Stones - bladder
Key points
- Bladder stones are hard buildups of mineral that form in the urinary bladder.
- Bladder stones are usually the result of another urologic problem such as urinary tract infection, bladder diverticulum, neurogenic bladder, or an enlarged prostate.
- Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water or more per day, enough to increase urinary output, may help the stones pass.
- Most bladder stones are expelled or can be removed without permanent damage to the bladder.
Alternative names
Bladder stones; Urinary tract stones; Bladder calculi
Definition
Bladder stones are hard buildups of mineral that form in the urinary bladder.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Bladder stones are usually the result of another urologic problem such as urinary tract infection, bladder diverticulum, neurogenic bladder, or an enlarged prostate. Approximately 95% of all bladder stones occur in men. Stones originating in the bladder are much less common than kidney stones.
Bladder stones may occur when urine in the bladder is concentrated and materials crystallize. The patient feels symptoms when the lining of the bladder is irritated by the stone or when the stone obstructs the flow of urine from the bladder.
Symptoms
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Interruption of the urine stream
- Difficulty urinating
- Inability to urinate except in certain positions
- Blood in the urine
- Abdominal pain, pressure
- Pain, discomfort in the penis
- Abnormally colored or dark-colored urine
- Urinary tract infection
o Dysuria (painful urination)
o Urinary urgency
o Fever
Incontinence may also be associated with bladder stones.
Signs and tests
- Physical examination, including rectal examination, may reveal enlarged prostate or other urologic conditions.
- Urinalysis may show blood or may indicate infection.
- Urine culture (clean catch) may reveal infection.
- Bladder or pelvic x-ray may show the presence of stones.
Treatment
Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water or more per day, enough to increase urinary output, may help the stones pass.
Stones that are not excreted spontaneously may be removed by your 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 removed using open surgery.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) may be an alternative to surgery. In this treatment, ultrasonic waves break up stones so that they may be expelled in the urine.
Frequently asked questions
What is stones?
Bladder stones are hard buildups of mineral that form in the urinary bladder.
What are the risk factors for stones?
Bladder stones are usually the result of another urologic problem such as urinary tract infection, bladder diverticulum, neurogenic bladder, or an enlarged prostate. Approximately 95% of all bladder stones occur in men. Stones originating in the bladder are much less common than kidney stones. Bladder stones may occur when urine in the bladder is concentrated and materials crystallize. The patient feels symptoms when the lining of the bladder is irritated by the stone or when the stone obstructs the flow of urine from the bladder.
What are the symptoms of stones?
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Interruption of the urine stream
- Difficulty urinating
- Inability to urinate except in certain positions
- Blood in the urine
- Abdominal pain, pressure
- Pain, discomfort in the penis
- Abnormally colored or dark-colored urine
- Urinary tract infection o Dysuria (painful urination) o Urinary urgency o Fever Incontinence may also be associated with bladder stones.
How is stones treated?
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.