Bladder Stones
Bladder stones are hard buildups of minerals that form in the urinary bladder.
Causes
Bladder stones are generally caused by other urinary system problems, such as the following:
- Bladder diverticulum
- Blockage at the base of the bladder
- Enlarged prostate
- Neurogenic bladder
- Urinary tract infection
- Incomplete emptying of the bladder
- Foreign objects in the bladder
Other causes may include when urine in the bladder is concentrated and materials in the urine form crystals.
Symptoms
When the stone irritates the lining of the bladder and/or blocks the flow of urine from the bladder, symptoms may include the following:
- Abdominal pain or 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 or discomfort in the penis
- Signs of UTI (such as fever, pain when urinating and need to urinate often)
- Loss of urine
Tests
Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and may order the following tests:
- Bladder or pelvis X-ray
- Cystoscopy: the use of a fiberoptic camera to view the inside of the bladder and urethra to find causes of bleeding or blockage or any abnormalities of the bladder and its lining
- Urinalysis
- Urine culture
- Abdominal ultrasound or CT scan
Treatment
Most bladder stones pass on their own or can be removed. Your provider may advise you to drink more water to increase urination.