Is cystine the cause of kidney stones? (Cystine Stones) Let's find out exactly about this!

Kidney stones are something that scares us all a little, right? You've probably heard about that pain. But did you know that there are different types of kidney stones? Today we're going to talk about a rare but very important type of stone. That's cystine stones. Let's see why they form, what are the symptoms, and what can be done about them.

Simply put, what are cystine stones?

Cystine Stones are also a type of kidney stone. Kidney stones are hard, stone-like structures formed by the accumulation of various chemicals in our urine. Cystine stones are made up of a chemical called cystine . Cystine is an essential amino acid for our body. To be precise, it is a small part of the proteins that help build muscle and repair tissue in our body.

Normally, our kidneys reabsorb this cystine back into the body. But in some people, this process doesn't work properly. Then, the cystine that can't be absorbed accumulates in the urine and, over time, forms stones. These cystine stones can grow a little larger than other kidney stones. So sometimes they need to be removed through surgery to stop the damage to the kidneys or urinary tract.

So what is Cystinuria?

The main cause of these cystine stones is a genetic condition called cystinuria . This is a rare, hereditary condition. Simply put, if you have this condition, your body can't properly dissolve a chemical called cystine. So it builds up in your urine and forms stones.

Because this is a genetic condition, a child must inherit the gene from both their mother and father to develop it . A person with this condition is likely to develop cystine stones several times throughout their life.

How common is this condition? What are the symptoms?

This is not something that happens to everyone, it is a bit rare. Usually, if you take 1 or 2 out of 100 people who develop kidney stones, only one or two of them will have cystine stones. But surprisingly, this condition is seen more often in children and young adults . About 80% of people who develop cystine stones develop their first stone before the age of 20. However, these stones can form at any age.

As for the symptoms, they are very similar to those of other kidney stones. Symptoms are usually not felt until a stone has formed.

Sometimes, these cystine stones can become large enough to block the urinary tract and cause a urinary tract infection (UTI) .

What complications can occur?

Cystinuria is a lifelong condition, and if not managed properly, it can lead to complications. It is important to work with your doctor to manage this condition.

Possible problems include:

• Kidney infections: Stones can obstruct the flow of urine and allow germs to enter the kidneys.
• Ureteral obstruction: The tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder (ureter) can become blocked by a stone.
• Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs).
• Permanent kidney damage:If left untreated for a long time, kidney function may decrease.

How does the doctor diagnose this? What are the treatments?

If you have symptoms similar to kidney stones, your doctor will do several tests to determine if these are cystine stones.

Diagnostic methods

• Asking you for details: The doctor will ask about your symptoms and whether anyone in your family has had similar problems.
• Tests: A urine test and imaging tests such as an ultrasound scan or CT scan may be ordered.
• Testing the stone: If you have a stone that has passed out of your urine, it can be sent to a lab for testing to determine exactly what type of stone it is. This is the only way to 100% confirm that it is a cystine stone.

Treatment methods

The main goal of treating cystine stones is to prevent new stones from forming and to remove existing stones. Your doctor will develop a treatment plan that is right for you.

• Changes in lifestyle and diet
• Drink plenty of water: This is the most important thing. Your doctor may tell you to drink at least 3-4 liters of water a day. That means you should make it a habit to drink a glass of water every hour. Don't be surprised if you get up at night to drink water. Water dilutes your urine and reduces the accumulation of cystine.
• Salt (sodium) control: Reduce the amount of salt you add to your food. Avoid foods like canned foods and frozen or packaged foods, which are high in salt.
• Reducing animal protein: You can reduce your intake of animal protein like meat, fish, and eggs and focus on plant-based protein instead.

• Medicines

If you are experiencing pain due to a stone, your doctor will prescribe painkillers. In addition, there are special medications that can help prevent new cystine stones from forming. Tiopronin and d-penicillamine are such medications. These help dissolve the cystine. These medications should only be taken under medical supervision .

• Surgery

If the stones are very large, blocking the urinary tract, or causing severe pain, they may need to be removed surgically.

• Ureteroscopy: A small, flexible camera is passed down the urethra to locate the stone and either break it into pieces or remove it completely.
• Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy:A procedure in which a small incision is made in the skin of the back and a tube is passed through it into the kidney to remove the stone. This is usually done for very large stones.

How do you live with this situation? Is it something to be afraid of?

Cystinuria is a lifelong condition. But if it is managed properly, there is nothing to worry about. The condition is rarely life-threatening. If treated properly, it rarely progresses to serious conditions such as kidney failure.

To monitor the success of the treatment, the doctor will regularly perform urine tests to check the level of cystine in the urine. If necessary, the treatment plan will be adjusted accordingly. Since this is a genetic condition, it may also be a good idea to seek genetic counseling if you are planning to start a family.