Patient's question:
Patient Gender: MaleDescription of Symptoms: I suddenly felt abdominal pain in November of this year and went to the hospital for a check-up, where it was diagnosed as kidney stones. I was treated at Shenyang Traditional Chinese Medicine Stone Hospital, undergoing laser lithotripsy and traditional Chinese medicine stone expulsion. The diagnosis was uric acid stones. I don’t know how uric acid stones are formed and whether they are related to diet. What should I pay attention to in the future?
Doctor's answer:
Urinary tract stone disease is very common in clinical practice. Many patients undergo surgical or non-surgical treatment, and the stones are temporarily removed. However, soon after, new stones form, causing great suffering to the patients. In fact, stones can form in various parts of the urinary system, such as the kidneys, renal pelvis, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The formation of urinary tract stones is influenced by factors such as the acidity or alkalinity of urine, the presence of obstruction in the urinary tract, the presence of foreign bodies, and certain other diseases in the body. If patients do not pay attention to their lifestyle, the treated urinary tract stone disease may recur. Therefore, it is crucial to do well in preventing the recurrence of stones.● Changing the stone formation environment
Studies show that the composition of urinary stones is mostly calcium oxalate, accounting for about 80%. In some regions, uric acid stones are also not uncommon. These stones often form in acidic urine environments. Some other types of stones (e.g., calcium phosphate stones) form in alkaline urine environments. Therefore, analyzing the composition of stones naturally excreted or surgically removed from patients and then artificially altering the acidity or alkalinity of urine through medication or dietary adjustments is of great significance for preventing stone formation and treating stone disease.
● Paying attention to dietary structure
The formation of stones is related to dietary structure. Therefore, adjusting the dietary structure can help prevent recurrence. Depending on the composition of the stones, different dietary management plans should be adopted. For example, patients with calcium oxalate stones should reduce their intake of foods high in oxalate, such as spinach, tomatoes, potatoes, and strawberries.
● Treating certain underlying diseases that cause urinary tract stones
Hyperparathyroidism (e.g., parathyroid adenoma, parathyroid cancer, or hyperplastic changes) can disrupt calcium and phosphorus metabolism in the body, leading to the formation of calcium phosphate stones. In such cases, it is necessary to treat the parathyroid disorder first. Obstructive factors in the urinary tract, such as tumors, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and urethral stricture, can cause urine retention, leading to the "aging" of urine. Deposits of organic matter in the urine that age may grow and become amorphous microstones. Therefore, treating certain underlying diseases that cause urinary tract stones is also very important for preventing recurrence.
● Preventing and treating urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infections are a major local factor in stone formation and directly affect the prevention and treatment of stone disease. Urinary tract infections caused by bacteria such as Proteus, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus can easily trigger stone formation. These bacteria can decompose urea into ammonia, making the urine alkaline and facilitating the precipitation of urates, which leads to stone formation. Additionally, bacteria and the pus clots or necrotic tissue they cause can serve as nuclei for stones, contributing to their formation. Therefore, timely treatment of urinary tract infections is very important for preventing recurrence.
● Taking traditional Chinese medicine
Boiling and drinking water infused with traditional Chinese herbs like Jin Qian Cao () and Hai Jin Sha () at regular intervals can help expel small stones from the body. If possible, consulting a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner to prescribe a simple herbal decoction tailored to one's condition is also beneficial.
● Drinking more water
Developing the habit of drinking more water to increase urine volume, known as "internal cleansing," is helpful for excreting various salts and minerals from the body. Of course, it is important to pay attention to water hygiene and water quality, avoiding the consumption of water with excessively high calcium content.
● Exercising more
Engaging in regular physical activity, such as walking, jogging, or doing gymnastics, is beneficial. On days when you have good stamina, jumping in place can also help prevent the recurrence of urinary tract stones.