Uric Acid and Kidney Stones - Foods and Risk Factors Involved

Uric acid is one of the causes of kidney stones. Waste materials in the body if not completely dissolved in the urine will crystallize, hence, uric acid becomes kidney stones (calculi).

Hardened mineral deposits like uric acid, calcium oxalate, to name some, form in the kidney resulting to kidney stones. This has a medical term of nephrolithiasis or renal stone disease.

The kidney stones from the kidney if transferred to the bladder will cause pain in the lower back and branch out in the groin. A lodged stone in the flow of urine can cause pressure in the ureter and kidney resulting to severe pain.

Uric acid stones are also attributable to genetic factors. They account for 10% of patients whose parents have suffered the same disease. Luckily, this type of kidney stones can be dissolved with medication like sodium bicarbonate and potassium citrate.

Men are susceptible to this and uric acid stones account for 5 to 10 percent of all kidney stones.
Likewise, those who live in areas like gulfs and lakes have a high tendency of contacting renal stone disease.

In order to avoid possible kidney stones, one should also refrain from eating foods high in sodium, sugar, meat, fats, vegetable protein, unrefined carbohydrates, and potassium.

Moreover, increase your water consumption and avoid being dehydrated when performing daily routine exercises. It is also good to know food groups that are acidic and causes alkaline imbalances.

Aside from diet making the most important role in the formation of kidney stones, the following are also risk factors:

1. Arthritis- Inflammation in the joint area.

2. Colitis- The colon is inflamed that results to dehydration, diarrhea and chemical imbalance in the body.

3. Gout- There is so much uric acid in the blood resulting to high urinary uric acid levels.

4. Hypertension or High blood pressure.

5. Hyperparathyroidism- There is calcium loss in the bone brought about by excessive parathyroid hormone.

6. Medullary sponge kidney- A congenital kidney defect often linked to low urinary citrate levels, increased urinary calcium loss and urinary tract infections.

7. Renal tubular acidosis- This is inherited wherein the kidney cannot excrete acid.

If you experience symptoms of kidney stones like lower back pain, painful urination, urinary urgency or blood in the urine, visit a urologist or other healthcare professional.

When visiting your doctor for possible kidney stones treatment, make it a point to work with him for a successful treatment of uric acid kidney stones.