Bladder Stone: Symptoms, Causes And Treatment

1. Bladder Stone: Symptoms, Causes And Treatment Solid mineral masses in the bladder are known as bladder stones. These minerals solidify and become hard in concentrated urine and solidify to form stones. This phenomenon usually occurs when the bladder is left with residual urine repeatedly. Small bladder stones may dissolve on their own, while larger bladder stones can require medicine or surgery. Bladder stones can cause infections and other problems if they are not treated. To impart basic knowledge on bladder stones and their related aspects, the best urologist in Delhi, Dr. Niren Rao of Delhi Urology Hospital, has provided detailed information on their symptoms, causes, and treatments. What are the Symptoms of Bladder Stones? The following symptoms could be caused by them, depending on their size: •Pain or discomfort while passing urine •Haematouria or blood in the urine •Increase in frequency of urination •The individual may observe that their urine stream abruptly ceases or becomes poor as a result of the blockage of the bladder opening. This occurs when a tiny bladder stone lodges in the urethra.

2. •Urination with a foul smell linked with a fever, due to infection. •Passing cloudy or dark coloured urine What are the Causes of Bladder Stones? Bladder stone formation can occasionally be caused by an underlying problem that impairs the bladder’s capacity to contain, store, or remove urine. Bladder stones are typically caused by foreign objects that are present in the bladder. The most common causes include- •Enlargement of the prostate gland: Men who have BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia, may develop bladder stones. Urine flow obstruction can be caused by an enlarged prostate that might prevent the bladder from emptying completely. •Damage to the nerves: Normally, nerves send instructions from the brain to the bladder muscles, informing them to contract or relax. The bladder might not be emptied if these nerves are injured due to a stroke or injury to the spinal cord. This is called neurogenic bladder, another medical condition. •Inflammation or swelling: Bladder inflammation can result in bladder stones and is occasionally brought on by uTIs or chemotherapy to the pelvic region. •Medical devices: Bladder stones may develop as a result of bladder catheters, which are thin tubes that are put via the urethra to facilitate urine drainage. The same is possible for anything that accidentally moves to the bladder, like a urinary stent or a contraceptive device. Minerals tend to crystallize and eventually turn into stones on the surface of these devices. •Kidney stones: They differ from bladder stones in several ways. However, little kidney stones may pass through the ureters and into the bladder, where they may develop into bladder stones if they are not removed. How are Bladder Stones Diagnosed? Dr. Niren Rao, the best Bladder Stone Specialist in Delhi, advises his patients to undergo a number of tests to identify a bladder stone depending on the symptoms and signs, including: •X-ray KUB: A simple test that can be used to identify bladder stones. •Ultrasound: The location of stones, the size of the prostate, and the health of the kidneys can all be determined by ultrasound. •NCCT KUB: It identifies the precise size and position of kidney and bladder stones as well, and Hounsfield units can be used to determine the stone’s hardness. •Uroflowmetry: Before choosing to conduct surgery to remove bladder stones, uroflowmetry is used to check the narrowing of the urethral tract.

3. •Urine routine/microscopy and urine culture test: Before deciding on any surgical procedure for the treatment of bladder stones, it is essential to rule out infection with these examinations. How can Bladder Stones be Treated? Depending on the diameter of the stone and the patient’s age, there are several ways to treat bladder stones. •Transurethral Cystolithocapaxy: In this procedure, a tiny tube called a cystoscope which has a camera on one end, is inserted into the bladder through the urinary tract. The stone is detected and broken into smaller pieces using a laser or pneumatic lithoclast. The bladder is then cleansed of these little pieces. •Percutaneous Cystolithotomy PCCL: A tiny transurethral incision (about 1–2 cm) is made in the lower abdomen wall near the bladder under endoscopic monitoring. Next, the bladder is penetrated using a different telescope called a nephoscope to examine the stones, break them up into tiny pieces, and finally remove them. This is typically done for extremely huge stones. •Open Cystolithotomy: An open surgical procedure is done to extract stones in cases involving young children to protect their urethra and in elderly patients with particularly big prostates. This procedure involves making a tiny incision through the epidermis and into the bladder. After the stone is removed, the bladder is sewn back together. What happens After the Bladder Stone Surgery? •Post-surgery, a catheter is placed in the bladder and usually stays there for between 24 and 48 hours. •Some individuals may experience light pink urine for a couple of days. They shouldn’t panic over this. •For 5–7 days following surgery, antibiotics are administered to prevent infections. •After the catheter is removed, the patient might urinate less frequently and feel some burning while passing pee for a few days. How Can Bladder Stones be Prevented? Although it’s difficult to avoid the underlying problem that leads to bladder stones, one can lessen the risk by using the following advice-

4. •Notify the doctor of any unusual urinary symptoms: The chance of acquiring bladder stones may be lower if one gets examinations for enlarged prostate or other urologic conditions and receives treatment quickly. •Staying hydrated: Fluids decrease the concentration of minerals in the bladder, and consuming more liquids, especially water, may help in preventing bladder stones. Based on one’s age, weight, health, and intensity of exercise, one should drink a certain amount of water daily. If one is facing any of the above-described symptoms or is ignoring these signs, it is highly advisable to get examined by a urologist immediately. One can visit Delhi Urology Hospital to learn about Bladder Stone Surgery in Delhi. Additionally, get consulted by the expert doctor, Dr. Niren Rao. He is a renowned urologist and has 18 years of experience in these fields. One can also get consulted for treatments such as prostate cancer, kidney cancer, ureteric stone, kidney stone, UTIs, etc. To learn more about these procedures, consult the expert urologist at Delhi Urology Hospital.