What are Bladder Stones?
Bladder stones are mineralized lumps in the bladder. They occur when minerals in concentrated urine crystallize and harden into stones. This is common in people who have difficulty completely emptying their bladder.
Small bladder stones may dissolve on their own. However, larger bladder stones may necessitate medicine or surgery. If left untreated, bladder stones can lead to infections and other health problems.
Symptoms
Even though the large bladder stones do not always create health issues. However, if a stone irritates the bladder wall or blocks urine transit, the following signs and symptoms may appear:
- Pain during urination
- Difficulty urinating or interrupted urine flow
- Cloudy or unusually dark-colored urine
- Lower abdominal pain
- Frequent urination
- Blood in the urine
Causes
When the bladder doesn't completely empty, bladder stones might form. Urine becomes concentrated as a result of this. Stones can form when concentrated urine crystallizes.
Bladder stones may result from some infections. An underlying disorder that inhibits the bladder's ability to hold, store, or remove urine can often induce bladder stone formation. Bladder stones are usually triggered by any unwanted material in the bladder. Bladder stones are most commonly caused by the following conditions:
- Prostate gland enlargement Men with BPH, or benign prostatic hyperplasia, may develop bladder stones. Urine flow obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate might prevent the bladder from emptying.
- Damaged nerves Normally, nerves send orders from the brain to the bladder muscles, instructing them to contract or relax. The bladder might not empty entirely if these nerves are injured due to a stroke,spinal cord injury, or another medical condition. It's referred to as a neurogenic bladder.
The following are additional bladder stone causes:
- Inflammation Bladder inflammation can result in bladder stones and is often brought on by urinary infections or radiation therapy to the pelvis.
- Medical devices Bladder stones may develop due to bladder catheters, thin tubes put through the urethra to assist with urine drainage. The same is true for anything that unintentionally moves to the bladder, like a urinary stent or a contraceptive device. On the surfaces of these objects, minerals tend to crystallize and eventually turn into stones.
- Kidney stones Stones that develop in the kidneys differ from bladder stones. Their growth takes different forms. However, kidney stones can pass through the ureters into the bladder and, if not passed out, can develop into bladder stones.
Risk factors
Bladder stones are more common in men, especially those over 50. The following conditions can increase the incidence of bladder stones:
- An obstruction Bladder stone formation can be caused by any condition that prevents the passage of urine from the bladder to the urethra, which is the tube that particles out of the body. The most frequent cause, while there are others, is an enlarged prostate.
- Nerve damage Nerves that regulate bladder function can be harmed by stroke, spinal cord injuries,Parkinson's disease,diabetes, a herniated disc, and various other conditions.
It is possible to have a nerve injury and a disease that causes bladder outlet obstruction. The combination of these increases the risk of stones.
Complications
Bladder stones that do not pass, even if they do not produce symptoms, might develop issues such as:
- Chronic bladder problems Chronic urinary problems, including pain or frequent urination, might develop from untreated bladder stones. However, bladder stones can restrict urine flow by becoming trapped in the opening, where urine enters the bladder and the urethra.
- Urinary tract infections Bladder stones may be the root cause of persistent bacterial infections in the urinary tract.
Prevention
- Inform the doctor of any odd urine symptoms. The chance of acquiring bladder stones may be lower if patients get an enlarged prostate or another urologic issue treated quickly.
- Be sure to stay hydrated. By diluting the concentration of minerals in the bladder, fluids, especially water, can help avoid bladder stones. Age, size, health, and activity level affect how much water one should consume. What fluid intake is ideal for individuals should be discussed with the doctor.
Diagnosis
Bladder stone diagnosis may include:
- A physical exam The doctor may perform a rectal exam to check the size of the prostate or may feel the lower abdomen to see whether the bladder is enlarged (distended). You'll also talk about any urinary symptoms or indicators you may be experiencing.
- A urine test It is possible to take a sample of the urine and test it for tiny blood, germs, and mineral crystals. Urinalysis also checks for urinary tract infections, which can cause or result in bladder stones.
- CT scan CT scans the inside of the body fast and clearly using X-rays and computers. Even very tiny stones can be found with CT. This one is one of the most accurate tests for detecting all kinds of bladder stones.
- Ultrasound With the use of images created by sound waves reflecting off the body's organs and other structures, this test can help you find bladder stones.
- X-ray The doctor can tell if you have bladder stones by looking at X-rays of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. However, some forms of stones are invisible to standard X-rays.
Treatment
Lots of water consumption may help in the natural passage of tiny stones. However, because bladder stones are sometimes brought on by a problem completely emptying the bladder, drinking more water might not be sufficient to dissolve the stone. You'll almost always need to get the stones removed. There are various methods for doing this.
- Breaking stones apart One method involves giving someone numbing medicine or a general anesthetic to render them unconscious first. The stone is then visible to the doctor thanks to the little tube put into the bladder with a camera. The stone is then broken into tiny pieces by a laser, ultrasound, or other tools before being flushed from the bladder.
- Surgical removal Sometimes bladder stones are too large or difficult to remove. In some cases, the doctor will operate to remove the bladder stones. If the enlarged prostate or blocked bladder outlet is the cause of the bladder stones, you will need to have surgery to address these issues simultaneously with the bladder stones.
Bladder Stones Dos and Don’ts
Making these healthy lifestyle choices may help ease certain Bladder Stones symptoms. Follow its do's and don'ts to control or lessen its effects.
| Do’s | Don’ts |
| Cut down on high-purine foods such as organ and meat | Consume alcohol |
| Avoid foods and drink high in oxalates and phosphates | Smoke |
| Drink plenty of fluids | Have fatty and oily foods |
| Follow a healthy diet plan | Have extra calcium supplements |
| Perform exercise | Have high salt intake |
Care at Medicover Hospitals
Medicover Hospitals is India's leading hospital, providing all urological treatments, including bladder stone removal, are carried out by Urologists at Medicover Hospital. Our urologists also assist with uro-oncology, pediatric urology, male infertility, genitourinary reconstruction,minimally invasive surgery such as robotic,laparoscopic, and endoscopic surgery, and kidney transplantation by working collaboratively with gynecologists,oncologists, and pediatricians to provide the best possible care and treatment to every patient.
