Bladder Stone Basics

Bladder stones are not often heard of as they are not nearly as common as kidney stones. Sometimes referred to as urinary tract stones or bladder calculi, they primarily affect men as 95% of all bladder stones cases are found in men. What are bladder stones? Bladder stones are formed when substances such as calcium oxalate concentrate in the urine turning into hard, solid lumps lodging in the bladder. It is more common to have several stones form at the same time. Urine is about 95% water with the other 5% containing minerals such as salt, and waste products such as protein. When the urine is concentrated, often due to lack of water or dehydration or not being able to completely empty the bladder, the color of urine can vary from dark amber to brown depending on the types of waste and minerals it contains. If a man is unable to completely empty his bladder, this may be due to an enlarged prostate, bladder problems, or a urinary tract infection. Bladder stones usually don't cause complications as they are normally fairly small and are get excreted in the urine. But if the stones become trapped in the neck of the bladder with residue in the urine accumulating, they can grow large enough to cause symptoms. Symptoms The symptoms of bladder stones include: • Frequent urination, especially during the night • Lower abdominal pain • A burning sensation or pain in the urethra when urinating • Urine that contains blood or appears cloudy • Inability to control urination...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news