Kidney stones are solid pieces of material that form in the kidneys when high levels of certain minerals and salts accumulate in the urine. These formations vary in size and shape, ranging from tiny crystals to larger masses. While often associated with severe pain, a less commonly understood aspect is their potential to affect bladder control. This article explores how kidney stones can contribute to urinary incontinence and highlights related symptoms and medical interventions.
Understanding the Connection Between Kidney Stones and Incontinence
Kidney stones can lead to incontinence through several mechanisms within the urinary system. One direct cause involves the stone irritating bladder nerves, especially if it moves through the ureter or becomes lodged near the bladder. This irritation can trigger bladder spasms and a sudden urge to urinate, known as urge incontinence.
Urinary obstruction is another mechanism. When a kidney stone blocks urine flow, it can cause urine to back up and increase pressure within the urinary system, including the bladder. This elevated pressure can impair the bladder’s ability to empty completely, potentially leading to overflow incontinence, where urine leaks involuntarily as the bladder becomes overly full.
Kidney stones can also increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). The stone can create an environment where bacteria thrive, and blockages can make it harder for the bladder to flush out bacteria. UTIs cause bladder irritation, leading to symptoms like frequent urination, urgency, and sometimes incontinence.
Severe pain and inflammation from a kidney stone can indirectly impact nervous signals controlling bladder function. The body’s response to intense pain can disrupt normal coordination between the brain and bladder, contributing to temporary loss of bladder control.
Common Accompanying Symptoms
Kidney stones present with a range of other symptoms. Severe pain, often described as colicky, is a hallmark symptom, frequently felt in the back, side, or lower abdomen. This pain can radiate to the groin area as the stone moves through the urinary tract.
Individuals may also experience pain or a burning sensation during urination, particularly when the stone is near or in the bladder. A frequent urge to urinate is common, even if only small amounts of urine are passed.
Blood in the urine, known as hematuria, is another common sign, which can make the urine appear pink, red, or brown. Urine may also look cloudy or have an unusual, foul smell. Nausea and vomiting can accompany the intense pain, due to shared nerve pathways between the kidneys and the gastrointestinal tract.
When to Seek Urgent Medical Care
Recognizing when kidney stone symptoms require urgent medical attention is important for preventing complications. Seek immediate care if incontinence is accompanied by severe pain that does not subside with pain relief. This indicates a serious obstruction.
Fever and chills alongside kidney stone symptoms suggest a possible urinary tract or kidney infection. An inability to pass urine at all is a sign of complete urinary obstruction, requiring emergency care to prevent kidney damage.
Significant or persistent blood in the urine, especially if it appears bright red, also needs evaluation. If nausea and vomiting are severe enough to prevent fluid intake, or if confusion or weakness develops, seek medical help. Any new or worsening incontinence with known or suspected kidney stones should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
Treatment Approaches
Treatment for kidney stones, and the associated incontinence, depends on the stone’s size, type, and location. For smaller stones, conservative management is often the first approach. This includes increasing fluid intake to help flush the stone, managing pain with medication, and sometimes using alpha-blockers to relax ureter muscles and facilitate stone passage.
When stones are larger or do not pass on their own, medical procedures may be necessary. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) uses shock waves to break stones into smaller fragments that can then be passed more easily. Ureteroscopy involves inserting a thin scope through the urethra and bladder to remove or break up stones with a laser.
For very large or complex stones, percutaneous nephrolithotomy might be performed, which is a minimally invasive surgical procedure. If a urinary tract infection is present, antibiotics will be prescribed to clear the infection. Addressing the underlying kidney stone is the primary step to resolving any related incontinence symptoms.