Urinary stones can occur anywhere in the urinary tract which includes the kidneys, urethra, bladder, and ureter. When speaking of stones, the average person presumes the affected organs to be kidneys. However, another common organ affected by urinary stones is the bladder. The incidence of bladder stones is considerably high. In this article, Dr Shalabh Agrawal, the best urologist in Gurgaon, explores the prevention and management measures of bladder stones.
You can avail of comprehensive treatments for bladder stones at the CK Birla Hospital, the best hospital for bladder stones in Gurgaon.
Before we offer you tips to prevent bladder stones, let us grasp a quick understanding of this condition.
What are bladder stones made of?
As the name denotes, bladder stones occur in the bladder. They are hard deposits of minerals that form when small amounts of urine remain inside. Urine minerals residual can get collected inside the bladder when it is not emptied entirely. These minerals can further crystalize and take the form of hard lumps.
If you have bladder stones, you are likely to experience:
- Pain in the lower abdomen region
- Painful urination
- A frequent urge to urinate
- Interruption in urine passage
- Presence of blood in the urine
- Cloudy or dark-colored urine
You can consult Dr. Mayank Madan, the best general surgeon in Gurgaon for a detailed investigation if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms.
How are bladder stones managed?
Several factors contribute to the management of bladder stones. The first step is to draw an accurate diagnosis to determine the right approach to treatment.
Tests done to diagnose bladder stones include:
Physical checkup – Your healthcare provider will evaluate the condition of your bladder manually. He/she will feel your lower abdomen to assess if your bladder has enlarged or not. During the physical exam, your doctor will also ask you a range of questions regarding your symptoms.
Urine test – You will be asked to submit a sample of your urine collection. Your skilled technicians will analyze the components of your urine such as blood, bacteria, crystallized minerals, and more.
Imaging tests such as ultrasounds, X-rays, CT scans may also be indicated to see the location and size of the bladder stones.
Management of bladder stones
The treatment of each patient is unique. It depends upon the size of the stone, the severity of symptoms, the age, and the overall health of the patient.
A small-sized bladder stone may pass naturally through urine. In such cases, your healthcare provider will ask you to drink plenty of water. However, there is a possibility that the extra amount of water may also not be emptied from the bladder and thus, stone treatment may not be successful.
The ideal treatment of bladder stones is surgical removal. Your surgeon will make an incision on your abdomen to access the bladder and the stones. He/she may break the large stones and then remove pieces. Various other procedures are available for bladder stone removal including open cystostomy, percutaneous suprapubic cystolitholapaxy and transurethral cystolitholapaxy.
How to prevent bladder stones?
While there is not much you can do to prevent bladder stones, you can largely lower your risk for this condition.
Here are some measures you can take to stay clear of bladder stones:
- Drink plenty of fluids, preferably water as water can help in the dilution of urine minerals
- Do not restain the urge to urinate, try to empty your bladder completely
- Eat a low-fat and high-protein diet
Seek urgent medical treatment if you are suffering from any underlying health conditions such as urinary tract infection or prostate enlargement.
To learn more about bladder stone treatment, consult Dr. Shalabh Agrawal, the best urologist in Gurgaon.