By the presence of uric acid salts in urine, the degree and nature of the metabolism of purines, which come with food and from the cells of an individual's body, is estimated. The reason for the formation of salt crystals in the sediment is considered to be an increased uric acid content in urine. This condition is characteristic of serious ailments - urolithiasis, gout and others. In addition, a high concentration of acid changes the internal acidity of the body. Read more about this in the article.
What is uric acid?
A toxic product resulting from the breakdown of proteins and purines, which enter the structure of most cells, and also enter the body from the outside. For example, with food, called uric acid. The intestinal mucosa, as well as the liver, synthesize an enzyme substance that breaks down this compound into uric acid. In a practically healthy individual, it is formed from twelve to thirty grams. This is an absolutely normal process and is due to purine metabolism. Having previously dissolved in the blood, it enters the kidneys, undergoes filtration and leaves the body. About seventy percent of it is excreted with urine, the remaining thirty percent penetrate the digestive tract. One part is excreted during the act of defecation, and the other is absorbed by intestinal microorganisms. An increase in the concentration of uric acid negatively affects the state of health. In this case, it is excreted by the kidneys in the form of crystals, since it does not dissolve in water.
Salts of uric acid, which should not be contained in urine during the normal functioning of all organs and systems of the body. Nevertheless, their single identification is not considered a deviation and is quite acceptable. Excess salts and acids contribute to factors such as:
- failure of water-salt balance;
- changes in blood properties;
- acidic environment of urine;
- infectious processes in the urinary tract;
- diabetes;
- excessive intake of foods containing a large number of purines, as well as alcohol;
- AIDS;
- cancer;
- drug use;
- regular intake of diuretics.
As a result, an excess of uric acid accumulates in organs and systems in the form of sediment. In the urinary system, stones are formed that provoke severe pain, and putting it back in the joints leads to the development of gout and arthritis. In addition, it is the cause of pathological conditions such as arthrosis, rheumatism, osteochondrosis.
Urine research
Urine acid in the urine indicates a failure of purine metabolism, while it becomes brick in color. Biomaterial for analysis is collected in a dry and clean container, during the day. After collecting, indicate its volume on the flask. Next, about fifty milliliters are mixed and cast. They must be delivered to the laboratory of the institution for research.
The content of uric acid is influenced not only by the diet, but also by the work of the kidneys, medication, nucleotide exchange and more. In healthy individuals, its concentration increases if the foods consumed have a high purine content and, conversely, decreases with a low purine diet. A uric acid salt test is recommended for:
- lead poisoning;
- blood diseases;
- suspected food deficiency of folic acid;
- diagnosis of endocrine ailments and malfunctions of purine metabolism.
An overestimated level of this indicator is observed in pathological conditions such as viral hepatitis, epilepsy, gout, leukemia, lobar pneumonia and some other ailments. Concentration below acceptable values is recorded with muscle atrophy, lead poisoning, folic acid deficiency, intake of quinine, potassium iodide and atropine.
Causes of Uraturia
Salts of uric acid in the urine appear as a result of various physiological disorders and malnutrition. In the first case, the provocative factors are:
- Diseases - some types of leukemia, gout, inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system. In these cases, uraturia is a concomitant effect.
- Failure of the kidneys - their omission, circulatory disorders in the renal arteries, blood clots, atherosclerosis. Staying for a long time at high temperatures.
- Violation of water-salt metabolism - excessive physical exertion, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of ability to quickly replenish the body with liquid.
- Taking medications - anesthetics, antibiotics, analgesics, NSAIDs.
The following are foods whose excessive intake contributes to the failure of metabolic processes, the result of which is the precipitation of uric acid salts in the urine in the form of sediment:
- alcohol-containing drinks;
- legumes;
- Tomatoes
- smoked mushrooms;
- canned food;
- spinach;
- fatty protein foods, mainly of animal origin;
- as well as spicy dishes and strong tea.
Urata
These are sodium and potassium salts. Their excess leads to the appearance of crystals, which appear in urine as a precipitate. A large number of urates in the urine leads to the formation of stones in the bladder, kidneys, as well as the urinary ducts. This situation occurs with prolonged starvation, diabetes mellitus, excessive intake of protein foods, excessive physical exertion, and fever. The main reason for their appearance is a failure of balance in the body, which occurred for the following reasons:
- hereditary predisposition;
- monotonous food;
- lingering stress;
- a history of urinary tract infections;
- uncontrolled intake of certain groups of medicines;
- leukemia;
- thrombosis;
- pancreatitis
- hepatitis;
- pyelonephritis;
- omission of the kidney;
- gout.
Urate in urine in large quantities promotes crystallization of stones, which negatively affects the body, as it loses water. Poisoning and intoxication provoke diarrhea and vomiting. Hard physical work, prolonged exposure to damp and cold rooms, and exposure to the scorching sun accelerate the formation of urates. Some products also contribute to their increase:
- drinks containing raspberries, viburnum and linden;
- canned food;
- meat and fish broths;
- pork;
- veal;
- offal;
- spices;
- smoked meats;
- spice;
- almost all legumes;
- spinach;
- cabbage;
- sorrel;
- bow.
Over time, the size of the stones only increases, and their movement from the kidneys to the bladder causes an inflammatory process.
Urate in pregnant women. Causes
When carrying a baby, in the female body, changes occur. Therefore, the formation of uric acid salts, which are detected by urine analysis, is possible. In the early stages, the cause of this phenomenon is vomiting and slight dehydration, which is typical for toxicosis. If the level of urate slightly exceeds the permissible limit, then there is no cause for concern. With a significant increase, the doctor may suspect:
- Violation of the future mom's balanced diet.
- Low fluid intake, resulting in dehydration.
- Violation of urine discharge, leading to inflammatory processes in the genitourinary organs.
Prolonged and severe toxicosis, in which urate is constantly present in the urine, requires observation and treatment of women in stationary conditions
Urate in a child. Causes
The appearance of uric acid salts in children in urine does not at all mean a health problem. Often they are formed due to an incompletely formed urinary system. The use of a large number of fish and meat products also acts as a provocative factor. Incorrect preparation for it also affects the results of the analysis. For example, urine collection is carried out while taking antibacterial or antipyretic drugs, vomiting or diarrhea, as well as high fever. In addition, refusal of food, prolonged exposure to the sun, excessive consumption of tomatoes, sweets, cheese and some other products affect the result. If the doctor reveals that any of the above factors has occurred, then he will recommend adjusting the diet. In the absence of effect, instrumental and other types of examinations are indicated. The content of a large number of urates indicates kidney stones, an imbalance of microflora, the presence of parasites in the intestines, etc. If the child's parents are diagnosed with gout, diabetes, obesity, diseases associated with the spine, then he should be under constant medical supervision at a health institution at the place of residence, as it belongs to the risk group.
Symptomatology
It is rather difficult to diagnose uraturia in the early stages without carrying out laboratory tests, that is, a condition in which a large amount of uric acid salts is in urine, since it does not manifest itself externally. Symptoms appear when kidney stones form or an infectious inflammatory process occurs. The occurrence of such conditions is preceded by:
- lack of vitamins of group B;
- long-term use of anesthetics;
- unbalanced diet;
- increased uric acid synthesis;
- low urine formation rate;
- passive lifestyle.
The following are signs that indicate that the individual has serious problems with the urinary system:
- temperature rise;
- increased pressure for no reason;
- the appearance in urine of blood;
- severe pain in the abdomen and lumbar region, while pain is felt in the lower limb and groin;
- weakness;
- nausea and vomiting;
- apathy.
Babies have a slightly different clinic: high activity, sleep disturbance, tearfulness. They require constant attention and affection. At the same time, the child is ahead of his peers in the pace of development. In this case, an untimely appeal to the doctor is fraught with serious consequences:
- The occurrence of constipation.
- Vomiting in the morning, while intracranial pressure is normal.
- Laying uric acid crystals under the dermis, as well as in the bags of the joints.
- Asthmatic attacks of unknown etiology.
- Itchy eczema, in which a causal relationship is not traced.
Diagnostic Methods
Diagnostic measures begin with a history and examination of the individual. Next, it is assigned:
- Clinical analysis of urine is the simplest and most reliable method for detecting uric acid in urine. Precipitation of bright yellow or reddish-brown color indicates the presence of crystals of potassium salts, sodium. Thanks to this study, a malfunction in the kidneys, anemia, is detected.
- Ultrasound and radiography - with their help reveal stones and sand.
- Urography - shows the changes that have occurred with the kidneys.
- CT - gives a complete picture of the available stones, including their shape and size.
Excretion of uric acid salts
To do this, it is very important to adjust the power. Be sure to exclude foods that contain a large number of purines. Include in diet:
- vegetables, for example potatoes;
- cereal crops;
- fruits - apricots, plums, apples, pears.
Drink mineral alkaline water daily.
Alternative methods exist that lead to a reduction in urate. Among them are infusions from medicinal plant materials. To prepare them, take twenty grams of grass and pour two hundred milliliters of hot water, insist for half an hour.
Widely used nettle, lingonberry, birch. The course and dose are prescribed by the doctor.
Drug therapy is connected with a natural excess of uric acid levels, and its insufficient excretion when using the above methods. If gout or stone formation is suspected, complex therapy is selected to reduce the concentration of urates.
Drug treatment
What dissolves uric acid salts? Another important issue. The pharmaceutical industry has a wide range of medications that help dissolve stones and remove acid.
Pharmacotherapy and a properly selected diet will help to cope with urates, most often they use:
- "Potassium magnesium asparaginate" - actively removes oxalates and urates. It is forbidden to take in the presence of phosphate salts.
- "Allopurinol" - inhibits the formation of uric acid. As a result, the number of urates decreases.
- "Desurik" - inhibits the absorption of uric acid and increases its excretion by the kidneys.
- "Blemaren" - are effervescent tablets in which sodium bicarbonate and citric acid are the active ingredients. They create an alkaline environment, due to this, the dissolution of uric acid salts is facilitated, and they are easily excreted from the body along with urine.
- "Marelin" - promotes the discharge of calculi, is used for urolithiasis.
- "Magurlite" - dissolves and prevents the re-occurrence of stones. Shifting the acidity of urine to the alkaline side.
- “Fitolizin”, “Urolesan”, “Kanefron” - they do not dissolve salts. They are used to normalize the outflow of urine.
Joint damage
The reason for the deposition of uric acid salts in the joints and tissues located near them is a failure of purine metabolism. Which leads to a disease such as gout. This is due to the inability of the kidneys to remove the necessary amount of acid from the body of the individual. Urate promotes the development of the inflammatory process, that is, gouty arthritis. His clinic is characterized by movement restriction and severe pain. The joints of the feet and hands are most often affected. In addition, salts are deposited in the subcutaneous tissue and in soft tissues, in which peculiar nodules are formed, called tofus.
The initial signs of salt deposition in this pathology are swelling of the joints, redness and pain. At the stage of the development of the disease, symptoms appear only after excessive physical exertion, and then, and at rest. At the first night's attack, the pain syndrome affects the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe.