Bladder stones
Alternative names:
stones - bladder; urinary tract stones
Treatment:
Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water or more per day, enough to increase urinary output, may help the stones to pass.
Stones that are not excreted spontaneously may be removed by the health care provider using a cystoscope or a lithotripter (a small tube that passes through the urethra to the bladder). Some stones may need to be surgically removed.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy may be an alternative to surgery. In this treatment, ultrasonic waves (shock waves) break up stones so that they may be expelled in the urine.
Medications are rarely used to try to dissolve the stones.
Underlying causes of bladder stones should be treated.
Expectations (prognosis):
Most bladder stones are expelled or can be removed without permanent damage to the bladder. They may recur if the underlying cause is not corrected.
Complications:
Calling your health care provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms indicate bladder stones may be present.
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