Bladder stones

Description

Bladder stones are hard masses of minerals in your bladder. They develop when the minerals in concentrated urine crystallize and form stones. This often happens when you have trouble completely emptying the bladder.

Small bladder stones may pass without treatment, but sometimes bladder stones need medications or surgery. Left untreated, bladder stones may lead to infections and other complications.

Symptoms

Sometimes bladder stones — even great — not to cause problems. But if a stone irritates the bladder wall or blocks the flow of urine, signs and symptoms may include:

  • Lower abdominal pain
  • Pain during urination
  • Frequent need to urinate
  • Difficulty urinating or interruption of the flow of urine
  • Blood in the urine
  • Cloudy or unusually dark colored urine

Causes

Bladder stones can develop when the bladder does not empty completely. This causes the urine to become concentrated urine. Concentration of the urine can crystallize and form stones.

Some infections can lead to bladder stones. Sometimes an underlying condition that affects the ability of the bladder to retain, store or remove the urine can result in the formation of stones in the bladder. Any foreign material present in the bladder tend to cause bladder stones.

The most common conditions that cause bladder stones are:

  • Prostate gland enlargement. An enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) can cause bladder stones in men. An enlarged prostate can block the flow of urine, preventing the bladder from emptying completely.
  • The damaged nerves. Normally, nerves carry messages from the brain to the muscles of the bladder, leading the bladder muscles to tighten or release. If these nerves are damaged, a stroke, spinal cord injury or other health problem — the bladder does not empty completely. This is known as neurogenic bladder.

Other potential causes of bladder stones are:

  • Inflammation. Inflammation of the bladder, often caused by urinary tract infections or radiation therapy to the pelvis, which can lead to bladder stones.
  • Medical devices. Bladder catheters — thin tubes inserted through the urethra to help urine to drain out of the bladder can cause bladder stones. So can the objects that accidentally migrate to the bladder, such as a contraceptive or urinary stent. Crystals minerals, which is later converted to stones tend to form on the surface of these devices.
  • Stones in the kidney. The stones that form in the kidneys are not the same stones in the bladder. Develop in different ways. But the small stones in the kidney can travel through the ureters into the bladder, and, if it is not removed, it can grow on stones in the bladder.

Risk factors

Men, especially those older than 50 years, are more likely to have bladder stones.

Conditions that may increase the risk of stones in the bladder are:

  • An obstruction. Any condition that blocks the flow of urine from the bladder into the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body — can lead to the formation of stones in the bladder. There are a number of causes, but the most common is an enlargement of the prostate.
  • Damage to the nerves. Stroke, spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, a herniated disc, and a number of other problems that can cause damage to the nerves that control bladder function.

It is possible to have nerve damage and a condition that causes obstruction of the bladder outlet. Taking these together, it increases the risk of stones.

Complications

Bladder stones that do not pass — even those that do not cause symptoms can lead to complications, such as:

  • Chronic bladder problems. Untreated bladder stones can cause long-term urinary difficulties, such as pain or frequent need to urinate. Stones in the bladder can also lodge in the opening where the urine leaves the bladder to the urethra and block the flow of urine.
  • Infections of the urinary tract. Repeated bacterial infections in the urinary tract can be caused by stones in the bladder.

Prevention

Bladder stones are usually caused by an underlying condition that is difficult to avoid, but you can decrease your chances of stones in the bladder following these tips:

  • Tell your doctor about the unusual urinary symptoms. The early diagnosis and treatment of enlarged prostate or other urological condition can reduce your risk of developing bladder stones.
  • Drink plenty of fluids. Drink more fluids, especially water, can help prevent stones in the bladder due to which the fluid to dilute the concentration of minerals in your bladder. How much water you should drink depends on your age, size, health, and activity level. Ask your doctor what is an appropriate amount of liquid for you.

Bladder stones

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of bladder stones may include:

  • A physical exam. Your doctor is likely to feel the lower part of your abdomen to see if the bladder is enlarged (distended) or may perform a rectal exam to determine whether the prostate is enlarged. You'll also be able to talk about any urinary signs or symptoms that you're having.
  • A urine test. A sample of your urine may be collected and examined for microscopic amounts of blood, bacteria, and minerals crystallized. A urine test also looks for a urinary tract infection, which may cause or be the result of bladder stones.
  • Computed tomography. CT uses X-rays and computers to scan quickly and provide clear images of the inside of your body. CT can detect even small stones. It is one of the most sensitive tests for the identification of all types of stones in the bladder.
  • Ultrasound. This test uses sound waves that bounce off the organs and other structures in your body to create images that help to detect stones in the bladder.
  • X-ray. An x-ray of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder helps your doctor determine if you have stones in the bladder. Some types of stones that can't be seen in conventional x-rays, however.

Treatment

Drinking plenty of water can help a small stone, which pass in a natural way. However, due to the bladder stones are often caused by the difficulty in completely emptying the bladder, the excess of water may not be sufficient to make the stone pass.

Most of the times, you will need to have the stones removed. There are a couple of ways of doing this.

Breaking rocks apart

In a method, is given for the first time a medicine or general anesthesia to make you unconscious. After that, a small tube with a camera on the end is inserted into the bladder to allow the physician to view the stone. Then, a laser, ultrasound or other device to break the stone into small pieces, and flushes the bladder.

The surgical removal

Occasionally, bladder stones are great or too difficult to break. In these cases, your doctor will surgically remove the stones from the bladder.

If your bladder stones are the result of a blockage of the bladder outlet or an enlarged prostate, these problems must be treated at the same time that your bladder stones, usually with surgery.

Alternative medicine

There is No evidence that herbal remedies can break up stones in the bladder. These stones are very difficult and usually require a laser, ultrasound or other procedure for removal. Always consult with your doctor before taking any alternative medicine, therapy to make sure that it is safe and does not cause problems with other medicines that you are taking.

Preparing for your appointment

If you have signs and symptoms of stones in the bladder, it is likely that you see your primary care doctor first. Then, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in the treatment of disorders of the urinary tract (urologist).

What you can do

To prepare for your appointment, make a list of:

  • The symptoms you are experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to your condition
  • Key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes
  • All medications you are taking, as well as any vitamins or supplements

In addition:

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. Ask if there is something that you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
  • Ask a family member or friend to come with you. Someone who accompanies you may remember the information that you missed or forgot.

It is also a good idea to make a list of questions to ask your doctor. For stones in the bladder, some basic questions to ask include:

  • It is possible that my bladder stones may pass without treatment?
  • If not, do they have to be removed, and what is the best method?
  • What are the risks of the treatment you propose?
  • What will happen if the stones are not removed?
  • Is there any medication I can take to remove bladder stones?
  • How can I prevent them from returning?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions?
  • Are there restrictions in the diet should I follow?
  • The stones come back?
  • Do you have any printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?

Do not hesitate to ask additional questions that may arise during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you a series of questions, such as:

  • When did you begin experiencing symptoms?
  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • Have you had a fever or chills?
  • Nothing seems to improve the symptoms?
  • Does anything make your symptoms worse?
Symptoms and treatment of stones in the Bladder