Bladder Stones Treatment in Mumbai, India

Bladder stones are crystallized minerals from hardened concentrated urine in the bladder. If untreated, these stones can block the passage in the urinary bladder (urine reservoir) and cause difficulty and pain during urination. 

Fortunately, most bladder stones don't require invasive treatment and can be treated with dietary and lifestyle modifications. However, large bladder stones causing persistent symptoms may require more extensive treatments.

Associated Anatomy

Bladder, urinary tract, urethra, and prostate 

Alternate names of Bladder Stones

Bladder stones are also called Vesical calculus or cystoliths.

Bladder Stones Causes

Bladder stones often have no definite cause; sometimes, underlying health conditions may cause urine to stay longer in the bladder, which eventually causes urine to crystallize into bladder stones. 

Some common factors contributing to the development of bladder stones include:

• Infection: Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) are among the most common causes of bladder stones. Bacterial and parasitic infections can cause inflammation in the bladder, blocking urine flow.
• Nerve Damage: Damage in the nerves carrying signals to the bladder can affect the proper functioning of the bladder. This can lead to improper urine draining in the bladder and consequently bladder stones.
• Bladder Surgery: A bladder surgery can sometimes cause damage to the nerves supporting the bladder. This may cause improper emptying of urine in the bladder, resulting in urine concentration to bladder stones.
• Dehydration: Certain factors like diet, water consumption, and taking certain medicines can increase the risk of developing bladder stones. 
• Kidney Stones: Smaller kidney stones can travel from the kidney to the bladder and cause urinary obstruction.
• Incomplete Emptying of Urine in The Bladder: Urine can get exceedingly concentrated if your urinary bladder isn’t emptying entirely or frequently enough, which can lead to bladder stone formation.

Bladder Stones Symptoms

Early-stage or smaller bladder stones rarely cause any symptoms. However, if a bladder stone lodges in the lining of the bladder and causes a blockage, the following symptoms may occur:

• Radiating pain in the lower abdomen. 
• Hematuria - discharge of blood in the urine.
• Frequent urination.
• Dark colour urine.
• Pain or discomfort in urination.
• Urinary incontinence- loss of urine control.
• There are signs of urinary tract infections such as fever, nausea, and abdominal swelling.

Bladder Stones Treatment

Treatment for bladder stones usually depends on several factors such as the size, location of the bladder stones, patient’s overall health condition, and severity of diseases.

In most cases, smaller stones dissolve independently without the need for invasive treatment. Instead, doctors often suggest dietary and lifestyle modifications to let the stone pass without surgery. 

However, for larger stones causing blocks in the urinary tract, one or a combination of the following treatments are recommended:

• Medication: Certain muscle relaxants and alkalinizing medicines such as Tamsulosin, and potassium citrate (Urocit K) are commonly used to regulate the uric acid level and relax the ureter (the tube carrying urine from the kidney to the bladder), making it easier for stones to pass.
• Shock Wave Lithotripsy: In this procedure, high-energy sound waves blast larger stones into smaller fragments, which can then pass out through urine. 
• Surgery: Surgery for bladder stones is considered a final option and is typically performed only if the bladder stones fail to pass by other conventional treatments or if the stones affect kidney function.  

Bladder Stones Risk Factors

A variety of factors can increase the risk of developing bladder stones, including:

• Age and Gender: Males aged 50 and older are more likely to develop bladder stones.
• Nerve Damage: Spinal cord injuries, stroke,  diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and several other conditions can cause nerve damage that controls bladder function.
• Obesity: Excess body weight can put high pressure on the bladder, affecting the bladder's proper functioning.

Bladder Stones Complications

The possible complications of bladder stones are as follows:

• Obstruction in the urinary tract.
• Chronic bladder dysfunction can occur, when the bladder losses its function of excreting urine out of the body.
• Bleeding and painful urination.
• Worsening of the signs and multiple stone formations.

Test for Detecting Bladder Stones

The doctor may use imaging or laboratory tests to diagnose bladder stones, including:

• Physical Examination: The doctor likely accesses the lower abdomen to check for signs of bladder stones. 
• Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: Doctors use CT scans for diagnosing bladder stones. The doctor uses this test to visualize the urinary tract and track any obstructions.
• Urine Test: Doctors also analyze levels of minerals in the urine. Abnormal or elevated mineral levels in the urine may help indicate bladder-related problems.

Bladder Stones Prevention

Since this is a lifestyle and dietary disease, primary prevention involves lifestyle modifications: 

• Stay Hydrated: Water may help flush out tiny stones in the bladder. Also, it helps dilute concentrated minerals in the bladder, which forms bladder stones.
• Regular Screening of electrodes in the urine can help keep the mineral formation – which becomes stones – under control. 

Measures to Prevent Recurrence of Bladder Stones After Treatment

The following actions may help prevent the recurrence of bladder stones after treatment:

• Limit salt consumption.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Quit smoking.
• Consult a dietitian for a better diet plan.
• Avoid carbonated drinks and packed items.
• Take prescribed medicine regularly as instructed.
• If overweight or obese, try to reduce weight.
• Don't neglect any signs of bladder stones after treatment, consult a professional for assistance.

Epidemiology of Bladder Stones

These are some epidemiological data on bladder stones:

• Bladder stones are a global condition affecting all geographical regions.
• The incidence rate of cystoliths (bladder stones) differs from an individual country's geographical area. 
• The recurrence rate of bladder stones in patients after the 1st-time occurrence is high and is in the range of 40–50%.

Bladder Stones Prognosis

Expected Prognosis

Fortunately, early detection techniques and modern treatment procedures have made it easy to treat complicated bladder stones. In most cases, the treated patients can live healthy lives.

Natural Progression

Like any other disease condition, if left untreated, bladder stones can cause long-term complications in the urinary tract, including UTI, renal damage to potentially life-threatening kidney failures.

Pathophysiology

Bladder stones are usually formed due to the crystallization of mineral deposits in the bladder. Due to improper emptying of the bladder,  the urine accumulates into small stones, leading to urinary tract infections and other related complications. 

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