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Treatment Of Urinary Bladder Stones
By peace | December 21, 2006
Most bladder stones can be, and are, passed out of the body in the urine without any permanent damage to the bladder or the rest of the urinary tract. However, most bladder stones arise from an underlying medical condition. Therefore, if this medical condition is not corrected approximately half of all patients will experience a recurrence of bladder stones within five years.
Bladder stones are usually the result of another urologic problem such as urinary tract infection , bladder diverticulum, neurogenic bladder , or an enlarged prostate . Approximately 95% of all bladder stones occur in men. Stones originating in the bladder are much less common than kidney stones .
Bladder stones may occur when urine in the bladder is concentrated and materials crystallize. The patient feels symptoms when the lining of the bladder is irritated by the stone or when the stone obstructs the flow of urine from the bladder.
Diagnosis Of Bladder Stones
Many tests can be used to identify what’s causing someone’s symptoms and whether a stone is present within the bladder. These include urine tests, blood tests, x-rays and ultrasound scans. A special type of test called intravenous urography is often used and provides a picture of the kidneys, ureters and bladder. This allows any stones and their location to be identified.
The diagnosis of bladder stones is usually made after a physical examination, which may include a rectal examination to check for enlargement of the prostate gland. If bladder stones are suspected, bladder or pelvic x-rays may be ordered. Stones that are large enough to cause problems with urinary function are almost always detectable by x- ray.
An examination for bladder stones includes x-rays and analysis of urine. The healthcare provider may ask for numerous urine samples to watch changes over the course of the day. A doctor might extract large stones with surgery. He or she might also break up large stones with shock waves or ultrasound. Urine tests and analysis of stone fragments help providers decide on the right therapy and dietary changes. If there is no medical treatment after surgery, stones recur in about half of patients within 5 years.
Treatment Of Bladder Stones
Many bladder stones can be passed out of the body in the urine. People with small bladder stones will be asked to increase their fluid intakes to at least six to eight eight-ounce glasses of water per day to increase urinary output. If the stones do not pass after two weeks, or if the patient’s symptoms become worse, further medical treatment may be required.
A large bladder stone, or small stone that the patient cannot pass in the urine, may be broken up into smaller stones using ultrasound (shock waves). These smaller stones may then pass in the urine. Stones that cannot be broken into pieces by these methods, or that the patient cannot pass, may have to be surgically removed.
Sometimes cystoscopy is performed to examine the inside of the bladder. During this process a fibre-optic camera, called a cystoscope, is inserted into the bladder via the urethra. Any bladder stones can usually be broken up during this procedure, and then washed out.
Stones can also be broken up into pieces small enough to allow them to pass out in the urine using a special type of ultrasound called lithotripsy. If the stones are too large to be removed by these methods, surgical removal becomes necessary.
Since bladder stones can often recur, it’s important to reduce the chances of this happening to a minimum. This means drinking plenty of fluid every day, and ensuring that any underlying medical conditions, such as gout, are treated appropriately
Traditional herbal remedies for bladder stones include celery seed and horsetail. Also, because incomplete bladder emptying may cause bladder stones, many patients may benefit from methods and remedies aimed at improving overall bladder function. These include Kegel exercises, which are used to strengthen the muscles involved in urination; herbal supplements (cornsilk, hydrangea, juniper berries, parsley, and uva ursi) used to increase urine flow and flush out sediment from the bladder; and, the consumption of cranberry juice and/or fresh, unsweetened, lemon juice. Cranberry juice helps to control urinary tract infection and contains a chemical that coats the walls of the bladder, making them more resistant to infection. Lemon juice helps to flush out the urinary system.
Prevention Of Bladder Stones
Bladder stones may, in some cases, be prevented by the patient receiving prompt medical treatment for an enlarged prostate gland or urinary tract infection. The consumption of at least six to eight eight-ounce glasses of water per day and/or the regular consumption of cranberry juice may help to prevent recurrences of bladder stones.
It is important to drink plenty of water to flush out the urinary system. Reducing calcium in the diet only benefits patients with one specific type of stone. Dietary changes that may help include eating more bran and less calcium and protein. Physical activity may help prevent stones. Certain genetic factors may contribute to having bladder stones. Gout, hormone imbalance, urinary infections, or urinary obstruction are other possible factors.
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