Causes and Risk Factors of Bladder Stones
Bladder stones develop when urine in the bladder becomes stagnant or overly concentrated, causing minerals to crystallise and clump together. The resulting stones may remain in the bladder, grow larger over time, or cause irritation and blockage. Learn more about the causes and risk factors of bladder stones below
Key causes and risk factors:
- Bladder outlet obstruction
- Most common in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostate cancer, where an enlarged prostate blocks the flow of urine.
- The bladder cannot empty fully, allowing minerals to collect.
- Neurogenic bladder
- Nerve damage from spinal cord injuries, diabetes, or neurological diseases (like multiple sclerosis) may interfere with bladder control.
- Inability to completely void the bladder increases risk.
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Chronic UTIs can alter urine pH, leading to crystal formation and infection-based stone development (struvite stones).
- Chronic UTIs can alter urine pH, leading to crystal formation and infection-based stone development (struvite stones).
- Foreign bodies in the bladder
- Long-term use of urinary catheters, surgical mesh, or retained medical devices can act as a surface for minerals to crystallise.
- Long-term use of urinary catheters, surgical mesh, or retained medical devices can act as a surface for minerals to crystallise.
- Bladder diverticula
- Pouches in the bladder wall where urine collects and stagnates, increasing the likelihood of stone formation.
- Pouches in the bladder wall where urine collects and stagnates, increasing the likelihood of stone formation.
- Kidney stones passing into the bladder
- Occasionally, renal stones travel down into the bladder and become stuck or grow further.
- Occasionally, renal stones travel down into the bladder and become stuck or grow further.
- Dehydration
- Insufficient fluid intake results in concentrated urine, raising the chances of stone formation.
- Insufficient fluid intake results in concentrated urine, raising the chances of stone formation.
- Dietary factors
- Diets low in protein and phosphate or high in oxalates (found in spinach, chocolate, nuts) can contribute.
- In South Africa, this is more likely to affect children in low-income, malnourished settings.
- Post-menopausal women or elderly patients
- With age, bladder tone decreases, and voiding becomes less efficient, creating an environment where stones can form.
- With age, bladder tone decreases, and voiding becomes less efficient, creating an environment where stones can form.
- Past bladder surgeries or conditions
- Prior operations or underlying conditions like bladder augmentation or cystocele can lead to incomplete voiding.
Causes and Risk Factors of Bladder Stones
While many of these factors relate to bladder function, others are systemic or environmental. Addressing the underlying cause is critical to preventing recurrence.
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