Urinary Stone

What is urinary stone?

A urinary stone is a hard lump made of minerals that forms in the urinary system. When it forms in the bladder, it is called a bladder stone. These stones usually develop when some urine stays in the bladder after passing urine, allowing minerals to stick together and form a stone. Small stones may pass on their own, while larger stones may need treatment.

Who is Commonly Affected?

Urinary stones commonly affect about 12% of the Indian population. Anyone can develop a bladder stone, but it is more common in:

• Men over 50 years of age
• People with an enlarged prostate
• People who cannot empty their bladder completely
• People with nerve problems that affect bladder function
• People who use a urinary catheter for a long time

Why Does It Happen?

Bladder stones usually form when urine stays in the bladder for too long. The minerals in the urine become concentrated, form crystals, and gradually turn into stones.

Common causes include:

• Enlarged prostate
• Difficulty emptying the bladder completely
• Not drinking enough water (dehydration)
• Bladder abnormalities such as pouches (diverticula)
• Nerve-related bladder problems
• Long-term urinary catheters
• Kidney stones that move into the bladder

Signs and Symptoms

Some small bladder stones may not cause any symptoms. Larger stones can cause:

• Pain or burning while passing urine
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Blood in the urine
• Cloudy or dark urine
• Difficulty starting or maintaining urine flow
• Lower abdominal pain
• Repeated urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Diagnosis and Investigations

Your doctor may:

• Ask about your symptoms and medical history
• Perform a physical examination
• Recommend a urine test to check for blood, infection, or tiny stones
• Order imaging tests such as an ultrasound, X-ray, or CT scan to locate the stone
• Perform a cystoscopy, where a thin camera is passed into the bladder to look for stones

Procedure

Ureteroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used to remove or break up kidney or ureter stones. No cuts or incisions are made. A thin tube with a tiny camera (called a ureteroscope) is passed through the urethra, bladder, and into the ureter or kidney to locate the stone.

Step-by-step

• You are given general anesthesia, so you are asleep and do not feel pain
• The doctor gently inserts a thin ureteroscope through the urethra, into the bladder, and then into the ureter or kidney
• The stone is located using the camera on the scope
• Small stones may be removed using a tiny basket
• Larger stones are broken into tiny pieces using a laser
• The stone fragments are removed or allowed to pass naturally in the urine
• A temporary ureteral stent is usually placed to keep the ureter open and help urine drain while the area heals. The stent is removed after a few days or weeks

Duration of Hospital Stay

• Ureteroscopy is usually a day-care (outpatient) procedure

Diet

Diet

After the procedure:

• Drink plenty of water to help flush out stone fragments
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet unless your doctor recommends a special diet based on your stone type
• Follow your doctor's advice about when to resume your normal meals after anesthesia
• Limit foods only if advised by your healthcare provider based on the type of stone you had

Long-Term Care

Myths and Facts

Myth 1: Only older people get bladder stones. Fact: Although they are more common in older men, bladder stones can affect anyone if the bladder does not empty properly.

Myth 2: Drinking more water will always remove a bladder stone. Fact: Small stones may pass with increased fluid intake, but larger stones usually require medical treatment.

Myth 1: Ureteroscopy requires a large cut or incision. Fact: Ureteroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure. The doctor uses a thin scope that passes through the natural urinary tract, so no surgical cuts are needed.

Myth 2: If a stent is placed after ureteroscopy, it stays in forever. Fact: A ureteral stent is temporary. It is usually removed after a few days or weeks, depending on your doctor's advice.

References

1. Bladder stones. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16312-bladder-stones/ Accessed on: 16 July 2026.
2. Singh S, Gupta S, Mishra T, et al. Risk Factors of Incident Kidney Stones in Indian Adults: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study. Cureus. 2023;15(2):e35558.
3. Uteroscopy. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16213-ureteroscopy/ Accessed on: 16 July 2026.