In case your urologist has said that you require a kidney stent then this guide would help you know more about it and will also tell how to sleep to reduce the discomfort caused by a kidney stent.
What is A Kidney Stent?
It is safe to assume that you are unaware of what a kidney stent is and what it does. So, let us start by discussing it first. A kidney stent is a hollow soft plastic tube that is inserted into the patient’s ureter. The purpose of a kidney stent is to provide relief from an obstruction that is present in the ureter, to facilitate treatment of a larger stone, and it can also be used after a surgery when the ureter needs to be protected as it heals. Apart from the above-mentioned reasons, other factors could convince the doctor that you need a kidney stent. You need not worry as your doctor would discuss why you need a kidney stent before using it.
How Is A Kidney Stent Inserted?
A doctor would first use an anesthetic to put you out and then use a cyst scope for the procedure. A cyst scope is passed through the urethra into the bladder. In this cyst scope there would be a wire that would be passed up to the kidney. A stent is threaded over this wire. Once the kidney stent is in its place, the guiding wire is taken out and the top and the bottom portion of the stent are made into a pigtail. This pigtail shape helps in keeping the stent in place. The duration for which the kidney stent is placed varies depending on the reason behind its use. Most patients get the stent removed in a few weeks’ time whereas others might need it for a while longer. Most people don’t even realize that the kidney stent is present. However, some people might feel that the stent is present and feel an ache in their side, especially after passing urine. There is also a small chance that you will see blood in the urine. It is a common occurrence and mostly goes away with enough fluid consumption.
How to Sleep with A Kidney Stent?
A lot of people worry if they would need to change their sleeping habits when a kidney stent is used. The answer to this question is that it depends on your sleeping habits and the medicines prescribed. A lot of patients who have a kidney stent are prescribed sleeping pills by their physician. So, any discomfort that you would face due to the stent would not be felt after you take a pill. Some people also prefer to sleep on their sides, so they are generally told to sleep on the opposite side to the one where the kidney stent is placed. It is also recommended that the patients have a bed pan right next to them as they go to sleep as it would come in handy at night. A few people feel pain in their lower back region and might prefer to sleep on their bellies. This is completely normal and there is no need to worry. The patients need to ensure that they are comfortable as the sleeping pills make falling asleep with a kidney stent fairly easy. For more details on how to sleep with a kidney stent or if you feel discomfort while lying down, please consult your doctor.
Are There Any Side Effects of a Kidney Stent?
In most cases, a person shouldn’t experience much difficulty in performing their day to day activity due to the kidney stent. There might be a slight pain, but the patient is given pain killers to deal with it. However, there are minor side-effects of using a kidney stent. These include
- A need to pass urine more often than the patient used to.
- There is also a possibility that the urine might contain blood sometimes. To deal with this problem the patient should drink around 2 liters of water every day.
- There is also a chance that you may suffer from incontinence and a feeling that your bladder isn’t emptied properly.
How Is the Kidney Stent Removed?
Most of the time, a kidney stent is removed after a few days of inserting it. However, in certain cases, the doctors recommend a stent to stay in place for up to three months. A stent left longer than three months could lead to complications such as blockage, stone formation or even infections.
To remove the stent, cystoscopy is used which is an outpatient procedure. The procedure takes hardly fifteen minutes and doesn’t cause any major discomfort. In most cases, the patients only need local anesthesia in the urethra. Before removal of the stint, a sterile lubricant which is infused with the anesthetic is inserted into the urethra.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is A Kidney Stent?
A kidney stent is a hollow soft plastic tube that is inserted into the patient’s ureter. The purpose of a kidney stent is to provide relief from an obstruction that is present in the ureter, to facilitate treatment of a larger stone, and it can also be used after a surgery when the ureter needs to be protected as it heals.
What Are the Side Effects of Having A Kidney Stent?
Side effects of a kidney stent include the urge to urinate more frequently than before. Pinkish color of urine, presence of blood in urine (this can be dealt with by drinking enough fluids, around 2 liters of water every day).
How to Sleep Comfortably with A Kidney Stent?
Most of the time doctors provide painkillers to subdue pain after a stent is placed. However, people who prefer to sleep on the side usually sleep on the side opposite to the one where the stent is placed. People might feel slight pain in their backs and might prefer to sleep on their bellies.
For How Long A Stent Is Placed?
Most of the time a stent is removed within a few days after it is inserted. However, doctors might recommend certain patients to have the stent for up to three months. After three months, the stent is removed as it can cause complications.
