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Bladder stones Causes and Risks:
Bladder stones are usually the result of another urologic problem such as urinary tract infection (see UTI , chronic or recurrent), bladder diverticulum, neurogenic bladder , or an enlarged prostate. 95% of all bladder stones occur in men. Stones that originate in the bladder are much less common than kidney stones .
Bladder stones may occur when urine in the bladder is concentrated and materials crystallize and precipitate . Symptoms occur when the lining of the bladder is irritated by the presence of the stone or when the stone obstructs the flow of urine out of the bladder.
Prevention:
Prompt treatment of urinary tract infections or other urologic conditions may help prevent bladder stones.
Symptoms:
Additional symptom that may be associated with this disease:
Signs and Tests:
Examination, including rectal examination, may reveal enlarged prostate or other urologic conditions.
Treatment:
Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water or more per day, enough to increase urinary output, may help the stones to pass.
Stones that are not excreted spontaneously may be removed by the health care provider using a cystoscope or a lithotripter (a small tube that passes through the urethra to the bladder). Some stones may need to be surgically removed.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy may be an alternative to surgery. In this treatment, ultrasonic waves (shock waves) break up stones so that they may be expelled in the urine.
Medications are rarely used to try to dissolve the stones.
Underlying causes of bladder stones should be treated.
Prognosis:
Most bladder stones are expelled or can be removed without permanent damage to the bladder. They may recur if the underlying cause is not corrected.
Complications:
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms indicate bladder stones may be present.
This is an illustration of the female urinary tract. The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra. The positioning in the body and relative size of the organs are also demonstrated.
This is an illustration of the male urinary tract. The female and male urinary tract are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra. The positioning and relative size of the organs are also shown.
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