Urology Care

Bladder Stones Treatment in Delhi & Gurgaon

Understanding and Treating Mineral Deposits in the Bladder

Illustration showing bladder stone formation and location

What are bladder stones?

Bladder stones are hardened mineral clumps that form in your urinary bladder (the organ that holds your urine). They usually form when some urine (pee) stays in your bladder after you use the restroom.

You may not notice small bladder stones. They may leave your body when you pee without any symptoms. Larger bladder stones may be so painful that you may feel sick to your stomach, aren't able to pee and have other symptoms, such as bloody urine.

⚠️ Emergency Warning: Go to the nearest emergency room (ER) if you have bladder stone signs, including severe pain, difficulty peeing and other worsening symptoms.

Medical Term: Another name for bladder stones is bladder calculi.

How common are bladder stones?

Only about 5% of all stones that can develop in your urinary system are bladder stones.

This makes bladder stones relatively rare compared to kidney stones.

What are the symptoms of bladder stones?

You may pee out smaller bladder stones without any obvious symptoms. Large bladder stones can irritate your bladder and cause intense pain, bleeding and problems peeing.

Signs and symptoms of a larger bladder stone may include:

Changes in pee color: Your pee may look cloudy or dark. You may also see blood in your pee (hematuria).
Frequent urges to pee: You may feel like you always need to pee, even if you just went.
Pain: It's common to feel pain or a burning sensation when you pee (dysuria). You may also feel pain that comes and goes in the lower part of your abdomen (belly), penis or testicles.

Stopping and starting when you pee: You may have a difficult time starting to pee and maintaining a strong flow. Sometimes your pee stream stops and starts (urinary intermittency).
Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Bladder stones often cause UTIs. UTI symptoms include frequent, painful urination. Your pee may also be cloudy and smelly.

What are the common causes of bladder stones?

Bladder stones form when pee sits in your bladder too long. The waste products that leave your body — salt, potassium, protein waste products and so on — clump together (concentrate) and form hard crystals. This process most frequently happens when you can't completely empty your bladder when you pee.

Several conditions and factors increase your risk of bladder stones, including:

Augmentation cystoplasty (bladder augmentation): During this procedure, a surgeon uses tissue from your intestines to make your bladder larger. Sometimes this can cause pee to pool in your bladder.

Bladder diverticula: These are pockets or cave-like openings in your bladder that can hold pee and make it hard to completely empty your bladder.

Cystocele (dropped bladder): Some people develop this after childbirth, where the bladder drops into the vagina, blocking urine flow.

Dehydration: Not drinking enough fluids can cause minerals to build up and lead to bladder stones.

Enlarged prostate: In men, an enlarged prostate can partially block the urethra, making it difficult to completely empty the bladder.

Kidney stones: Sometimes, a kidney stone travels from your kidney into your bladder and gets stuck, growing larger.

Neurogenic bladder: Nerve damage affects how your bladder works, often requiring catheters that may not drain all pee completely.

Medical devices: Devices like catheters can cause bladder stones if they remain in your body longer than recommended.

How are bladder stones diagnosed?

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Medical Evaluation Process

A healthcare provider will review your medical history, ask questions about your symptoms, and conduct a physical examination. They may also order tests to help confirm a bladder stone diagnosis.

History Review

Review of medical history and risk factors

Symptom Assessment

Detailed questioning about symptoms

Physical Exam

Physical examination and diagnostic tests

How do I get rid of bladder stones?

Typically, a urologist must remove bladder stones. A urologist is a doctor who specializes in conditions that affect the urinary system and male and female reproductive systems.

Bladder stone treatment options typically include:

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Cystolitholapaxy

During this minimally invasive procedure, a provider inserts a cystoscope into your bladder through your urethra to locate the bladder stone. They then use a laser or high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to break the stone into smaller pieces. They then wash out your bladder with fluids to remove the smaller pieces.

Key Features: Minimally invasive, faster recovery, no external incisions

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Surgery

If your bladder stone is especially large, you may need open surgery to remove it. The urologist will use a sharp knife (scalpel) to make a small cut (incision) in your abdomen and take out the stone. If your stone develops because of benign prostate hyperplasia, the urologist may also remove prostate tissue that blocks your urethra.

Key Features: For large stones, may address underlying conditions like enlarged prostate

Prevention Strategies

Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help flush minerals from your bladder.

Empty Bladder Completely: Take time to fully empty your bladder when urinating.

Manage Underlying Conditions: Proper treatment of conditions like enlarged prostate or neurogenic bladder.

Follow Medical Device Guidelines: Use catheters and other devices only as recommended by your provider.

When to See a Doctor

Schedule an appointment if you have:

Persistent lower abdominal pain
Blood in your urine
Frequent UTIs
Difficulty urinating

Seek emergency care for:

Severe, unbearable pain
Inability to urinate at all
Fever with chills and urinary symptoms
Nausea and vomiting with urinary symptoms

Important Considerations

Bladder stones require proper medical evaluation and treatment. While small stones may pass on their own, larger stones typically need intervention. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications such as recurrent infections, bladder damage, and kidney problems. Always consult with a urologist for proper diagnosis and management tailored to your specific condition.