Which condition do kidney stones often mimic once they have moved down into the bladder?

Kidney stones can often mimic a bladder infection, or cystitis, when they move into the bladder. This similarity arises because both conditions can present with overlapping symptoms such as dysuria (painful urination), increased frequency or urgency to urinate, and suprapubic pain.

When a kidney stone enters the bladder, it can irritate the bladder wall, resulting in inflammation and symptoms that are characteristic of a urinary tract infection. Additionally, the presence of stones can lead to urinary stasis or secondary infections, further exacerbating symptoms that resemble those of cystitis.

In contrast, conditions like prostatitis and ureteritis have more specific symptoms that are not as closely aligned with the irritation caused by a stone in the bladder. Prostatitis typically includes perineal pain and symptoms specific to male reproductive health, while ureteritis refers to inflammation of the ureter, which may present with flank pain rather than bladder-related symptoms. A kidney infection, or pyelonephritis, is primarily associated with inflammation of the kidneys and flank pain, fever, and systemic symptoms, making it distinct from the local irritation and symptoms seen with bladder issues.