The condition referred to as stone strangury in Donguibogam is what modern medicine calls urolithiasis. It is a disorder where stones develop along the path where urine travels, including the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra, causing various symptoms. These stones form when substances such as calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, uric acid, struvite, and cystine crystallize. One of the main causes of urolithiasis is insufficient fluid intake. When you drink little water, urine becomes concentrated, the level of stone-forming substances rises, and they easily aggregate into stones. In addition, a high-salt diet, excessive protein intake, consumption of foods rich in oxalic acid such as spinach, chocolate, and nuts, obesity, family history, and certain conditions like hyperparathyroidism or gout can also contribute. Symptoms vary depending on the size and location of the calculus, but the most characteristic sign is severe flank pain. When a calculus blocks the flow of urine, pressure builds up in the kidney, causing severe pain known as renal colic. Blood in the urine, nausea, vomiting, dysuria, and frequent urination may also occur. Diagnosis is primarily made through urinalysis, abdominal X-ray, ultrasound, and abdominal CT scan. A computed tomography scan is particularly useful for identifying the exact location and size of the calculus. Treatment depends on the size of the stone and the severity of symptoms. Small calculi are managed by encouraging natural passage through adequate hydration and medication. However, when a calculus is too large to pass naturally or causes unbearable pain, surgical treatments such as breaking the calculus with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or removing it directly using ureteroscopy may be considered. Preventing urolithiasis through daily habits is essential for long-term urinary tract health.
