Urine crystals form when at that place are likewise many minerals in a person's urine. They oft occur in the kidneys.

When there is an excessive buildup of one or more minerals, a urine crystal can class into a rock.

Typically, urine crystals will crusade express signs and symptoms unless large enough stones develop. When this occurs, the stone may pass naturally out of the body, or some medical intervention may be necessary to help remove the stone.

Here, we look at some of the nigh common types of urine crystals, including their causes, symptoms, and potential treatment options.

a woman in a bathrobe holding her back because she has lower back pain due to urine crystals Share on Pinterest
A person with urine crystals may experience lower dorsum hurting on one side.

Pocket-size urine crystals may not ever cause symptoms. Withal, a person with larger urinary stones, or stones that are moving through the urinary tract, may experience a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including:

  • claret in the urine
  • nausea
  • lower dorsum pain on either the left or right side
  • frequent urge to urinate
  • difficulty passing urine
  • called-for awareness while urinating
  • pelvic hurting and discomfort
  • cloudy urine
  • foul smelling urine
  • fever, if the stone has acquired an infection

Urine crystals course when an excessive number of minerals are nowadays in the urine. Different types of urine crystals class for unlike reasons.

Sometimes, eating a nutrition likewise high in protein or table salt can cause urine crystals to form. Dehydration from not drinking enough fluids tin can also lead to the formation of urine crystals.

In some cases, an underlying health condition may cause urine crystals, and the person volition need treatment for the status.

There are several dissimilar types of urine crystals. The type of urine crystal depends on the deviation in the chemicals that brand up the crystal, likewise as the underlying cause of the buildup.

The following are some of the nearly common types of urine crystals that may appear in a urine exam:

Struvite

Struvite is a type of urine crystal that consists of phosphate, ammonium, magnesium, and calcium.

Struvite typically forms as a result of a urinary tract infection (UTI) or when a person has difficulty emptying their float.

Uric acrid stones

According to a written report on uric acid stones, the primary crusade of these stones is highly acidic urine. The authors also notation that less mutual causes can include:

  • a loftier level of uric acid
  • low urine volume
  • metabolic syndrome, which is several weather that occur together and increase a person's adventure of center disease, diabetes, and stroke
  • gout, which is pain and inflammation due to an excess of uric acid
  • excess poly peptide

Treatment for uric acid stones typically includes dietary changes and an increase in daily liquid intake.

Calcium oxalate

According to the National Kidney Foundation, calcium oxalate stones are the most common blazon of kidney stone. Having too much oxalate in the urine tin cause these stones to grade.

Oxalate is a common chemical that is present in a range of foods. As a person digests foods, the kidneys remove oxalate through the urine.

If a person is not well-hydrated, chemicals can stick together and create a stone that may somewhen pass or become stuck in the kidney.

Some people are more at chance than others of developing calcium oxalate stones. Run a risk factors include:

  • digestive diseases, such equally irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or Crohn's disease
  • obesity
  • a diet high in poly peptide, sodium, saccharide, or oxalate
  • aridity
  • other medical weather, such every bit Paring'south affliction

Cystine stones

Cystine stones are another blazon of stone that forms in the kidneys or urinary tract. Co-ordinate to the National Kidney Foundation, cystine stones are typically larger than other kidney stones and tend to recur.

Cystinuria causes cystine stones. Cystinuria is a condition in which a substance chosen cystine gets into a person's urine. When too much is present, a stone may class.

Cystinuria is a genetic disorder, and information technology is non common.

If urine crystals form into stones, a person is at risk of developing complications. According to the National Kidney Foundation, some complications of larger, untreated stones include:

  • blockage of the ureter
  • impairment to the kidneys
  • harm to the bladder
  • kidney infections
  • UTIs

If the crystals do not form into stones, or if the stones are modest plenty, they volition pass out of a person'south body in their urine. Smaller stones may or may non cause symptoms and are unlikely to cause complications.

Not all urine crystals warrant a trip to the physician. However, a person should see their doctor if they are having whatsoever urinary symptoms, such as pain, frequent urination, or fever.

A person should besides see their doctor about urine crystals if they go them oftentimes. It is possible that dietary changes may help. In some cases, treatment for an underlying health condition may be necessary to help prevent futurity stones from forming.

According to the National Plant of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a dr. will normally order a 24 hr urine sample post-obit the passing or treatment of a urine stone.

During this examination, the person will collect samples of their urine over 24 hours, which volition go to a lab for analysis. The results tin assist the medico determine whether the person is producing enough urine in a day and if they take also many minerals in their urine.

A dr. will likely also ask about the person's symptoms. They may club additional tests to check for other underlying health issues.

Treatment will depend on the type of rock that a person has developed or is decumbent to developing. In some cases, a physician may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers and advise the person to increase their fluid intake to help flush the stone out.

If the stone has grown also large, a doctor may have to help break it up. They can use several different methods to suspension upward a larger stone, including:

  • shock wave lithotripsy, which breaks the stone into small pieces
  • cystoscopy and ureteroscopy, which allow the doc to find and pause up or remove a larger stone
  • percutaneous nephrolithotomy, which also allows the doctor to view and remove a larger rock

Drinking enough water throughout the day and staying well-hydrated helps prevent crystals from forming in the urine.

If a person consumes too much of a sure mineral, a dr. volition likely recommend a diet that minimizes or eliminates that particular mineral.

Finally, a doc may prescribe medications or supplements to help foreclose the formation of stones. Some medications and supplements that a doctor may prescribe include:

  • potassium citrate
  • antibiotics
  • diuretics
  • allopurinol, for uric acrid
  • mercaptopropionyl glycine, which doctors often use to care for heart issues

Urine crystals are not necessarily a cause for concern. In many cases, they tin laissez passer on their own with minimal intervention.

Many have beneficial and preventable conditions, such as dehydration or the excessive consumption of a certain food.

If people require treatment, a doctor may advise extra fluid intake and medications to slow pain. In some cases, if the stone is large and in a potentially harmful location, a doctor may remove the stone.