subject: Uric Acid Kidney Stones Prevention For Gout Sufferers [print this page] Uric acid kidney stones are formed when high uric acid levels are present in the blood, so gout sufferers are particularly at risk. Here you'll discover the link between kidney stones and uric acid along with their treatment and prevention.
HOW ARE URIC ACID KIDNEY STONES FORMED?
When high uric acid levels are present, crystals of urate can form in the blood and get deposited around the body. When they accumulate in the joints and connective tissue they cause the symptoms of gout.
But they can also become deposited in the kidneys where they can sometimes collect together into a single mass - a kidney stone - which can vary in size from tiny to rather large (e.g. 1 in / 2.5 cm).
WHY ARE GOUT SUFFERERS AT RISK?
As you saw above gout is caused by urate crystals that form in the joints and surrounding tissue due to the presence of high acid levels in the blood.
So people with recurring gout are especially at risk because they tend to have increased acid levels in their blood for long periods, giving more time for crystal formation and more time for the crystals to form into a stone in the kidneys.
KIDNEY STONE SYMPTOMS
Often times tiny stones are passed out of the body through urine without exhibiting any symptoms. But when the stone reaches around 0.12 in (3 mm) it is big enough that the sufferer will encounter symptoms that may vary according to where the stone is lodged...
If the stone remains in the kidney a dull ache may be felt.
If the stone is situated in, and obstructing, the ureter - connecting the bladder and kidneys - blood in urine may be noticed as well as pain during urination.
However, particularly if the stone is small, sometimes the blood cannot be seen by the naked eye and can only be identified through testing a urine sample.
URIC ACID KIDNEY STONES TREATMENT
Treatment is largely dependent on the size of stone...
A small stone can usually be passed without any intervention other than painkillers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to manage the pain and drinking lots of water to help the kidneys eliminate it - at least 2.5 litres (approx 2.7 quarts) per day.
For larger stones, additional medical help may be needed. For example Allopurinol, which is used to lower uric acid levels in the blood, can also be used to help pass the stone more quickly and easily.
In certain cases 'Lithotripsy' can be used. This medical procedure uses sound waves directed at the stone to break it up into smaller pieces that can then be passed out of the system using the options above.
And as a last resort there is surgery.
Of course your doctor will advise on the treatment that best suits your needs.
URIC ACID KIDNEY STONE PREVENTION
In order to prevent these types of kidney stones, you need to reduce high uric acid levels and maintain those levels long-term. The two main ways to do this are through lifestyle changes (including dietary changes) or drugs, although you can have a combination of both which many physicians will recommend...
It has been shown that someone who is overweight is more likely to have higher uric acid levels than someone who isn't overweight. So getting down to a healthy weight through diet and daily exercise is one preventative measure.
Dietary changes are important not only to help lose weight but because uric acid is actually a byproduct of the breakdown of chemicals in your body called 'purines.' But purines also exist in your food, particularly high-protein foods. So by changing to a low-purine diet you can effectively reduce the amount of uric acid produced.
Typical high-purine foods are found in red meat, organ meat, game, poultry, fish and shellfish. These should be avoided or, at the very least, their consumption reduced. Of course you should talk to your doctor before making any significant dietary changes and be guided by them.
On the medical side, there are drugs that can help to lower your uric acid. Typical of these are Allopurinol and Probenecid. But, effective as they can be, these only work whilst being taken so should be seen as a long-term measure.
I hope you now have a better idea of the causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention of uric acid kidney stones and better able to discuss and understand your options with your doctor.
