The kidneys are the organs responsible for the excretory function of the body. Thanks to the work of these organs, all substances entering the bloodstream are filtered. They are responsible for maintaining water-salt and electrolyte metabolism. In addition, the hormone erythropoietin is produced in them, which is necessary to ensure hematopoiesis. You can evaluate the work of the kidneys by analyzing urine. There are many different laboratory methods for conducting this study. In addition to the fact that by the state of the fluid you can find out about the presence of inflammatory processes and a violation of the filtering ability of the kidneys, crystals are sometimes found in the urine. Normally, they should not be. Therefore, the appearance of crystals in the analysis of urine indicates functional impairment. In some cases, these changes are observed in the presence of stones. Sometimes this phenomenon indicates a predisposition to certain diseases of the kidneys. In this case, the pathology itself may not yet develop.
Crystals in the urine: the cause of the appearance in healthy people
The crystals are an accumulation of salts that form the urinary sediment. Their appearance in small quantities is not always a deviation and is sometimes found in healthy people. If the crystals in the urine are significantly elevated, then this indicates a violation of mineral metabolism. The following reasons for the appearance of salts in OAM are distinguished:
- The predominance of certain foods in the diet. These include meat, tomatoes, asparagus, sorrel, lingonberries. The fact is that this food has a large amount of acids in its composition, which crystallize and precipitate.
- Increased sweating during physical exertion.
- Taking some antibacterial drugs (drugs of the sulfanilamide group, ampicillin).
- Drinking unfiltered tap water.
- Alkaline reaction of urine. It is observed in the presence of inflammation in the kidneys.
If, due to the above reasons, amorphous crystals appeared in the urine, this is not a pathological condition. Nevertheless, the constant consumption of a large number of foods containing acids is considered a predisposing factor for the formation of kidney stones.
The appearance of amorphous crystals in pathology
Crystals in the urine may be different. It depends on what salts they are formed from. Crystals are divided into phosphates, urates and calcium oxalates. Of all these substances, kidney stones or bladder can form. In some cases, stones contain several different salts at once. Phosphates often precipitate during bladder infections (cystitis), and they also appear due to increased secretion of the parathyroid hormone. Urate is an accumulation of uric acid salts . Excessive production of this substance indicates a violation of mineral metabolism in the body (gout). In addition, urate is often present in urine in chronic diseases of the kidney tissue (nephritis, chronic renal failure). Most often, calculi consist of calcium, which is released in large quantities and forms crystals. Oxalates in the urine are observed in diseases such as pyelonephritis and diabetes.
The presence of certain types of crystals always indicates pathological conditions. These include salts of hypuric acid, an accumulation of cholesterol, bilirubin, leucine, tyrosine, hematoidin. Normally, these substances should not be excreted by the kidneys.
Symptoms in the presence of crystals in the urine
Most often, the presence of crystals in the urine does not appear. Especially if there is a small amount of salt accumulation. Symptoms occur with the formation of calculi and the development of urolithiasis. In this case, kidney function is impaired due to obstruction of the pyelocaliceal system. Also, calculi can accumulate in the bladder and enter the ducts. As a result, a syndrome such as renal colic develops. The patient complains of severe lower back pain, extending down the abdomen and inguinal region. Due to the fact that there is a stone in the ureter, fluid secretion is difficult. Pain in renal colic is so strong that the patient takes a forced position: on the side with the legs brought to the stomach. Crystals in the urine of a child are most often observed due to inflammatory pathologies (acute and chronic pyelonephritis, cystitis). Such ailments are accompanied by fever, nausea, pain in the lower back and abdomen (more often on the one hand).
Diagnosis in the presence of crystals in the urine: transcript analysis
Urate, phosphate and calcium crystals in urine are detected by microscopic examination. In addition to OAM, a biochemical blood test is performed. The presence of crystals in the urine is indicated by the “+” sign. For example, the entry “urate +++” means that these substances are abundant. The pH is also determined. If this indicator is normal, conduct a more in-depth examination. Urine analysis is performed according to Zimnitsky, Nechiporenko, ultrasound of the kidneys, excretory urography. In some cases, it is necessary to conduct a study of the parathyroid glands. In addition to laboratory and instrumental diagnostics, it should be clarified: what foods a person consumed before taking OAM, whether he drinks unfiltered water.
Amorphous crystals in urine: treatment
After finding out the cause of the appearance of crystals in the urine, treatment is prescribed. If there are large calculi in the kidneys, surgical intervention is required. In cases where crystals arise against the background of a disease (pyelonephritis, diabetes mellitus, gout), treatment should be directed to the main pathology. With the development of renal colic, spasmolytic drugs (No-Shpa, Drotaverin tablets), uroseptics are prescribed.
How to prevent the formation of crystals in the urine
To prevent the formation of crystals in the urinary sediment, it is necessary to take OAM periodically. After all, often the accumulation of salts is not accompanied by any symptoms. It should be remembered that crystals rarely form with proper nutrition. Therefore, it is worth consuming foods containing acids in limited quantities. It is not recommended to drink "raw" unfiltered water. In the presence of inflammatory and metabolic diseases, it is necessary to carry out the appointment of a doctor.