There are three types of kidney stones. Struvite, calcium oxalate and uric acid can all form these painful objects. The first two are not of concern in this matter. However, the uric acid stone definitely is.
Gout is caused by an excess of uric acid in the blood stream. It is a waste product from purine, a component of protein. Usually, the kidneys filter all of it out, but there are times when that doesn’t happen. One is too much intake of purine and the other is kidney damage.
Uric acid stones are formed when the acid lines the upper part of the kidney. As more and more gets deposited, a stone (and sometimes more than one) can form. Most of them are passed harmlessly (though painfully) through the urinary tract.
Uric acid in the blood stream can start to clump together into crystals. Once these crystals are too heavy to be shifted around in the blood, they get dropped off into a joint. It usually starts in the right big toe but it can progress.
When gout and kidney stones go untreated, they can each cause the other to occur. For gout, that is mostly pain and sometimes looks. That’s especially true if it progresses to the nose or to tophi under the skin.
However, untreated kidney stones can be very dangerous. If they get stuck somewhere in the urinary tract, they can block the passage of urine. This often requires a trip to the emergency room.
Worse still is if you continue to go untreated for the root cause; the uric acid. One of the first things that have to be tested is your kidney function. Uric acid crystals can damage the delicate filtration system your kidneys provide. Kidney disease itself often goes unnoticed until late stages, which can be too late for much help.
If you want to reduce your risk of recurrent stones and crystals, you need to watch the purine content in your foods and make sure to remain hydrated. This will help reduce the uric acid load. You may also require medication to help prevent buildup.
Yes, kidney stones and gout are directly related. If you’ve had one, talk to your doctor so you can reduce the chances you’ll have to deal with either problem in the future…and to keep your kidneys healthy.