It is often said that knowledge is power. It is quite relevant in many senses including the one that is concerned with medical and healthcare issue such as bladder stones. The more knowledge you accumulate regarding bladder stones, the more it would be able to deal with it. Dr. Anshuman Agarwal - Senior Consultant Urology & Robotic Surgery, reiterates that most patients have very little knowledge about bladder stone. As a result, the problem of bladder stones keep developing inside them without showing any significant sign or symptom initially. They only come to know about it when the condition has worsened a lot. He further adds that even a common person should know about what is bladder stone and how should it be treated.
What is bladder stones
Bladder stones are also called vesical calculus. The stones in our bladder are formed when the minerals accumulated in the bladder. Bladder stones are hard little masses made up of minerals present in our urine. Nowadays, it may be found in any age or gender without any bias. Often it does not cause any prominent symptom and pass out from our body naturally through urine. Nevertheless, the presence of large stones does cause excruciating pain or other problems when you urinate.
They are found when an X-ray is performed for a different medical reason. The bladder stones can be of different size and shape. Some of them are almost spherical while others may be irregular in shapes. There might be one, more than one or group of stones develop in the bladder.
Cause
The primary job of the bladder is to collect urine from kidneys and then eliminate it when you pee it out. After you urinate, the bladder gets empty. However, due to some health issue or other underlying condition the bladder ability to hold, store and eliminate urine is affected and you end up with urine left in your bladder. Consequently, the urine becomes concentrated urine which later crystallizes and forms stones. Two most common issues that can potentially prevent your bladder from emptying are:
• Prostate gland enlargement
• Damaged nerve
Some other causes of bladder stones may include:
• Bladder augmentation surgery
• Kidney stones
• Bladder inflammation
• Bladder diverticula
• Cystocele
• Diet
• Medical devices
Symptoms
Sometimes bladder stones (even the large stones) does not cause any problem. However, when the presence of stone irritates the wall of the bladder or block the flow of the urine, it creates some signs and symptoms that may include as such below:
• Burning or pain during urination
• Blood in your urine
• Pain in your penis and testicles
• Urge to urinate more often or start-stop flow
• Pain in the lower abdomen
• Starting a stream during urination takes longer
• Cloudy or dark urine
Diagnosis and tests
The doctor may conduct the following diagnosis or tests:
• Urine test
• Cystoscopy
• Imaging
Treatment for bladder stones
If the size of the bladder stones is quite small, it can be drained out of the bladder by drinking a lot of water. Drinking plenty of water will help the stones to get pass through on their own. But you must remember that if you are not able to empty your bladder, it may not work for you.
On the other hand, if the size of the bladder is too large that it cannot pass in the urine, the treatment for bladder stones may include either breaking them up or eliminating them with the help of the surgery.
Breaking-up approach to remove the bladder stone
This procedure of breaking up of bladder stone is known as cystolitholapaxy. It is performed under the influence of anesthesia. During the procedure, the doctor inserts a thin tube that has a camera on the end. It is inserted into the urethra from where the doctor can view the stones through the tube with the help of the attached camera and then break them up into small fragment. The doctor utilizes laser, ultrasound, or a small implement to break bladder stones before washing them away.
Dr. Anshuman Agarwal says that the chances of complications during cystolitholapaxy are rare. However, if it occurs, it may include infections and tears in the bladder wall.
Surgical removal of bladder stones
Surgery to remove the bladder stones is conducted if the size of the stone is too large to remove with cystolitholapaxy. During the surgery, the surgeon makes access to the bladder through a cut in the abdomen and then removes the bladder stones. The surgery procedure may include some risk as well. Dr. Anshuman Agarwal is extensively experienced in performing bladder stones surgery.
Prevention
As a matter of fact, the problem of bladder stones is caused by underlying conditions. Notwithstanding, you can reduce the possibility of bladder stones by following some preventive measures, such as drinking plenty of water and fluids and consulting the doctor immediately when any unusual urinary symptoms occur.