Do you also get stones from urine? Let's learn about these uric acid stones!

If you see a little blood in your urine, or if you experience severe pain when urinating, it can be a bit scary, right? These things can be caused by kidney stones. There are several types of kidney stones, one of which is uric acid stones. Today, we will talk about why they form, what are the symptoms, and how we can protect ourselves from this condition.

Simply put, what are uric acid stones?

Uric acid stones are one of the four types of kidney stones. Simply put, a kidney stone is a solidified mass of certain minerals in our body that forms like a rock. They can form inside the kidneys or anywhere in the urinary system.

So, what is uric acid?

Uric acid is a waste product in our blood. It is produced when our body breaks down chemicals called purines . These purines are found in abundance in meats, especially red meat, and alcoholic beverages like beer.

Normally, most of the uric acid that forms dissolves in the blood, passes through the kidneys, and is excreted in the urine. However, uric acid stones form in two cases:

• If the uric acid level in your urine is very high .
• If your urine is always very acidic .

At times like this, the uric acid that cannot dissolve collects and forms small crystals. These crystals combine with other substances and gradually become larger stones.

What are the symptoms of these stones?

The symptoms of uric acid stones are very similar to those of other kidney stones. The main symptom is pain. These stones can be very painful if they become lodged in the kidney or if they travel down the urinary tract.

Why do these uric acid stones actually form?

There are several main reasons for this.

1. Diet and Purines

Some foods are high in purines. If we eat these regularly and in large quantities, the uric acid levels in the body increase.

• Red meat (beef, lamb, pork)
• Organ meats (liver, kidney, etc.)
• Some types of fish (like sardines, halibut) and seafood like shrimp and crab
• Beer and some types of alcohol

But remember, food alone is not usually the cause. If someone who is genetically predisposed to developing these stones eats too much of these foods, the risk is much higher.

2. Genetic and other medical conditions

Some people are born with an inability to properly control uric acid or proteins in their bodies. Similarly, people with a condition called gout can develop high levels of uric acid in their blood and develop stones.

3. Other risk factors

• Obesity: Body mass index (BMI) greater than 25.
• Not drinking enough water: This is the main reason for kidney stones. When you drink less water, your urine becomes more concentrated, making it easier for stones to form.
• Type 2 Diabetes.
• Some medications (e.g. diuretics).
• If someone in the family has had kidney stones.
• Weight loss surgery (Bariatric surgery).

How does a doctor find this?

When you go to see a doctor, he will ask about your symptoms, examine your body, and then order several tests to confirm whether you have these stones.

What are the treatments for this?

The good news is that there are effective treatments for uric acid stones.

Water is the best medicine!

The first and most important step in treatment is to drink plenty of water . It is best to drink about 3 liters of water per day and excrete about 2.5 liters of urine. This is what happens when you drink water:

• The urine becomes diluted, reducing the concentration of stone-forming minerals.
• Due to frequent urination, those minerals are flushed out of the body before stones form.

Stones smaller than 7 millimeters are likely to pass out in the urine within about 3 weeks with plenty of water.

Can it be cured with medicine?

Yes. Compared to other types of kidney stones, a special advantage of uric acid stones is that they can be dissolved with medications.Your doctor may prescribe you medications like these:

• Pills like Potassium citrate or Calcium carbonate : These reduce the acidity of the urine and make it alkaline. This will help the stones to dissolve.
• Allopurinol: This medication reduces uric acid levels in the blood.

Even when taking this medication, it is essential to drink plenty of water.

When is surgery necessary?

Sometimes surgery is necessary.

• If the stone is very large .
• If the stone completely blocks the flow of urine .
• If there is an infection .
• If the stone has not passed after 4-6 weeks.

There are now very advanced, minimally invasive methods for this.

• ESWL (Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy): A method of breaking up stones by sending high-energy sound waves from outside the body.
• Ureteroscopy: A very thin tube with a camera is passed down the urethra and the stone is broken into small pieces or removed directly.
• PCNL (Percutaneous nephrolithotomy): For larger stones, a procedure that involves making a very small incision in the back and going into the kidney to remove the stone.

How can I prevent these stones from forming again?

Once a stone forms, it is more likely to form again within 5-7 years. Therefore, prevention is very important.

When should you definitely see a doctor?

If you think you have kidney stones and have the following symptoms, see a doctor immediately, or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.

• If you have a fever higher than 38.6 Celsius (101.5 Fahrenheit) .
• If there is unbearable pain .
• If there is heavy bleeding with the urine.
• If nausea and vomiting continue.
• If you have another medical condition such as diabetes.