Doctors pull 3.1kg stone from man's bladder

Imagine carrying a newborn baby inside your body for years without knowing it. A man in a hospital learned this was actually happening to him — but the baby was made of stone.

Doctors discovered a huge stone in his bladder. The stone weighed 3.1 kilograms. That is exactly as heavy as a full-term baby. When the doctors removed it, they were shocked. They believe this is the largest bladder stone ever recorded in medical history.

But how does a stone grow so big inside a person? Bladder stones form slowly over time. Minerals build up and harden. This happens when a person does not drink enough water or when they have certain health problems. Most bladder stones are small and cause no pain. But this man's stone grew and grew for many years.

The man must have felt very uncomfortable. A large stone can cause pain when a person walks or moves. It can also make it hard to urinate. The man finally went to the hospital because something was wrong. That is when doctors found the enormous stone inside him.

The surgery to remove it was not simple. The doctors worked carefully. They had to remove the stone safely without damaging the bladder. When they finally took it out, everyone in the hospital was amazed. They took photographs and measured it. Yes, it was real. It was one of the biggest stones ever seen.

This story teaches us something important. Our bodies send us signals when something is wrong. If you feel pain or have trouble urinating, do not wait. Visit a doctor. Also, drink plenty of water every day. Water helps keep your bladder healthy. A simple habit can prevent a big problem.

Does this make you think about your own health? What healthy habits do you want to keep or start?

Inspired by reporting from BBC News.