Uric acid lithiasis
What is Uric Acid Lithiasis?
Uric acid lithiasis is a condition whereby crystal formations known as urate stones develop in the kidney, bladder, or the urinary tract. Urate stones are made up of uric acid, a breakdown product of purines, which are naturally occurring substances in food such as liver, anchovies, and gravies.
Uric acid can accumulate in the body due to diet, dehydration, certain metabolic diseases, and certain medications. High concentrations of uric acid in the blood and urine can cause the formation of urate stones. Uric acid stones are typically yellowish-brown and usually occur in the left kidney.
Symptoms of Uric Acid Lithiasis
- Pain in the side of the abdomen
- Pain in the flank or back
- Pain while urinating
- Blood in the urine
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
- Fever
Diagnosing Uric Acid Lithiasis
A urinalysis will usually confirm the presence of urate crystals, along with other diagnostic tests such as CT scans or an ultrasound of the kidneys, bladder, or urinary tract. Your doctor may also collect a sample of your urine to examine for urate crystals under a microscope.
Treatment for Uric Acid Lithiasis
Treatment for uric acid lithiasis usually involves medications to help dissolve the stones and dietary changes to reduce the amount of uric acid in the body. Additional treatments may include drinking plenty of water to flush out the stones, drinking cranberry juice, or taking potassium citrate. Surgery may be necessary in cases where the stones are too large to be dissolved.
