Uric Acid Stones—Causes & Treatment

Did you know that one in every 20 people will develop a kidney stone at some point in their lives? So, it is safe to say that the pain you feel radiating through you side, lower back, abdomen and groin is shared by millions of people just like you.

Calcium stones, also known as calcium kidney oxalate stones, are the most common kidney stones and are usually caused by diets that contain high does of Vitamin D. However, another common stone that many people develop are uric acid stones. And, just like their calcium cousins, these smooth, brown stones are just as painful.

What is Uric Acid?

First and foremost, it is important to know what uric acid is if you are going to fully understand the causes and treatment of uric acid stones. Basically, uric acid is a weak acid waste product excreted in the body due to the breakup of cells caused by the food we eat. It is usually removed by the body via urine.

The Causes of Uric Acid Kidney Stones

There is no definitive cause of uric acid kidney stones. Many different factors can lead to the development of these kinds of stones in the body.

• Foods, such as meat, poultry and fish produce uric acid. If one eats too many of these foods high in uric acid, many times the acid level in the urine become too high, and the uric acid may not dissolve. This can lead to the development of uric acid crystals.
• Genetics is believed to be one of the uric acid kidney stone causes.
• Uric acid kidney stones can develop if one becomes dehydrated from strenuous exercise on a hot day. Dehydration from illness can also cause stones.
• Uric acid stones are very common in folks who have gout, a disease that causes high uric acid levels in the blood.

How To Treat Uric Acid Kidney Stones

If you have developed uric acid kidney stones, considerer yourself partially lucky. Why? Well, this is the only type of stone that can be dissolved with medication. Your doctor may prescribe allopurinol and an alkalinizing agent to simply dissolve the stones. Talk to your doctor about your options and which works best for you.

To further prevent uric acid kidney stones, drink water—lots of it. Stones, in general cannot form if urine is diluted. And in most cases of uric acid stones, a kidney stone diet of low animal proteins and purines (which contribute to uric acid stones) is recommended.