Bladder Stones – Overview
Bladder stones are hard masses of minerals that form inside the bladder when urine becomes concentrated, and substances like calcium or uric acid crystallise. They can vary in size and number, ranging from tiny granules to large, painful stones. Although more common in men over 50, it can affect women and children as well.
In South Africa, it’s are more frequently diagnosed in people with chronic urinary issues, poor hydration, or limited access to healthcare. In rural areas, late diagnosis is not uncommon due to symptom overlap with other conditions like urinary tract infections (UTIs) or prostate enlargement.
Bladder stones may be:
- Primary: Formed in the bladder itself due to stagnation of urine.
- Secondary: Resulting from stones that originated in the kidneys and passed into the bladder.
Typical symptoms include:
- Pain or burning during urination
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Interrupted urine flow (starting and stopping)
- Blood in the urine (haematuria)
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
- Lower abdominal pain or discomfort
- In severe cases, complete inability to urinate
Sometimes, small bladder stones may not cause symptoms and are only discovered during imaging for another condition.
Common causes:
- Bladder outlet obstruction (e.g., due to an enlarged prostate)
- Neurogenic bladder (nerve-related bladder dysfunction)
- Chronic urinary retention
- Bladder infections
- Foreign objects in the bladder (e.g., catheters or surgical mesh)
- Dehydration and poor fluid intake
Children in developing countries may develop this condition due to low protein diets, malnutrition, or vitamin deficiencies, although this is less common today.
Untreated it can lead to complications such as chronic bladder infections, bladder wall thickening, urinary incontinence, and even kidney damage if back pressure occurs.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent long-term complications and restore normal bladder function.
👉 [Next: Causes and Risk Factors of Bladder Stones]
