What to do if a stone falls into the bladder

After stones fall into the bladder, they can be treated by drinking more water, medication, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, cystoscopic stone removal, and surgical stone removal. Bladder stones are usually caused by urinary tract obstruction, metabolic abnormalities, urinary tract infection, foreign body retention, dietary factors and other reasons.

1. Drink more water

Increasing your daily water intake will help small stones pass naturally in your urine. It is recommended to drink 2000-3000 ml of water every day, and you can drink alkaline drinks such as lemon water appropriately. Using a tiptoe position when urinating may help move stones, but avoid holding urine for long periods of time. If you experience painful urination or worsening hematuria, seek medical attention immediately.

2. Drug treatment

For stones with a diameter of less than 6 mm, you can use sodium potassium hydrogen citrate granules to alkalize the urine as directed by your doctor, or tamsulosin sustained-release capsules to relax the smooth muscle of the ureter. In case of combined infection, antibiotics such as cefixime dispersible tablets must be used. During drug treatment, regular ultrasound examinations are required to observe changes in the position of the stones. If the stones are not passed within 2 weeks, the plan needs to be adjusted.

3. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

It is suitable for bladder stones with a diameter of 6-20 mm, and the stones are crushed by shock waves generated outside the body. Coagulation function tests need to be performed before surgery, and hematuria may occur for 1-2 days after surgery. This method is less invasive but may leave stones remaining, so it needs to be combined with medication to expel stones. It should not be used by patients with severe obesity or coagulation disorders.

4. Cystoscope stone removal

A cystoscope is inserted through the urethra, and stones are crushed and removed directly with stone forceps or laser. It is suitable for treating large or irregular-shaped stones, and can also deal with obstructive factors such as prostatic hyperplasia. A urinary catheter needs to be left in place for 1-3 days after surgery, and care should be taken to prevent urinary tract infection. Surgery may need to be delayed in the presence of urethral stricture or acute inflammation.

5. Surgery to remove stones

For large stones with a diameter of more than 3 cm or those combined with bladder diverticula, open surgery is required to remove the stones. Renal function needs to be evaluated before surgery, and bladder malformations may be treated at the same time during surgery. The postoperative recovery period is about 2 weeks, and it is necessary to keep the urinary catheter open and monitor infection indicators. Patients with long-term indwelling urinary catheters need to be investigated for neurogenic bladder factors.

Patients with bladder stones should limit their intake of high-oxalate foods such as spinach and nuts, and supplement with vitamin B6 appropriately. Maintain an appropriate amount of jumping exercise every day to promote stone expulsion, but avoid strenuous exercise that may cause stone incarceration. It is recommended to review urinary tract ultrasound every six months to detect recurrent stones in time. People with metabolic abnormalities need to regularly detect blood uric acid and calcium and phosphorus levels to prevent stone regeneration from the cause.