Bladder Stones Treatment

Bladder stones are crystal masses that form in the urinary tract and end up in the bladder.  Bladder stones are typically caused by another Urological problem and affect men more often than women.  Men comprise 95% of the patients with bladder stones.

The most common type of bladder stones are made of calcium oxalate.  Calcium oxalate bladder stones can be caused by and excessive amount of calcium in the blood or urine due to hormonal imbalances or if the kidneys are not functioning properly.  They can be also be caused by problems with the prostate or poor bladder pressure in women.  These problems effect the ability of the bladder to completely empty their by allowing for the accumulation of calcium oxalate and formation of stones.  Calcium oxalate stones are visible to a plain x-ray.

The other type of bladders stones are uric acid stones.  These stones are made from uric acid crystals that harden into stone in the bladder or the kidney.  The stones may pass from the kidneys and not pass out of the bladder.  People that have gout or have high levels of uric acid in the blood are susceptible to uric acid bladder stones.  Uric acid stones are not visible through a standard x-ray.  To confirm the presence of uric acid stones a MRI or a CAT scan of the bladder is needed.

Western Approach to Bladder Stones

Most medical doctors will recommend waiting to see if the bladder stones will pass.  They will recommend increasing the amount of water consumption to facilitate the passing of the stones.  If the stones obstruct the urethra then surgery is required to eliminate the stones.  If the stone will not pass the several different possible procedures exist.  The first thing that may be done is to install a stent (a plastic tube) to relive the pressure and then see if the stone will pass.  If the stone will not pass then either Ureteroscopy or Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy may be performed.  Both of the procedure require the patient to be under general anesthesia. 

Ureteroscopy is a technique that involves placing a telescope into the urethra and then the bladder.  A small basket like gadget is then used to trap the stone and either fragment it or remove it.  If the stone is fragmented then the stone fragments will pass through normal urination.  The Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy uses shock waves (non electrical) through a water medium into the body and directed at the stone.  The stone fragments into many pieces that are passed through urination.