Did you know that bladder stones are a common problem? Over half a million people are treated for bladder stones each year in the United States. If you think you may have bladder stones, it is important to seek treatment right away. This blog post will discuss 10 symptoms of bladder stones and the treatments available.
What Are Bladder Stones?
Bladder stones are small, solid masses that form in the urinary bladder. Although they most commonly occur in adults, they can also affect children. In some cases, the stones may be as small as a grain of sand, while in others they can grow to the size of a golf ball.
10 Symptoms and Treatments of Bladder Stones
The most common symptom of bladder stones is pain in the lower abdomen or back. This pain may be constant or may only occur when urinating. Other symptoms may include:
- Pain when urinating
- Blood in the urine
- Throbbing pain in the lower abdomen
- Difficulty urinating
- Incontinence or pain in the urethra
- Frequent urination
- It takes longer to begin urinating
- Urinary urgency or incontinence
- Unusually dark or cloudy urineÂ
- Bad-smelling urine
If a bladder stone is large enough, it can block the urethra and prevent urine from leaving the body. This can lead to urinary retention, which can be painful and may cause difficulty urinating. If left untreated, urinary retention can lead to kidney damage.
Causes Of Bladder Stones
Bladder stones most commonly form when there is an imbalance in the levels of minerals in the urine. When these minerals come together, they form small crystals that can eventually grow into stones.
Other causes of bladder stones include kidney stones, which can move through the ureters and cause a blockage.
Neurogenic Bladder
The bladder may not empty if the nerves connecting the bladder and nervous system are damaged, as in a stroke or spinal injury.
Enlarged prostate
When the prostate is enlarged, it can press against the urethra, causing a blockage in urine flow and the accumulation of urine in the bladder.
Medical Devices
If catheters or other medical devices move into the bladder, they can cause bladder stones.
Bladder Inflammation
Bladder enlargement can be caused by urinary tract infections or radiation therapy.
Bladder Diverticula
Within the bladder, pouches can form. The pouches can hold urine and prevent the bladder from emptying if they grow large enough.
Cystocele
In people who have a vagina, the bladder wall can weaken and sink to the vagina. As a result, the movement of urine from the bladder may be affected.
Dehydration
Minerals can build up in the bladder instead of being diluted and removed through the urine if you don’t drink enough water.
Augmentation Cystoplasty
Some urine may remain in the bladder after this procedure, in which bowel tissue is attached to the bladder to enlarge it.
Treatment Bladder Stones
The treatment for bladder stones depends on their size and location. Smaller stones may be able to be passed through the urinary tract on their own, while larger stones may require surgery to remove them.
If bladder stones are causing pain or other symptoms, your doctor may recommend treatments to help relieve these.
Treatment options may include:
Drinking Plenty Of Fluids
This can help increase the amount of urine you produce and may help to flush out small stones.
Passing A Urinary Catheter
This is a thin tube that is inserted into the bladder to help drain urine.
Cystoscopy
This is a procedure in which a camera is inserted into the bladder through the urethra to look for stones. ·
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy
This is a procedure in which sound waves are used to break up large stones so that they can be passed through the urinary tract.
Surgery
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove large stones or those that do not respond to other treatments.
Prevention of Bladder Stones
There are several things you can do to help prevent the formation of bladder stones. These include:
Drinking Plenty Of Fluids
This helps to dilute the concentration of minerals in your urine and may help to prevent stones from forming.
Eating A Healthy Diet
A diet that is low in animal protein and high in fiber can help reduce the risk of bladder stones.
Avoiding Dehydration
Dehydration can increase the risk of stone formation, so it is important to drink enough fluids during hot weather or when you are ill.
Avoid Foods That Can Promote Stone Formation
These include foods high in oxalate, such as spinach and chocolate.
Taking Medications
If you are at risk of stone formation, your doctor may prescribe medications to help prevent stones from forming.
Bladder stones are a relatively common problem, but they can be painful and cause other symptoms. If you think you may have bladder stones, see your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment.
Risk factors Of Bladder Stones
Several factors can increase your risk of developing bladder stones, including:
- A history of kidney stones
- Urinary tract infections
- A blockage in the urinary tract, such as an enlarged prostate or a birth defect
- Increased calcium in the urine (hypercalciuria)
- Increased uric acid in the urine (hyperuricosuria)
Complications
Bladder stones that just don’t pass, even if they don’t cause symptoms, can cause problems, including:
Chronic Bladder Problems
Bladder stones that go untreated can lead to long-term urinary problems like frequent urination and pain. Bladder stones can also obstruct urine flow by becoming lodged in the opening in which urine exits the bladder and reaches the urethra.
Urinary Tract Infections
Bladder stones can cause recurrent bacterial infections in the urinary tract.
