Bladder Stones

Kidney stones, also known as bladder stones, are solid clumps of minerals that form in your bladder. These clumps happen when minerals in your urine become concentrated and start to crystallize, kind of like how salt forms crystals from a salty solution. This often occurs when your bladder doesn't fully empty each time you urinate.

Sometimes, small bladder stones can pass on their own. However, larger stones or those causing problems might require medicine or a minor surgical procedure to remove them. If left untreated, bladder stones can lead to infections in your urinary tract, pain, and other health issues. This is why it's important to see a doctor if you think you might have bladder stones.

Sometimes, bladder stones, even big ones, don't cause any noticeable problems. However, if a stone rubs against the lining of your bladder or blocks the passage of urine, you might experience some symptoms. These include:

• Lower belly pain: A dull ache or sharp pain in the lower part of your stomach.
• Painful urination: Discomfort or pain while you pee.
• Frequent urination: Needing to pee more often than usual. This could be a lot more trips to the bathroom, even in short periods of time.
• Problems urinating: Having trouble starting your urine stream, or feeling like your urine flow is stopping and starting. This could also mean it takes longer to empty your bladder.
• Blood in your urine: Seeing red or pink-tinged urine.
• Cloudy or dark urine: Urine that looks cloudy or unusually dark in color. This can sometimes look like it's been stained.

Bladder stones happen when your bladder doesn't empty properly. This leaves urine sitting in the bladder, and the urine becomes very concentrated. This concentrated urine can turn into crystals, which clump together to form stones.

Several things can lead to bladder stones. Sometimes, a problem with your bladder's ability to work correctly—to empty, store, or hold urine—causes the stones to form. Even small bits of foreign material in the bladder can contribute to stone formation.

Here are some common causes:

• An Enlarged Prostate (BPH): In men, an enlarged prostate gland can block the flow of urine out of the bladder. This prevents the bladder from fully emptying, leading to concentrated urine and potential stone formation. Think of it like a blocked drain; the urine can't flow out properly.

• Damaged Nerves: Your brain tells your bladder muscles when to contract and release urine. If the nerves that carry these signals are damaged (from a stroke, spinal cord injury, or other conditions), the bladder may not empty completely. This is called a neurogenic bladder, and it can create conditions where stones develop.

Other possible causes include:

• Inflammation: Inflammation in the bladder, sometimes triggered by infections like a urinary tract infection (UTI) or radiation therapy to the pelvic area, can contribute to stone formation.

• Medical Devices: Medical tools like catheters (thin tubes inserted into the urethra to drain urine) can sometimes cause stones to form. Similarly, if something like a lost contraceptive device or a urinary stent ends up in the bladder, it can provide a surface for mineral crystals to collect and grow into stones.

• Kidney Stones: Kidney stones and bladder stones are different, though related. Kidney stones form in the kidneys and can travel down the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder (ureters). Small kidney stones that get stuck in the bladder can grow larger and become bladder stones.

Older men, particularly those over 50, are more prone to developing bladder stones. This is a condition where small, hard deposits form in the bladder.

Several factors can increase the risk of these stones:

• Blockages in the urinary system. If something is blocking the normal flow of urine from the bladder out of the body, it can lead to the formation of bladder stones. This blockage can be caused by various things, but a common culprit is an enlarged prostate gland. An enlarged prostate presses against the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body, making it harder for urine to flow freely. Other causes of blockage include kidney stones that travel down the urinary tract.

• Nerve problems affecting the bladder. Damage to the nerves that control bladder function can also raise the risk of bladder stones. Conditions like stroke, spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, herniated discs, and other nerve-related issues can disrupt the bladder's normal emptying process. When the nerves aren't working correctly, the bladder may not empty completely, leading to stagnant urine and a higher chance of stone formation.

• Combined problems. The risk is even higher if a man has both a blockage (like an enlarged prostate) and nerve damage affecting the bladder. These combined issues create a perfect storm for bladder stones. The blockage prevents proper emptying, and nerve damage further weakens the bladder's ability to contract and empty completely. This combination is a major contributor to stone development.

Kidney stones that stay in your bladder, even if they don't hurt, can cause problems.

• Ongoing bladder issues: If left untreated, bladder stones can cause constant urinary problems. This might mean more frequent trips to the bathroom, pain during urination, or difficulty emptying your bladder completely. The stones can also get stuck in the opening where urine leaves the bladder, blocking the flow.

• Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs): Bladder stones can create an environment where bacteria thrive, leading to more frequent urinary tract infections. These infections can cause pain, burning, and other unpleasant symptoms.

Bladder stones often develop due to an underlying health problem that's difficult to avoid entirely. However, you can lower your risk of getting them. Here are some helpful tips:

• Talk to your doctor about any unusual urination problems. If you notice changes like frequent urination, painful urination, or blood in your urine, tell your doctor right away. Early diagnosis and treatment of conditions like an enlarged prostate or other urinary issues can prevent bladder stones from forming. This early intervention is key to stopping the problems before they lead to stones.

• Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, can help. Fluids dilute the minerals in your urine, making it less likely that they'll clump together and form stones. The right amount of fluids for you depends on things like your age, size, health, and how active you are. It's best to talk to your doctor about the recommended amount of fluids for your specific needs. They can give you personalized advice.

Finding out if you have bladder stones might involve a few different tests.

Checking you out: Your doctor will likely examine your lower belly to see if your bladder is swollen. They might also check your prostate. They'll also ask about any problems you're having with your urination.

Peeing in a cup: A urine sample will be collected and looked at under a microscope. This helps check for tiny amounts of blood, germs, and mineral crystals. The urine test can also find a urinary tract infection (UTI), which sometimes causes or is caused by bladder stones.

Taking a peek inside: A CT scan uses X-rays and a computer to make detailed pictures of the inside of your body. This is a very good test for finding even tiny bladder stones. It's usually one of the best ways to see if you have bladder stones.

Sound waves: An ultrasound uses sound waves to create pictures of your organs. This can help spot bladder stones.

X-rays: An X-ray of your kidneys, ureters, and bladder can help your doctor see if you have bladder stones. However, some types of stones might not show up on a regular X-ray.

Drinking plenty of water might help small bladder stones pass on their own. However, since bladder stones often form because your bladder doesn't empty completely, just drinking more water might not always be enough.

Usually, you'll need to have the stones removed. There are different ways to do this.

One common method involves first giving you medicine to numb the area or putting you to sleep with general anesthesia. Then, a thin tube with a tiny camera on the end (a cystoscope) is carefully inserted into your bladder. This allows the doctor to see the stone. Next, a laser, ultrasound, or other special tool is used to break the stone into tiny pieces. These smaller pieces are then flushed out of your bladder.

Sometimes, the bladder stone is too big or hard to break up with these methods. If that happens, your doctor will perform surgery to remove the stone directly from your bladder.

If your bladder stones are caused by a blockage in the tube that drains your bladder (a bladder outlet obstruction) or by an enlarged prostate gland, these underlying problems need to be treated at the same time as the bladder stones. This is usually done with surgery.