The urinary system - Urinary Calculi Flashcards
(19 cards)
What are Urinary Calculi?
Urinary calculi are crystalline salts and organic matter that form in the kidneys and bladder (gravel). They may be asymptomatic or cause debilitating pain (renal colic) if a stone lodges in a ureter.
What are the main types of urinary stones?
The main types of urinary stones are: 1. Calcium oxalate (most common), 2. Calcium phosphate, 3. Uric acid, 4. Struvite stones (magnesium ammonium phosphate) caused by chronic bacterial infection.
What symptoms are associated with urinary calculi?
Symptoms include debilitating pain (renal colic), nausea, vomiting, fever, and discomfort when a stone lodges in the ureter.
What is the role of dehydration in urinary stone formation?
Dehydration leads to concentrated urine, allowing minerals and compounds to precipitate out, forming crystals that can become stones.
How does altered urinary pH contribute to urinary stone formation?
An acidic pH promotes calcium oxalate and uric acid stones, while an alkaline pH promotes struvite and calcium phosphate stones.
How does dietary acid load influence stone formation?
A diet high in animal protein, dairy, and soft drinks (phosphoric acid) can increase calcium secretion, decrease citrate secretion, and increase uric acid excretion, all of which can lead to stone formation.
What is the impact of high salt intake on urinary calculi?
High salt intake increases urinary calcium, which may contribute to the formation of calcium-based stones.
How is a low-fiber, high-refined carb, and alcohol diet linked to calcium stones?
A diet low in fiber, high in refined carbohydrates, and alcohol can increase the risk of calcium stones by contributing to lower urinary citrate and higher urinary calcium levels.
What role does calcium supplementation play in urinary calculi?
Calcium supplementation, especially in the absence of sufficient vitamin K2, can increase the risk of calcium stones by not allowing calcium to be stored in the bones properly.
Which foods should be avoided to reduce the risk of urinary calculi?
Avoid oxalate-rich foods such as spinach, rhubarb, strawberries, beetroot, almonds, and cashews. Also, limit purine-rich foods like organ meats, sardines, and chicken.
What is the recommended fluid intake for managing urinary calculi?
Increase fluid intake, drinking at least 8 glasses of distilled or filtered water daily, to help prevent stone formation.
What dietary changes can help reduce urinary calculi formation?
Adopt a plant-based diet high in chlorophyll, reduce animal proteins, increase potassium-rich foods, and avoid alcohol and high salt intake.
How can magnesium help prevent urinary calculi?
Magnesium (600 mg/day) in citrate form increases the solubility of calcium oxalate and reduces the risk of calcium phosphate and calcium oxalate stones.
How can Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) help prevent urinary calculi?
Pyridoxine (25 mg/day) helps reduce the endogenous production and urinary excretion of oxalates, thereby reducing the risk of oxalate-based stones.
How can folate help with uric acid stones?
Folate (5 mg/day) helps reduce uric acid production by enhancing purine scavenging and inhibiting xanthine oxidase, making it beneficial for uric acid stones.
How can cranberry and beetroot help with struvite and calcium phosphate stones?
Cranberry and betaine-rich foods like beetroot can help lower urinary pH, making them beneficial for preventing or managing struvite and calcium phosphate stones.
What are the benefits of stinging nettle leaf for urinary calculi?
Stinging nettle leaf has diuretic and alkalising properties, and can be consumed as a tea (1 tsp per cup, 3 cups per day) to support urinary tract health.
How can lemon juice help manage urinary calculi?
Lemon juice (1 teaspoon every ½ hour for two days) can soften stones by binding to calcium and promoting excretion of the stone.
What is the role of castor oil packs in managing urinary calculi?
Castor oil packs can be applied to the front, sides, and back to reduce inflammation and decrease muscle spasms associated with urinary calculi.
