What are uric acid stones: 3 major reasons that cause it

About 1 in 10 people in the United States will have a kidney stone at some point in their lives. Among these cases, uric acid stones account for 8% to 10%, making them a significant yet often overlooked type. But what exactly are uric acid stones, and what causes them? Let’s take a look.

Though small stones can pass through without symptoms, the large ones cause pain, a backup of urine, infection, and other health issues. Here are some of the common symptoms.

• Severe pain on either side of your lower back
• Vague flank pain or stomach ache that doesn’t go away
• Blood in the urine
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fever and chills
• Foul-smelling urine or cloudy urine​
  

There are many reasons behind the formation of uric acid stones. Some of them include:

Uric acid stones are a form of kidney stone disease. They form in the kidneys when uric acid levels in the urine become too high, leading to the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the kidneys. These hard, crystalline deposits from the kidney travel down the urinary tract into the ureter. Stones that don't move may cause significant pain, recurrent urinary tract obstruction, infection, or other health problems.
Now, what is uric acid? Uric acid is a byproduct of purine metabolism, a substance found in certain foods and naturally produced by the body. Normally, uric acid dissolves in urine and is excreted without issue. However, when urine becomes too acidic or concentrated, uric acid can crystallize, leading to the formation of stones. These stones range from tiny grains to larger, obstructive masses. Unlike calcium-based stones, uric acid stones are often treatable with lifestyle changes, making early identification critical.

One of the primary causes of uric acid stones is a diet high in purines, which increases uric acid production. Foods such as beef, poultry, pork, fish (herring, trout, sardines), red meat, and particularly organ meats such as liver, have high amounts of a natural chemical compound known as purines. This elevates uric acid levels in the blood and urine, creating an environment conducive to stone formation. Alcohol, particularly beer, and sugary beverages sweetened with fructose also contribute by increasing purine metabolism or reducing uric acid excretion.

When the body cannot process uric acid or protein, acid builds up in the urine. This is often inherited from biological parents. This can be seen in conditions such as gout, a condition where people can have high levels of uric acid in the blood and painful deposits of crystals in the joints. People with diabetes are also at high risk of getting uric acid stones.

Other causes of uric acid stones include:

• Being overweight or obese
• Certain medications and supplements, including diuretics and immunosuppressants
• Type 2 diabetes
• Lack of exercise
• Weight loss surgery
• Dehydration
  

Take care of these things to prevent stones