Urolithiasis

Strangury syndrome refers to a group of disorders attributed to dietary factors, overexertion, or invasion by damp-heat. Its main underlying patterns are kidney deficiency, damp-heat in the urinary bladder, and impaired qi transformation. It is characterized clinically by frequent, urgent urination; dribbling; painful, difficult urination; lower abdominal tightness; and pain radiating to the lower back and abdomen. Strangury syndrome is also known as linli or the five types of strangury, and is commonly abbreviated to lin. Different names are used according to the clinical presentation, including heat strangury, blood strangury, qi strangury, stone strangury (gravel strangury), turbid strangury, taxation strangury, and cold strangury. When onset is acute, it is called sudden-onset or acute strangury. Strangury during pregnancy or after childbirth is called pregnancy-related or postpartum strangury. In older adults, it is called senile strangury. In Western medicine, urinary tract infections, urinary stones, urinary tuberculosis, urinary tract tumors, chyluria, prostatitis, and benign prostatic hyperplasia may be considered in reference to this section for pattern differentiation and treatment when urinary tract irritative symptoms are present.

TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference

|Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Gravel may intermittently appear in the urine; urination may be difficult and uncomfortable, or may stop suddenly. There may be a pressing sensation and pain in the urethra, tightness in the lower abdomen, or severe colicky pain in the lower back and abdomen. The tongue is red with a thin yellow coating.

In plain language:

  • Small, sand-like particles may be mixed in with the urine.
  • Urination may be difficult and feel uncomfortable.
  • The urine stream may suddenly stop.
  • There may be a strong sense of pressure in the urethra, along with pain.
  • The lower abdomen may feel tight and tense.
  • Severe, unbearable colicky pain may occur in the lower back and abdomen.
  • The tongue may appear red.
  • The tongue coating may be thin and yellow.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Clear heat, promote urination, unblock strangury, and expel stones.

In plain language:

  • Help clear internal heat and promote urination, easing discomfort such as feeling feverish and restless, scant dark urine, or burning, stinging pain.
  • Help improve the flow of urine and expel stones, easing symptoms such as difficulty urinating, colicky pain in the lower back and abdomen, or sand-like particles in the urine.

|Related Products

The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.

|Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

When the condition is prolonged and gravel remains unexpelled, symptoms may include shortness of breath and fatigue, a pale tongue with teeth marks along its edges, and a fine, weak pulse; alternatively, there may be heat in the palms and soles, a red tongue with little coating, and a fine, slightly rapid pulse.

In plain language:

  • The condition has lasted a long time, and sand-like particles in the urine have not cleared. There may also be shortness of breath and fatigue, a pale tongue with tooth marks along its edges, and a fine, weak pulse.
  • Alternatively, the palms and soles may feel hot, the tongue may be red with little coating, and the pulse may be fine and somewhat rapid.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Tonify qi and nourish yin, clear heat, drain dampness, and expel stones.

In plain language:

  • Help replenish qi and nourish yin, easing discomfort such as fatigue, shortness of breath, restlessness, thirst, hot flashes, or night sweats.
  • Help clear internal heat and promote the elimination of dampness, easing discomfort such as a heavy feeling in the body, scant dark urine, or burning, stinging pain.
  • Help improve the flow of urine and expel stones, easing symptoms such as colicky pain in the lower back and abdomen, difficulty urinating, or sand-like particles in the urine.

|Related Products

The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.

References

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  2. Wu Mianhua, Wang Xinyue. Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine [M]. 9th ed. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2012.
  3. Wang Jiyao. Internal Medicine [M]. 2nd ed. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2010.
  4. Zhou Lei, Han Jie, Gao Suqiang. Rational Use of Chinese Patent Medicines for Diseases of the Urinary System [J]. Capital Medicine, 2011, 10: 41–43.
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  6. Pu Xiang, Zhang Junhua. Analysis of Clinical Research Literature on the Treatment of Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection with Traditional Chinese Medicine [J]. Liaoning Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2016, 43(3): 516–519.
  7. Zhu Jianming, Pang Haolong, Gong Lianbing. Series of Lectures on the Rational Use of Medicines in the Armed Forces (41): Rational Use of Chinese Patent Medicines for Chronic Pyelonephritis [J]. People’s Military Surgeon, 2014, 57(5): 556–557.