eye).

Diagnostics renal colic

When a patient is admitted to a specialist for examination, the diagnosis of renal colic begins with the doctor examining his patient. Palpation of local areas is performed. The doctor also conducts:

  • Analysis of the patient's medical history.
  • A general urine analysis is required, which reveals an increased content of protein and leukocytes, the presence or absence of blood in the urine.
  • An ultrasound examination of the kidneys and genitourinary system is performed. This study is quite informative.
  • Excretory urography or cystography is an X-ray of the kidneys and bladder with a contrast agent, a method of examining the urinary tract based on the ability of the kidney to excrete.
  • Computer tomography makes it possible to obtain images that allow us to obtain the density of kidney stones and the condition of the urinary tract. These parameters are simply necessary when preparing a patient for surgery to remove them.

Urine in renal colic

Experts believe that the sensitivity level of the study in question is comparable to 80%. When conducting the analysis, urine in renal colic is subject to examination to determine its acidity (pH).

If this indicator is below 5, the urologist diagnoses the presence of stones with uric acid characteristics. If the indicator is above 7, these are urea breakdown products.

If the stone has sharp edges, then most likely there will be traces of blood in the urine, which is additional confirmation of the presence of stones. When examining the excreted fluid under a microscope, the laboratory technician is able to establish the presence of pyuria - a sign of inflammation in the patient's body, which suggests the presence of an infection.

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What do need to examine?

Differential diagnosis

The symptoms that occur when the pathology in question occurs are so specific that differential diagnostics of renal colic for an experienced specialist does not present much difficulty. The dominant cause of this pathology is urolithiasis, but other sources of the disease cannot be excluded. If necessary, the attending physician prescribes a consultation with such specialists as an oncologist, gynecologist, phthisiatrician.

Only after receiving a complete picture of pathological changes can we talk about the correct diagnosis, and, consequently, about a complete solution to the problem.

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Who to contact?

Treatment renal colic

In case of pain syndrome, treatment of renal colic has two main objectives:

  • Relieve the patient of pain.
  • Identify the source of obstruction and eliminate it.

The first stage of therapy involves the use of antispasmodics that relieve smooth muscle spasms. For example, platifillin, galidor, atropine, marelin, drotaverine, no-shpa, spazmalgin, indomethacin, papaverine, diclofenac, papazol, spazmol and others.

The treatment protocol must also include painkillers (analgesics): codeine, ibuprofen, tramadol, ketoprofen, paracetamol, piroxicam, phenazole, metamizole sodium, indomethacin and others.

Then they proceed to determine the extent of the obstruction and the location of the blockage. If the source of the problem is urolithiasis, the method of therapy largely depends on the volume of the calculus. If its size is insignificant, then it may be possible to get by with medicinal methods that allow you to partially dissolve the stone and remove it from the body. But if the stone is large enough, then you cannot do without surgical intervention. Modern medicine is ready to offer such patients more innovative methods of stopping the problem, for example, crushing stones with ultrasound or laser. This method makes it possible to grind the stone into sand, which makes it easier to remove.

Traditional medicine methods are used quite actively, allowing to "drive away sand". But it should be immediately warned that self-medication should not be done. If the stone is large enough, and the patient takes a diuretic, then the situation will only worsen, leading to blockage of the ureters.

Emergency care for renal colic

If the pain syndrome is observed on the left side, then doctors immediately administer drugs to the patient that relieve smooth muscle spasms, and also relieve the pain syndrome with analgesics. If the pain affects the right side, then it is necessary to first remove the diagnosis of appendicitis, and only then provide emergency care for renal colic. But in any case, such a patient is subject to hospitalization, a full-scale examination and a course of treatment corresponding to the picture of the disease.

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First aid for renal colic

A person is "twisted by an attack" - it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance. But before its arrival, some measures can be taken that will ease the condition of the sufferer. But it should be remembered that pre-hospital care for renal colic is carried out if there is no doubt about the disease. Otherwise, the patient's condition can only be harmed.

The first thing that needs to be done is to carry out a thermal procedure: a hot water bottle, a warm bath, hot sand in a burlap bag, which is applied to the lumbar or hypochondrium area.

The second is to offer the person plenty of fluids to drink.

Third, give the patient a painkiller and antispasmodic. For example, 10-20 drops of cystenal, a tablet of baralgin, 0.5-1 g of avisan, 0.04 g of papaverine.

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What to do with renal colic?

An attack has happened, so what to do with renal colic? There is only one answer - call an ambulance immediately. If the patient and his environment are confident in this diagnosis, then it is necessary to apply dry heat to the sore spot and wait for doctors. Such a patient is subject to emergency hospitalization in the following cases:

  • Bilateral renal colic.
  • The patient has one organ.
  • If there is no positive therapeutic dynamics observed.
  • Presence of factors indicating complications.
  • Old age of the patient.
  • There is no possibility of monitoring the patient’s condition in a polyclinic setting.

The patient is hospitalized lying down. If the diagnosis is in question, the patient is taken to the emergency room of a multidisciplinary hospital.

Medicines for renal colic

Medicines for renal colic have two directions of action: antispasmodics, which relax smooth muscles, relieving spasms (platifillin, papaverine, diclofenac, no-shpa, atropine, drotaverine, spazmalgin and others); analgesics, which relieve pain (codeine, paracetamol, ibuprofen, tramadol, phenazole, indomethacin and others).

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Injections for renal colic

Injections for renal colic show higher efficiency in terms of speed of action. This form of drugs is absorbed into the blood faster, bringing the patient the fastest relief. For example, baralgin, administered by injection intramuscularly or by invasion intravenously, in the amount of 5 ml, helps to relieve pain. The antispasmodic atropine 0.1% solution, in a dosage of 1 ml is administered to the patient subcutaneously.

A similar method is prescribed for a 1-2% solution of promedol or pantopon, administered subcutaneously in a volume of 1 ml. Instead, the attending physician can prescribe a 0.2% solution of platifillin (1 ml) to his patient - the injection is also made under the skin.

Use of painkillers

Medicines of this group should be used with caution, especially if the correct disease has not yet been established, since painkillers for renal colic can significantly change the clinical picture of the pathology. But without drugs of this group, you cannot do without stopping the problem in question.

Diclofenac

The analgesic diclofenac is used for renal colic in various forms. In tablets, adults are administered a dosage of 0.1 - 0.15 g, divided into two or three doses.

For small patients, this drug is prescribed at a rate of 1–2 mg per kilogram of the baby’s weight, divided into two or three doses.

The drug is contraindicated for patients with a history of ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal mucosa, internal bleeding, severe kidney and liver pathology. Third trimester of pregnancy, lactation period, hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.

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Ketorol

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ketorol has a pronounced analgesic effect in renal colic.

The patient can be given 10 mg of the drug once. If the expected effect does not occur, then repeated administration of the drug in the same dosage is allowed, but no more than four times a day. The course of treatment is no more than five days.

The administration of this drug is not allowed if the patient suffers from angioedema, hemorrhagic stroke, hematopoiesis disorder, has an individual intolerance to ketorolac or other NSAIDs, ulcerative-erosive lesions of the gastrointestinal mucosa in the acute phase.

Baralgin

The drug is prescribed both in the form of tablets administered orally and as a solution for injection into the muscle and vein. Baralgin for renal colic is prescribed to an adult patient one to two tablets two to three times a day.

In case of acute pain, preference is given to injections: 5 ml, which are given every six to eight hours. After the attack has been stopped, the form of the administered drug is changed to tablets or rectal suppositories, used two to three or four times a day (the amount is determined by the attending physician).

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Antispasmodics

This group of drugs is used to relieve smooth muscle spasms. Antispasmodics are mandatory for renal colic, because the pain syndrome causes muscles to spasm, which in turn increases the pain.

Papaverine

To relax the muscles, papaverine for renal colic is prescribed in a single dose:

  • adults 40 - 80 mg,
  • adolescents (10 to 14 years old) 15–20 mg,
  • children 10-15 mg (from 5 to 10 years old),
  • for children 5-10 mg (from 0.5 to 4 years).

It is administered three to four times throughout the day.

It is taken intramuscularly or subcutaneously by adults at 1–2 ml of a 2% solution.

The drug is not prescribed to patients with impaired atrioventricular conduction.

No-shpa

For adult patients, No-Spa for renal colic is recommended in a daily dosage of 0.12–0.24 g. For children from one to six years old – 0.04–0.12 g, and over six – 0.08–0.2 g. The dosages are divided into two or three doses.

The drug is contraindicated for administration to patients with severe dysfunction of the heart, liver and kidneys, as well as in cases of increased intolerance to drotaverine or any excipient of the drug.

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Platyphylline

A fairly strong antispasmodic platifillin for renal colic is prescribed to the patient subcutaneously, 2-4 mg three times a day. The maximum permissible single dose is 10 mg, daily - 30 mg.

Contraindications to platifillin include liver and kidney dysfunction, as well as glaucoma.

Nutrition for renal colic

When the patient's body develops or has a pathological tendency to this problem, nutrition during renal colic plays, if not the leading, then a significant role in preventing the formation of kidney stones. Correcting the patient's diet can be attributed to both preventive and therapeutic measures.

What can you eat with renal colic?

In light of the problem discussed in this article, it is necessary to understand what can you eat with renal colic?

Adjustment of permitted products largely depends on the nature of the stones being formed. If the basis for their formation is urea (urate), food should be shifted towards alkalization. In such a situation, juices, dairy products, fruits and vegetables will be useful. In this case, the attending physician prescribes diet table No. 6 to the patient.

When oxalates are formed, the diet of such a patient should contain products rich in magnesium. These include products made from wholemeal flour, dried fruits, rye and wheat bran, cereals (millet, oatmeal, pearl barley, buckwheat).

Diet for renal colic

If the source of the problem under consideration is not fully understood, the diet for renal colic corresponds to table No. 10. This selection of products and dishes is prescribed to patients who need to support and optimize the work of the whole organism, metabolic processes.

This diet involves reducing the proportion of carbohydrate and fatty foods in a person's diet. The amount of salt consumed is significantly reduced. Dishes are prepared without it. Heavy, poorly digestible dishes are excluded from the patient's table. Products capable of causing flatulence, those that irritate the mucous membrane of the digestive tract and the nervous system are removed.

It is necessary to remove the baked goods and fresh bread.

If the source of renal colic is established, the diet is adjusted directly to this disease.

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Diet menu

If such a problem exists, then the patient needs to learn how to make up his diet so that it meets the requirements of the diet, but at the same time is complete and tasty. We would like to offer one of the menu options for renal colic.

Breakfast: pearl barley porridge, seasoned with a piece of butter.

Lunch: pear.

Dinner:

  • Vegetable or cereal soup.
  • Mashed potatoes with steamed cutlet.
  • Green tea with biscuits.

Afternoon snack: fresh fruit or fruit jelly with dried fruit.

Dinner:

  • Stewed vegetables.
  • Hibiscus tea.

Low-fat yogurt before bed.

Renal colic treatment at home

This pathology can be treated on an outpatient basis. It should be immediately noted that renal colic treatment at home can only be carried out after a correct diagnosis. At home, such a patient is prescribed bed rest or semi-bed rest. Also, the attending physician introduces analgesics, antispasmodics and, without fail, dietary nutrition, stipulated by table No. 10, into the therapy protocol. If the diagnosis is urate urolithiasis, then the diet is adjusted by dietary table No. 6.

During the day, such a patient should take thermal procedures (baths, a heating pad or a bag of sand on the painful area).

Constant monitoring of the amount of fluid consumed and excreted is necessary. But if the patient's condition worsens, you should immediately call an ambulance.

Hot bath for renal colic

If the diagnosis is established, then one of the methods of emergency assistance can be a hot bath for renal colic, which shows an analgesic effect.

First, you should apply a hot water bottle to the painful area; if the pain has not subsided after half an hour, you should take a hot bath. Water (+40°C) is poured into the container in such a volume that when the patient sits in the bath, it reaches his shoulder blades. Gradually, the temperature of the liquid is brought to +50°C. The entire procedure takes 15-20 minutes (no more). During this time, the patient's face (and head) is soaked with cold water.

A medical professional must be present with the patient throughout the entire procedure.

But such a procedure is contraindicated for elderly patients and those who suffer from cardiovascular diseases.

Folk remedies for renal colic

There are also recipes that allow you to dissolve and remove stones and sand from the body:

  • For example, you can make 7 pancakes from 70 peppercorns (crush them). Eat one per day.
  • Twenty-minute baths with horsetail infusion help.
  • For a long time, folk remedies for renal colic have called watermelons an effective remedy, which should be given in unlimited quantities during the period of their mass ripening.

Herbal tinctures are also effective. Patients with a good therapeutic effect take such herbs for renal colic: marshmallow seeds, laurel rhizome, wormwood, Ceylon cinnamon, wild cucumber, rose hips, asparagus, maidenhair daisy and many others. Decoctions and infusions of these natural components, and their complex combination, brewed in the classical way, have come to the aid of more than one patient.

Moderate physical exercise for renal colic helps to better pass stones.

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Clinical guidelines for the management of renal colic

Renal colic is a severe pain caused by a urinary stone becoming lodged in the ureter, which connects the kidney and bladder. This condition can be very painful and requires immediate intervention and medical attention. Here are some clinical guidelines for managing a case of renal colic:

  1. See a doctor: If you have sharp and severe lower back pain that may radiate down to your side or abdomen, and that is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, bloody urine, or pain when urinating, see a doctor or call 911 immediately. Renal colic requires professional evaluation and treatment.
  2. Drink plenty of water: Try to increase your water intake. This can help flush out the urinary tract and help the stone pass. However, if vomiting occurs, reduce the amount of fluid and drink it in small sips.
  3. Analgesics: Your doctor may prescribe you painkillers to relieve pain. Do not try to manage the pain on your own, as choosing the wrong medication may make the situation worse.
  4. Heat: Some patients may benefit from applying a hot water bottle to the kidney area. However, this should be done with caution and heat should not be applied if a urinary tract infection is suspected.
  5. Rest: In case of an acute attack of renal colic, it is recommended to lie down, give yourself rest and avoid physical activity.
  6. Monitor your symptoms: It is important to monitor your symptoms for changes and respond to them. If your condition worsens or new symptoms appear, be sure to consult your doctor.
  7. Urological treatment: Your doctor may decide that urological procedures are needed to remove a urinary stone if it does not pass on its own or is causing serious complications.

Renal colic requires professional intervention, and it is important not to self-medicate. Follow your doctor’s recommendations and undergo the necessary examination and treatment to prevent further problems.

Prevention

If you have a genetic or acquired predisposition to the formation of stones in the genitourinary system or other factors that can cause the attack in question, you should not neglect the recommendations of specialists. Prevention of renal colic includes some measures.

  • It is essential to establish the source of stone formation or other diseases that could lead to an attack.
  • Treat these diseases promptly and completely.
  • Avoid overheating.
  • If there are no contraindications, you should significantly increase your fluid intake: up to 3-4 liters per day. This includes medicinal herbal infusions and mousses.
  • Adjustment of the diet is essential.
  • To prevent relapses, the patient should take prophylactic doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • It is necessary to minimize salt intake.
  • Moderate physical activity is required.

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Forecast

Faced with the problem, patients are interested in the prognosis of renal colic, and it largely depends on the size of the formed stone (if it is the cause). Formations up to 5 mm have a good chance of leaving the patient's body on their own, without causing major problems to their owner. Surgery is necessary in two cases out of a hundred. After an attack, a dull pain may bother you for some time.

Subsequently, the result of therapy depends on the source of the pathology and the timely assistance provided, but in most cases it is favorable.

Renal colic is not only an unpleasant, but also quite dangerous symptom. In addition to the fact that the patient has to endure severe pain, the pathology itself, if the necessary relief measures are not provided in a timely manner, can lead to quite serious complications. For example, if the cause of the pain syndrome is a kidney stone that has blocked the ureter, and if it is equipped with sharp edges, the patient may experience internal bleeding, and a sharp increase in intrarenal pressure is observed. Therefore, it is necessary to know exactly what to do immediately when such an attack occurs.

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