Page 19 - Urological Health

Visiting the ER for your urological problems:

When to go and what to expect

Dr. Anthony J. Bella
Urologist
Greta and John Hansen Chair in Men’s Health Research
Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada

Let’s look at why you would go to the emergency room (ER) for a urological problem.
Each section is divided by:

• The problem;
• The symptoms (what you’ll feel, see and what the doctor can see);
• The tests you may have in the ER; and
• The treatment.
Finding the cause of your emergency is the first step to finding solution just for you.

Kidney

1. Kidney stones

The problem: Stones that block the drainage tube from the kidney down to the bladder (or obstructing
ureteral calculi) are the most common cause of severe back and side pain (or flank colic) seen in the
ER. Renal colic is the name for the pain caused by passing a kidney stone. The kidneys play an
important role in eliminating waste products from the body. These are usually dissolved in the urine.
About one in 10 Canadians will develop a kidney stone sometime during their life. More men than
women get kidney stones; children rarely get them.
Symptoms: Pain from a kidney stone is felt on the side where the
kidney stone is located. Its exact location either in the kidney or in the
ureter may change as the stone moves down the ureter toward the
bladder (Figure 1). Renal colic will often start in the flank (between
the ribs and hip) or lower back, but it can also be felt in the lower
abdomen, groin, genitals or inner thigh. You may feel mild to severe
cramping or stabbing pain which may lead you to the hospital.
The pain may increase and decrease in severity, coming and going
with episodes of pain lasting 20 to 60 minutes.You may try to ease the
pain by moving around and trying to find a comfortable position, but
this rarely works. Nausea, vomiting and/or a frequent urge to urinate, Figure 1. A look at the ureters
which may be painful, often occur. You may also experience blood in and where a kidney stone may
the urine (hematuria) when you have kidney stones. lodge itself.

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