Urolithiasis is a common urological disease that anyone can experience in their lifetime. It is characterized by severe pain as stones formed in the kidneys move along the ureters. Typical symptoms include sharp flank pain, hematuria, and vomiting. According to domestic statistics, the probability of experiencing urolithiasis in a lifetime is about 8.8%, and it is known that men are about 2-3 times more likely to develop it than women.
While some stones may pass naturally, active treatment is needed if the pain is severe or the stone is large. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is a widely performed non-surgical treatment that removes stones relatively conveniently. ESWL is a procedure that focuses high-energy shock waves generated outside the body on the stone to break it into fine fragments.
Goldman Urology Incheon branch Director Kim Byung-hoon advises: "Urolithiasis is a disease that can be sufficiently managed if accurately diagnosed and treated early. If sudden flank pain, hematuria, or vomiting occurs, it's important not to endure it but to quickly seek help from medical staff."