The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste from the blood and creating urine to be eliminated from the body. If excess amounts of waste products, such as uric acid, are circulating through the blood, it can result in the formation of kidney stones.
Uric Acid
Uric acid is chemical byproduct of the breakdown of substances called purines. Purines are found in a variety of different foods, including liver, anchovies, asparagus, spinach, mackerel, dried beans and peas, according to Medline Plus. In most people, uric acid completely dissolves in the blood, where it travels to the kidneys and is excreted in the urine. If the body contains too much uric acid or cannot correctly eliminate uric acid, it can lead to the development of uric acid kidney stones.
Development of Kidney Stones
A kidney stone is a hard mass that forms from crystals of uric acid in the urine. Urine contains chemicals that prevent the crystals from separating from the liquid portion of urine, however, if the uric acid concentration gets too high, the chemicals do not work properly. The high concentration leads to separation of the uric acid and the development of kidney stones.
Causes
It is unclear why uric acid kidney stones develop in some people, but not in others. Genetic factors and certain blood disorders can contribute to the formation of uric acid kidney stones. Dehydration and eating a high-protein diet can also make you more susceptible to developing kidney stones.
Symptoms
A kidney stone does not usually cause any symptoms until it has traveled to the ureter, which is the narrow tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder, according to MayoClinic.com. When a kidney stone travels into the ureter, it can hinder or completely block urine flow. This can result in severe pain in the side and back that radiates to the groin. A kidney stone may also cause pain during urination, abnormal urine color, nausea, vomiting and a frequent need to urinate. In some cases, an infection will develop. An infection may cause fever and chills.
Treatment
If you are prone to developing uric acid kidney stones, it can be beneficial for you to avoid foods high in purines. This will help decrease the production of uric acid in the body. Increasing water intake may help you pass small kidney stones naturally. If kidney stones are large or cannot be passed on their own, surgical removal may be necessary.
