Advice on Urolitiasis. During an acute episode of pyeloureteral colic, driving is impossible.

Spontaneous expulsion of the calculus that is not accompanied by fever or haematuria, means the patient will be able to drive again almost immediately. If the patient's condition improves after the acute episode but he continues to take analgesic and sedative treatments, the doctor should remind him of the side effects the medication can produce, which may affect driving. If the process of expelling the calculus is difficult or is accompanied by complications, the doctor will decide when the symptoms have resolved to a sufficient degree to allow the patient to begin driving again, and will inform him when the time comes. The mechanical removal of calculus requires the direct evaluation of a specialist, who will inform the patient when he is recovering and no longer suffers from any complications which could interfere with driving. Lithotripsy requires a period of rest and expulsion of the stones, which mean driving is impossible. The specialist will decide if the treatment has been effective and it is possible to go back to daily activities, which include driving. The surgical extraction of the calculus is a process which varies in complexity, and requires the precise indications of the urologist with regard to the advisability of taking up daily activities such as driving again. Advice on Obstructive Uropathy. Urinary retention is a condition that demands urgent medical attention, and which precludes driving. Partial symptomatic obstructions caused by infection, hypertension, renal failure, pain, etc, limit driving, so this should be discouraged until the diagnosis has been made and the physician has commenced appropriate treatment and the patient is recovering from the condition. Advice on Lower obstructive uropathy. When there is seriously high degree of unilateral obstructive uropathy in cases where the contralateral kidney is functioning but this is not total or accompanied by infection and has not produced important renal lesions, driving can be allowed. In other serious cases of obstructive uropathy driving is not advisable until the diagnosis has been made, treatment has been established and the specialist has told the patient that the clinical symptoms have resolved and that he may once again drive.