Urolithiasis is a painful, painful condition. It affects many people who are looking for a way to get rid of this problem. One way to help the body deal with it is through a citrate mixture. About what it is, how such drugs work, where you can buy them or how to cook them yourself at home, and is described further.
Urinary stones
Urolithiasis is caused by the presence of calculi in the organs involved in the formation and excretion of urine. Today, medical scientists cannot absolutely say why a person begins to form calculi in the kidneys, urinary bladder, which in everyday life are called stones. It is assumed that this is a whole complex of causal relationships:
- violation of phosphorus-calcium metabolism;
- disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- dehydration;
- high acidity of urine;
- special diet;
- lack of vitamin A and B vitamins;
- taking certain medications;
- special working conditions that affect metabolic processes.
All these factors are interdependent, they work together to change the composition of urine, the inability of the body to completely remove unnecessary chemical compounds, their stagnation and aggregation with the formation of stones of different sizes.
Stones and medicines
For many ordinary people, far from medicine and not facing urolithiasis, kidney stones, bladder - this is something completely incomprehensible, which somehow appeared in the body, interferes with the usual way of life. But it turns out that such formations can be different:
- carbonates, oxalates, phosphates, that is, inorganic compounds - the most common type of calculus in urolithiasis;
- magnesium salts - the basis of stones in 5-10% of cases;
- about 15% of patients suffer from deposits of uric acid derivatives;
- calculus-type calculi are detected in less than 1% of patients with diagnosed urolithiasis;
- in other cases, stones in the urinary system are polymineral in nature.
Contrast excretory urography helps to detect the presence of stones in the urinary system, even those that do not give shade during x-ray examination. The presence of calculi is also effectively diagnosed using ultrasound diagnostics. After diagnosis, the patient is recommended treatment depending on the results of the examinations. In some cases, surgical intervention is indicated, but the pharmaceutical industry currently produces special drugs that help dissolve and remove calculi from the urinary tract. A Latin citrate mixture prescription is not needed to purchase medicine in a pharmacy, since such drugs are dispensed over-the-counter at the request of the buyer.
The mechanism of citrate
Many popular drugs for the fight against urolithiasis in their composition contain such an active component as a citrate mixture. Instructions for the use of such a medicine should contain all relevant information on the treatment of this drug. Why exactly citrates became the basis for many drugs that help get rid of stones in the urinary system? By themselves, these chemical compounds are citric acid salts. Once in the human body, they are rapidly absorbed into the blood. The bioavailability of the citrate mixture is almost 100%. Its functionality consists in dissolving and preventing the formation of uric acid calculi as a result of normalizing the acidity of urine, which is pH 6.6–6.8. It is this level of acidity that allows you to dissolve existing stones and prevent relapse of their formation. Also, the citrate mixture lowers the level of calcium excretion, prevents the formation of oxalates in the produced urine.
Normalization of the level of acidity of a biological fluid, with the help of which a large number of unnecessary components are removed from the body, has a positive effect on the work of almost all organs and systems. The citrate mixture as a medicine is used in the treatment of nephrolithiasis and is prescribed by a specialist according to the results of examinations.
Pharmacy preparations
The pharmaceutical industry produces many drugs related to the group of drugs that prevent the formation and promote the dissolution of calculi. Such drugs may work on the basis of the following active substances:
- plant components, for example, double-stalked flowers, stamen saxifrage stems, rhizomes of membranous sativa;
- biologically active structures of plant origin, for example, pinene, fenhon, borneol and others;
- citrate mixture, the instructions for use which describe all the components of the drug, and this is citric acid and potassium citrate.
Which drug should be selected in each case, a competent specialist will advise on the results of a patient examination.
Blemaren
One of the commonly prescribed medications that helps fight nephrourolithiasis is Blemaren. In it, the active component is a citrate mixture. The effective use of this medication is due to alkalization of urine, which occurs due to the work of the components of the mixture:
- lemon acid;
- sodium citrate;
- potassium bicarbonate.
The drug is available in the form of tablets intended for the preparation of an effervescent drink. In a medicine package of 20 tablets embedded in a plastic tube, the manufacturer places indicator strips to monitor urine acidity and a control calendar to mark the treatment results. The dosage of the drug is selected individually for each patient and is considered adequate when the acidity of the urine is constantly within the normal range. The tablets are dissolved in a glass of water until an effervescent, uniform drink is formed; it is almost transparent, although a slight precipitate is sometimes possible.
Soluran and Uralit-U
To dissolve stones in the urinary tract, Soluran and Uralit-U preparations are also used, in which the citrate mixture acts as a working substance. The instruction describes the same composition of combination drugs as for the "Blemaren" drug. The difference is that these drug mixtures are available in powder form. In addition to indicator tests and a calendar, a measuring spoon is put into the package, which helps to measure the required amount of the drug.
"Absolute"
In pharmacies you can hear questions from customers regarding the purchase of a drug such as the Absolute Citrate Blend. But a substance with this name is not a medicine and is not sold in pharmacies. This is a food supplement used in the production of sausages and other meat products. Yes, in its composition it contains a food supplement with an index of E333, which is citric acid, but sugar and salt are also part of the composition. In some cases, people try to find for a substance such as the “Absolute” citrate mixture, as a drug that helps fight the formation of calculi in the urinary tract. But this is completely unacceptable! Do not exchange your own health for the cheapness of a product not intended for treatment.
Treatment features
In order to get a high-quality result of citrate therapy, it is necessary to conduct a preliminary set of the following measures:
- assessment of the microstructural density of stones carried out using spiral computer densitometry;
- the study of metabolic disorders in the blood and urine of the patient, the results allow you to assign a type of therapy, and track its effectiveness;
- the study of the phase and chemical composition of urinary stones with the use of qualitative, quantitative x-ray phase and chemical analyzes;
- analysis of the results of citrate litholysis in vivo and in vitro and a decision on a further therapy regimen, further administration of citrate preparations.
Observations and scientific studies have shown that citrate therapy is a highly effective method for the prevention of relapse of calcium-oxalate stone formation. Moreover, the prophylaxis of this group of drugs is most effective for calculi from uric acid combined from calcium oxalate, phosphate and calcium oxalate. Also, doctors found that the prevention of the formation of calcium-oxalate calculi using citrate is especially relevant for:
- hypercalciuria with hyperuricosuria;
- the presence of calcium oxalate dihydrate in the calculus;
- potential risk of recurring stone formation in a single kidney.
It has been established by medical practice that if the patient underwent remote lithotripsy, then the use of a citrate mixture allows to almost halve the relapse rate of calcium-oxalate calculus formation.
Osteopathy and citrates
Despite the widespread promotion of a healthy lifestyle, timely medical examination and registration of women planning motherhood, a disease such as rickets is still a frequent violation of the health of newborn children, affecting a growing body. A lack of vitamin D3 and calcium are the main causes of this problem. To eliminate it, specialists recommend preparations containing a complex of vitamins and minerals, including calcium, which is so important for the formation of the bone apparatus.
But such therapy can affect the functionality of the urinary system due to the potential for the formation of calculi in the kidneys and urine. At the same time, citrates contribute to the active absorption of calcium from the gastrointestinal tract and the process of ossification, inhibit acidosis. Many parents of children, as well as those adults who should take drugs to strengthen the skeletal system, are wondering if a citrate mixture is necessary for rickets. The answer can only be given by a specialist. But according to research data, citrate mixtures of 2 grams of citric acid and 3.5 grams of citric acid sodium, diluted in 100 ml of water, can reduce the intake of vitamin D and calcium preparations by almost half.
When should citrates not be taken?
Citrate mixtures to remove calculi are an effective medicine, but, like any other drugs, they have their contraindications. It:
- metabolic alkalosis;
- hypersensitivity;
- salt-free diet for hypertension;
- urinary tract infections caused by urea-splitting microorganisms;
- renal failure in both acute and chronic form;
- urine pH above 7.
Pregnancy and the period of breastfeeding are not contraindications, only a specialist consultation is necessary. But clinical trials regarding the intake of citrate mixtures by children under 12 years of age have not been conducted, therefore, for younger children, the intake of this group of drugs is undesirable.
Folk methods of dissolving stones
In addition to drugs that dissolve stones in the urinary system, many people use traditional medicine recipes in their treatment. This is mainly, of course, decoctions, infusions, teas on medicinal plants. For example, decoctions of the mountaineer, bird, larch, apples, sunflower root. Unfortunately, in many cases, such treatment is effective only for preventive purposes, it is impossible to dissolve calculi that have already appeared, especially large ones, with herbal recipes. But there are traditional medicine products that have passed many years of testing, which are a citrate mixture. The recipe is suggested below.
Tasty and healthy
One of the decades-proven ways to get rid of small stones in the kidneys and bladder is as follows:
- Wash 4 large lemons, cut into slices;
- in a jar of dark glass put 300 grams of clover or mountain honey;
- add prepared lemons to honey, mix everything;
- let it brew for 2 days.
Such a medicine is a kind of citrate mixture. The recipe does not contain any unnecessary ingredients, as it contains only two natural ingredients. Take it for 1-2 tablespoons after each meal, drinking plenty of water. It should be remembered that during treatment or for the prevention of nephrourolithiasis, water must be drunk at least 1.5-2 liters per day. Water should be purified, not mineral.
Another way to help the body deal with urolithiasis is to use lemon jam. It, of course, is not a citrate mixture, but the instructions for use indicate that it can be taken as a medicine, enjoying the pleasure of tea drinking, for a rather long time. Lemons and sugar are taken in a ratio of 1: 1 by volume, and lemons are pre-washed with warm water and finely chopped. The jam is cooked over low heat, stirring occasionally. The readiness of a tasty medicine is checked by dropping a drop on a saucer: it should not spread.
Reviews from experts
According to most experts, urologists, a citrate mixture is an effective drug in the fight against urate or urate-oxalate calculi, localized in the kidneys or bladder. Drugs exert their adequate effect if taken in strict accordance with the recommendations of the treating specialist. The nuance in such therapy is the duration of use and inefficiency in the fight against stones of phosphate or oxalate origin.
Patient Reviews
Those who suffer from urolithiasis know how painful it is, with frequent exacerbations and a constant threat of surgical intervention. Therefore, the use of drugs that can help defeat the disease, for many is a way out of this situation. According to many patients, a citrate mixture is an effective way to remove stones from the kidneys or bladder without resorting to surgery. People mostly leave positive reviews of such drugs, but many believe that long-term treatment is a significant minus of such drugs.
Deposition of stones in the urinary system is a serious problem that has a negative effect on the condition of the whole organism. Preparations with such a component as a citrate mixture are capable of exerting a prophylactic and therapeutic effect, but only if recommended by a specialist according to the results of the examination.