A stent is a small, tube-shaped medical device designed to be placed inside a natural passage or conduit in the body to keep it open. These devices are used to prevent or counteract the narrowing of bodily passages caused by disease. While stents are widely used and often provide significant relief, many people wonder if their presence can lead to pain or discomfort.
What Stents Are and Why They’re Used
A stent is typically a small mesh tube, though some are made of fabric or other materials, inserted into a hollow structure within the body. Their primary function is to maintain the openness of narrowed or weakened vessels and ducts, restoring proper flow. Stents are commonly used in various parts of the body, including coronary arteries to improve blood flow to the heart, ureters to facilitate urine drainage from the kidneys, and bile ducts to ensure bile flow. They can also be placed in airways in the lungs or in larger arteries like the aorta to treat aneurysms.
Why Stents Can Cause Pain
While stents are designed to improve health by keeping passages open, they can sometimes cause pain or discomfort. This pain can arise from several factors, varying based on the stent’s location and the body’s reaction. One common reason is mechanical irritation; the stent, as a foreign object, can rub against the internal lining of the vessel or organ, leading to inflammation and discomfort. For instance, ureteral stents, placed between the kidney and bladder, can cause bladder irritation, frequent urination, and pain in the kidney or groin area, which may worsen with physical activity or after urinating.
In the context of coronary stents, discomfort can sometimes be felt at the catheter insertion site, typically in the groin or wrist, manifesting as soreness or bruising. Beyond the insertion site, some individuals with coronary stents might experience chest pain, which could indicate the artery re-narrowing due to tissue growth inside the stent, a condition known as restenosis. Biliary stents, used in bile ducts, can cause abdominal pain, particularly if they lead to inflammation, infection, or if the stent migrates or becomes blocked.
Coping with Stent Discomfort
For general pain, over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be effective. For ureteral stents, specific medications such as alpha-blockers may be prescribed to help relax the ureter and reduce spasms, which can alleviate cramping and pain. Staying adequately hydrated is often recommended, especially for ureteral stents, as it helps flush the urinary tract and may dilute urine, potentially reducing irritation.
Activity modification is also important; while strenuous activities should generally be avoided for a period, typically about a week after coronary stent placement, light activity and rest are encouraged. For ureteral stents, increased physical activity can sometimes worsen pain, so patients may need to adjust their work or exercise routines. Avoiding constipation through diet or over-the-counter remedies can also help, as straining can exacerbate pain, particularly with ureteral stents. Applying a heating pad or taking warm baths can also offer some relief for localized discomfort.
Recognizing Serious Symptoms
For any type of stent, severe or worsening pain that is not relieved by medication should be reported to a healthcare provider. Signs of infection, such as fever, chills, increased pain, redness, swelling, or pus at the insertion site, are concerning and require prompt evaluation. For ureteral stents, symptoms like a burning sensation during urination, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, severe flank pain, or a significant change in the amount of blood in the urine could indicate an infection or other complication.
For coronary stents, persistent or severe chest pain, shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, or an irregular heartbeat may signal a serious issue like a blood clot in the stent or re-narrowing of the artery. Any unexplained symptoms, difficulty breathing, or signs of a dislodged stent, such as part of it coming out, should also prompt immediate medical consultation.