Uric acid is excreted in the body due to the breakup of cells caused by the food eaten. This uric acid is a waste product and is usually removed from the body via urine and stool. However, if the kidneys fail to perform their function optimally, this uric acid remains in the blood to result in Gout or Kidney stones. The level of uric acid in the urine can be determined by a laboratory urine test. Uric acid kidney stones are formed as a result of too much uric acid in the urine, or a normal amount of uric acid in too little urine or uric acid present in its insoluble form. There are several other factors that instigate uric acid stones formation, such as:-
Uric acid is produced at the breaking up of ‘purines’, which are found in the human body tissue and in certain food products such as beans, peas, liver and certain alcoholic drinks.
Too much of uric acid in the urine for a prolonged period leads to uric acid stones.
Low amount of urine.
Diets overly rich in animal proteins.
Metabolic disorder that leads to high levels of uric acid in the urine.
Certain medical conditions may further trigger uric acid kidney stone formation. These include:-
Gout which involves the deposition of uric acid in joints to cause an extremely painful condition. Access of uric acid in blood leads to Gout.
Diabetes too may lead to uric acid kidney stones. Research reveals that people with type 2 diabetes have highly acidic urine, which may lead to uric acid stones.
-Insulin Resistance.
-Genetic factors.
-Chronic diarrhea.
-Binge Drinking.
-Some rare types of anemia.
-Blood cancers.
-Lead poisoning.
-Not eating for long periods of time.
-Genetic Factors.
-Hypocitraturia, a low amount of citrate in the urine
-Certain Medications.
Uric Acid Kidney Stone
Uric acid kidney stone is a relatively common type of kidney stone, especially in people with gout. Gout treatment makes it a less frequent complication. Uric acid is produced through digestion, when the acid level in urine is high or excessively excreted, all of it may not dissolve resulting into uric acid stones formation. 10% of patients with kidney stone disease develop this type of stone.
Gout patients as well as cancer patients usually have higher than normal uric acid production after undergoing chemotherapy. Therefore people with low Ph urine and low urine volume are at higher risk of uric acid kidney stone formation.
* Symptoms:
The symptoms of kidney stones are more or less similar in nature irrespective of the causes. Pain and blood in the urine are the ones that are more common in this case, along with ureter obstruction or infection.
* Diagnosis:
Sudden pain, blood in the urine, a positive CT scan, appropriate risk factors, and a 24-hour urine collection showing too much uric acid in the urine or acidic urine are the clears indicators of the presence of uric acid kidney stones.
* Treatment:
Good hydration combined with alkalinization i.e. increasing the urine's pH usually dissolves the stones.
* Prevention:
Good fluid intake of more than 2 liters per day and raising the urine pH with potassium bicarbonate, or potassium citrate are good preventive measures.
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