Kidney Stone Drug Interaction

Kidney and Bladder Stones Treatment And Drug Interaction

Bladder stones are small masses of minerals that form in your bladder, the balloon-shaped organ in your pelvis that stores urine. Bladder stones, also called bladder calculi, often form when concentrated urine sits in your bladder. As urine stagnates, minerals in the urine form various crystals that may combine to form "stones." Bladder stones usually develop secondary to another condition, such as an enlarged prostate or a urinary tract infection.

The incidence of bladder stones in the United States and western Europe has been declining over the past century due to improvements in nutrition and infection control. In these geographic areas, middle-aged and elderly men are at highest risk of developing bladder stones. However, bladder stones remain a common problem in developing countries, especially among children. Lower abdominal pain and painful urination are common symptoms of bladder stones. Bladder stones are usually removed by your doctor, but small stones may pass on their own. Left untreated, bladder stones can cause infections and other complications.

Causes

Bladder stones are usually the result of another urologic problem, such as:
Bladder diverticulum
Enlarged prostate
Neurogenic bladder
Urinary tract infection

Approximately 95% of all bladder stones occur in men. Bladder stones are much less common than kidney stones.
Bladder stones may occur when urine in the bladder is concentrated and materials crystallize. Symptoms occur when the stone irritates the lining of the bladder or obstructs the flow of urine from the bladder.

Signs and Symptoms

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Small, smooth kidney stones may remain in the kidney or pass without causing pain (called "silent" stones). Stones that lodge in the tube that carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder (ureter) cause the urinary system to spasm and produce pain. The pain is unrelated to the size of the stone and often radiates from the lower back to the side or groin.

A "small" stone (usually 4 mm in diameter or less) has a 90% chance of spontaneous passage. Stones that are 8 mm in diameter or larger usually require medical intervention.

Other symptoms of kidney stones may include the following:
Blood in the urine
Increased frequency of urination
Nausea and vomiting
Pain during urination
Tenderness in the abdomen and kidney region
Urinary tract infection (fever, chills, loss of appetite)

Treatment

Many bladder stones can be passed out of the body in the urine. People with small bladder in kidney stones will be asked to increase their fluid intakes to at least six to eight eight-ounce glasses of water per day to increase urinary output. If the stones do not pass after two weeks, or if the patient’s symptoms become worse, further medical treatment may be required.

A large bladder stone, or small stone that the patient cannot pass in the urine, may be broken up into smaller stones using ultrasound (shock waves). These smaller stones may then pass in the urine. Stones that cannot be broken into pieces by these methods, or that the patient cannot pass, may have to be surgically removed.

Alternative treatment

Traditional herbal remedies for bladder stones include celery seed and horsetail. Also, because incomplete bladder emptying may cause bladder stones, many patients may benefit from methods and remedies aimed at improving overall bladder function. These include Kegel exercises, which are used to strengthen the muscles involved in urination; herbal supplements (cornsilk, hydrangea, juniper berries, parsley, and uva ursi) used to increase urine flow and flush out sediment from the bladder; and, the consumption of cranberry juice and/or fresh, unsweetened, lemon juice. Cranberry juice helps to control urinary tract infection and contains a chemical that coats the walls of the bladder, making them more resistant to infection. Lemon juice helps to flush out the urinary system.

Prevention

Bladder stones may, in some cases, be prevented by the patient receiving prompt medical treatment for an enlarged prostate gland or UTI. The consumption of at least six to eight eight-ounce glasses of water per day and/or the regular consumption of cranberry juice may help to prevent recurrences of bladder stones.

By: Franchis

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