When minerals abnormally build up and solidify within the bladder, a patient may be diagnosed with bladder stones. Approximately 95 percent of bladder stone patients are men, according to MedlinePlus, a medical information website established by the National Institutes of Health. Patients who develop bladder stone symptoms should consult a physician for further evaluation and treatment.
Abdominal or Penile Pain
The bladder is a small organ within the lower abdomen that stores fluid waste before it is excreted from the body as urine. Mineral deposits within the bladder can irritate and inflame this organ, leading to abdominal pain or discomfort. Sensations of pain can be mild to severe, depending upon the number and size of the bladder stones. Men with this condition can also experience sensations of pain within the penis, reports MayoClinic.com. Sensations of penile pain may be most severe when the bladder stone passes out of the body during urination. Patients who develop abdominal or genital pain for any reason should seek care from a doctor. These bladder stone symptoms can also be signs of alternate medical problems, such as a sexually transmitted disease or prostate cancer.
Frequent, Painful or Difficult Urination
Irritation and inflammation of the bladder due to this condition can lead to urination difficulties in patients. Affected patients can experience a frequent urge to urinate, which may be accompanied by sensations of pain or burning during urination, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. If a bladder stone becomes caught within the urethra--the small, thin tube that carries urine out of the body--affected patients may experience a temporary inability to urinate. Additionally, certain patients with bladder stones may be at an increased risk of developing a urinary tract infection. Symptoms of a urinary tract infection include frequent, urgent urination, urinary pain or fever. Patients who develop any of these bladder stone symptoms should consult a physician, as antibiotic medication may be necessary to resolve these symptoms.
Urine Discoloration
As a bladder stone travels through the urinary tract, it can injure or irritate the delicate tissues along this body system. Consequently, patients with bladder stones can notice blood within their urine, according to MedlinePlus. Blood in the urine can cause this body fluid to appear unusually red, pink or orange. Certain patients with bladder stones can also excrete abnormally dark-colored urine as a symptom of this condition. Patients who notice changes in the color of their urine should contact a doctor for further evaluation and care.
