Urolithiasis

Urolithiasis is characterized clinically by pain and hematuria. It is a common urological condition and includes kidney stones, ureteral stones, bladder stones, and urethral stones.

TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Guide

|Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Low back or lower abdominal pain, or a sudden interruption of the urine stream; frequent urination, urgency, painful urination, cloudy or reddish urine, or hematuria; dry mouth and thirst. The tongue is red with a yellow, greasy coating, and the pulse is wiry and rapid.

In plain language:

  • Pain in the lower back or lower abdomen.
  • The urine stream may stop suddenly.
  • Frequent urination, a strong urge to urinate, and pain when urinating.
  • Cloudy, yellowish urine or blood in the urine.
  • Dry mouth and thirst.
  • The tongue appears somewhat red, with a yellow, greasy coating.
  • The pulse feels taut and somewhat rapid.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Clear heat and promote the resolution of dampness; promote urination and facilitate stone passage.

In plain language:

  • Intended to help clear internal heat and promote the elimination of dampness, potentially easing discomfort such as feeling hot, thirst, or bodily heaviness.
  • Intended to promote urination and facilitate stone passage, potentially easing scanty, dark urine with a stinging sensation, difficulty urinating, or colicky pain in the lower back or abdomen.

|Related Products

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

|Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Sudden onset; distending pain or colicky pain in the lower back or abdomen, radiating to the external genital area; frequent urination, urgency, painful urination, and yellow or reddish urine. The tongue is dark red or has purple spots, and the pulse is wiry or wiry and rapid.

In plain language:

  • Symptoms start quickly and may worsen suddenly.
  • There may be a distending or colicky pain in the lower back or abdomen, radiating to the external genital area.
  • Frequent urination and urgency, with pain during urination.
  • The urine may be yellow or reddish.
  • The tongue appears dark red, or purple spots may be visible on its surface.
  • The pulse may feel taut like a stretched string, or taut and somewhat rapid.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Regulate qi and invigorate blood; promote urination and facilitate stone passage.

In plain language:

  • Intended to help regulate qi and promote blood circulation, potentially easing symptoms such as distending fullness in the chest and flanks, abdominal pain, or purple spots.
  • Intended to promote urination and facilitate stone passage, potentially easing scanty, dark urine with a stinging sensation, difficulty urinating, or colicky pain in the lower back or abdomen.

|Related Products

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

References

  1. Li Yueqing. TCM Surgery [M]. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2002: 286–288.
  2. Yang Junfeng, Zhang Yaqiang. Summary and analysis of related literature on experience in treating urolithiasis with traditional Chinese medicine [J]. Beijing Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2010, 29(8): 635–637.