Let you know the past and present of urinary stones

Author: Zhong Xin, deputy chief physician of Shenzhen Fourth People's Hospital

Reviewer: Liu Fulin, Chief Physician, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University

In the fast-paced modern life, urinary stones have become a health problem that people cannot ignore. It not only affects people's quality of life, but also may bring a series of health risks. So, how are urinary stones formed? How can we effectively prevent them?

1. The cause of urinary stones

1. Basic functions of the urinary system

To understand how urinary stones are formed, we need to first understand the basic structure and function of the urinary system. The urinary system is mainly composed of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra, which work together to complete the task of filtering blood, forming urine and finally excreting it from the body. The kidneys are the core of this process, which is responsible for filtering waste and excess water from the blood to form urine. The urine then enters the bladder through the ureters for storage and is excreted from the body through the urethra when the time is right.

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2. Stone formation process

So how do stones form in such a "clear division of labor and smooth operation" system? In fact, the formation of urinary stones is closely related to the content of inorganic salts in urine. When the concentration of calcium, oxalic acid, uric acid and other substances in urine is too high, these substances will gradually crystallize and aggregate into stones. These stones can occur in any part of the urinary system, but are most common in the kidneys and bladder.

3. The main factors that induce stones

(1) Insufficient water intake: If you do not drink enough water every day, your urine will become concentrated and the concentration of stone-forming substances will increase, making it easier for stones to form.

(2) Bad eating habits: Excessive intake of high-salt, high-protein, high-calcium, high-oxalate and high-purine foods will increase the concentration of calcium, oxalate, uric acid and other substances in the urine, thereby increasing the risk of stones.

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(3) Irregular lifestyle habits: Irregular lifestyle habits such as staying up late for a long time and overwork may affect the body's endocrine and metabolic functions, indirectly increasing the risk of stones.

2. Prevention strategies for urinary stones

After understanding the causes of stones, we can develop targeted prevention strategies.

1. Drink plenty of water

Ensuring adequate water intake is the key to preventing stones. It is recommended to drink at least 8 glasses of water (about 2 liters) a day, and adjust appropriately according to personal circumstances. It is important to note that you should evenly distribute your drinking time. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink water, but evenly distribute it in different time periods of the day. In addition, avoid sugary drinks. Sugary drinks not only cannot replace water, but may also increase the excretion of calcium in the urine, thereby increasing the risk of stones.

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2. Eat a healthy diet

In daily life, we should maintain a diverse and balanced diet and avoid excessive intake of foods high in salt, protein, calcium, oxalate and purine. We should also eat more fruits and vegetables, which are rich in fiber and vitamins and help promote intestinal peristalsis and urine excretion. In addition, we need to limit the intake of processed foods such as fast food and pickled foods, which often contain high salt and additives.

3. Regular physical examinations

Regular urinary system examinations: B-ultrasound, urine routine and other examinations can detect stones early and take appropriate treatment measures. In addition, you should pay attention to your body. If you have symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and pain when urinating, you should seek medical attention in time to avoid delaying the condition.

4. Maintain good living habits

Maintaining a regular work and rest schedule helps regulate the body's endocrine and metabolic functions, thereby reducing the risk of stones. Staying up late for a long time will disrupt the body's biological clock and metabolic rhythm, increasing the risk of stones, so it is recommended that you try to get enough sleep and avoid staying up late. In addition, you should urinate in time when you feel the urge to urinate, and avoid holding your urine, so as to prevent urine from staying in the bladder for too long and increasing the risk of stones.

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Although urinary stones are a common health problem, we can effectively reduce the risk of their occurrence through preventive measures such as a reasonable diet, adequate water intake, good living habits and regular physical examinations. Let us start paying attention to our urinary system health from now on, take active preventive measures, and keep health with us!