Bladder Stones Overview
Learn About Bladder Stones
Bladder stones are hard buildups of minerals. These form in the urinary bladder.
Stones - bladder; Urinary tract stones; Bladder calculi
Bladder stones are most often caused by another urinary system problem, such as:
- Bladder diverticulum
- Blockage at the base of the bladder
- Enlarged prostate (BPH)
- Neurogenic bladder
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Incomplete emptying of the bladder
- Foreign objects in the bladder
Almost all bladder stones occur in men. Bladder stones are much less common than kidney stones.
Bladder stones may occur when urine in the bladder is concentrated. Materials in the urine form crystals. These may also result from foreign objects in the bladder.
Symptoms occur when the stone irritates the lining of the bladder. The stones may also block the flow of urine from the bladder.
Symptoms can include:
- Abdominal pain, pressure
- Abnormally colored or dark-colored urine
- Blood in the urine
- Difficulty urinating
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Inability to urinate except in certain positions
- Interruption of the urine stream
- Pain, discomfort in the penis
- Signs of UTI (such as fever, pain when urinating, and need to urinate often)
Loss of urine control may also occur with bladder stones.
You may be able to help small stones pass on their own. Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water or more per day will increase urination.
Your doctor (urologist) may remove stones that do not pass using a cystoscope. A small telescope will be passed through the urethra into the bladder. A laser or other device will be used to break up the stones and the pieces will be removed. Some stones may need to be removed using open surgery.
Medicines are rarely used to dissolve the stones.
Causes of bladder stones should be treated. Most commonly, bladder stones are seen with BPH or blockage at the base of the bladder. You may need surgery to remove the inside part of the prostate or to repair the bladder.
Central Vermont Medical Center Inc
John Horan is an Urologist in Berlin, Vermont. Dr. Horan has been practicing medicine for over 40 years and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Bladder Stones. His top areas of expertise are Enlarged Prostate (BPH), Balanitis, Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer, Ureteroscopy, and Prostatectomy. Dr. Horan is currently accepting new patients.
Central Vermont Medical Center Inc
Daniel Sackett is an Urologist in Barre, Vermont. Dr. Sackett and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Bladder Stones. His top areas of expertise are Ureterocele, Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma (UTUC), Scrotal Swelling, Ureteroscopy, and Prostatectomy. Dr. Sackett is currently accepting new patients.
University Of Vermont Medical Center Inc
Richard Grunert is an Urologist in Colchester, Vermont. Dr. Grunert and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Bladder Stones. His top areas of expertise are Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer, Urothelial Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Ureteroscopy, and Prostatectomy. Dr. Grunert is currently accepting new patients.
Most bladder stones pass on their own or can be removed. They do not cause permanent damage to the bladder. They may come back if the cause is not corrected.
Left untreated, stones may cause repeated UTIs. This can also cause permanent damage to the bladder or kidneys.
Contact your provider if you have symptoms of bladder stones.
Prompt treatment of a UTI or other urinary tract conditions may help prevent bladder stones.
Summary: The primary objective of this study is to assess the safety and effectiveness of Human Multigene Methylation Detection Kit (Fluorescent PCR Method) for help diagnose bladder cancer by comparing with clinical standard method (includes medical imaging (MRI, CT, etc.), cystoscopy, pathological examination).
Published Date: May 17, 2024
Published By: Sovrin M. Shah, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Ganpule AP, Desai MR. Lower urinary tract calculi. In: Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 95.
Germann CA. Urologic disorders. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 85.