Definition of Bladder Stones
Bladder calculi or Bladder Stones are stones formed from mineral deposits in the bladder. The size of bladder stones varies greatly and everyone is at risk for having bladder stones. But older men, usually older than 52, are more likely to have it, especially those with an enlarged prostate.
The urinary tract can be blocked by bladder stones. Blockage of the urinary tract can cause pain when urinating, and difficulty urinating or not being able to urinate at all.
Infections and other complications can occur if bladder stones are not treated. Usually, you need a doctor's help to remove bladder stones from the body. However, small bladder stones can pass along with urine.
Symptoms of Bladder Stones
Some symptoms are felt by the majority of bladder stone sufferers because the stone blocks the urinary tract or only injures the bladder wall. Some of the symptoms are:
- Pain when urinating.
- Blood in the urine.
- Urine looks more concentrated and dark.
- Difficulty urinating.
- The urge to urinate more frequently.
- Urination is not smooth or stuttering.
- The lower abdomen hurts.
- The penis feels uncomfortable or sore.
In children bladder stones, there are two additional symptoms of bladder stones: hard and painful erections that have nothing to do with sexual stimulation in boys and bedwetting.
If the size of the bladder stone can be small enough to pass along with the urine, sometimes bladder stones are asymptomatic. Immediately consult a doctor if you feel there is a change in the frequency of urination, blood in your urine, and strong pain in the abdomen.
Causes of Bladder Stones
The inability to excrete all urine from the bladder is the main cause of stone formation in the bladder. Minerals in the remaining urine in the bladder will settle and then harden and crystallize into stones. Several conditions cause bladder stones to form, namely:
Swelling. The formation of bladder stones can be triggered by swelling of the bladder. This swelling is caused by a urinary tract infection and radiation therapy in the pelvic area.
Prostate enlargement. The prostate gland in most men over the age of 50 will enlarge and compress the urinary tract and block the normal flow of urine from the bladder. This increases the risk of bladder stones forming.
cystocele. It occurs in women where one area of the bladder wall weakens or loosens and falls toward the vagina. This condition will trap the flow of urine so that urine settles to form bladder stones.
Medical devices. Urinary catheters or birth control devices can sometimes be the cause of the formation of bladder stones. Minerals in urine often crystallize on the surface of these medical devices.
Diet. The risk of bladder stones is higher when a diet high in fat, sugar, or salt is followed and the intake of vitamins A and B is low. Not drinking enough water can also increase the risk of bladder stones forming.
Bladder Nerve Damage. When the nerves controlling the bladder are damaged, urine may not be completely expelled from the body. This condition of nerve damage is known as a neurogenic bladder. This damage can result from a serious injury to the spine or from a neurological disease such as spina bifida.
Kidney stones. Because of the different formation processes, kidney stones are not the same as bladder stones. But usually, small kidney stones can go down into the bladder and become bladder stones.
Bladder diverticula. A condition in which a pouch forms in the bladder wall at birth. These additional bladders can also form as a result of infection or an enlarged prostate. This makes it difficult for people with bladder diverticula to empty urine and bladder stones form.
Bladder enlargement surgery. Five percent of people who have bladder enlargement surgery will develop bladder stones.
Bladder Stone Diagnosis
There are several ways that doctors can do to determine if a person has bladder stones, namely:
Spiral CT Scan. Considered the sharpest test for detecting bladder stones. Spiral CT scans can detect various types of bladder stones even small in size.
Physical examination. The doctor will examine the lower abdomen to see if the bladder is enlarged.
X-Ray Imaging. Using X-rays to examine the bladder can detect bladder stones, but some types of stones cannot be detected by X-rays. X-ray imaging can also be combined with an intravenous pyelogram, which uses an injection of a contrast compound into a vein. The contrast agent will flow into the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. This substance gives color to the urinary tract so that it can be seen on X-ray imaging.
Urine analysis. The doctor will ask for a sample of your urine and check the amount of blood, bacteria, and crystallized minerals. A urine test can also help detect urinary tract infections, which can be the cause of bladder stones.
Ultrasound. This test using sound waves can also help doctors determine the position of bladder stones.
Bladder Stone Treatment
If according to the diagnosis, the stone in your bladder is small enough, your doctor may suggest drinking 1200 milliliters of water a day. The goal is that the bladder stones are carried out by urine. However, if the size is large enough there are several medical actions that can be taken to remove bladder stones from the body.
The first is a cystolitholapaxy in which the doctor will crush the stone in the bladder into small pieces with a laser, ultrasound, or mechanical device. After the stone becomes small pieces, the doctor will remove it along with urine. Patients will be at risk of infection and injury to the bladder if using this procedure. The doctor will give antibiotics before the procedure begins to reduce the risk of infection.
The second is to do surgery. This surgical procedure is performed if the bladder stone is too large and too hard to be removed by cystolitholapaxy.
Ten percent of bladder stone surgery patients are at risk for complications of bladder and urethral infections. Generally, doctors will give antibiotics if symptoms of bladder and urethra infection appear.
Because plain water can dissolve mineral deposits in the bladder, it is advisable to drink plenty of mineral water to prevent the formation of bladder stones. Consult a doctor to find out the amount of adequate water consumption, because the amount of water depends on the size of the body, activity, age, and health level of each person.
