Crystals in Urine
Your kidneys have been given the task of filtering your blood which in turn produces urine that is made of waste matter and water that was separated from your blood when it was filtered by your kidneys. The compounds of your urine are uric acid, calcium, carbon, and nitrogen. Because your urine is considered a solution all of these other compounds of your bloods are also liquid but they can form crystals in your in your urine for a variety of reasons. It can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender, or race.
Crystals in Urine Symptoms
The most common symptom of having crystals in urine is the change in the color of your urine. Normally when you urinate the urine is a light yellow color but if you have crystals in your urine that color is not seen and the urine may also have a cloudy look to it. At other times there may no particular symptoms that could indicate that you have crystals in urine. The best rule of thumb to follow is if you notice any change in your urine, whether it is texture or color, you need to see your physician for a urinalysis test to see if there are crystals in your urine.
Causes of Crystals in Urine
If it is found that you have a lot of crystals in urine it could indicate that there is something wrong in your urinary system which includes your bladder, ureters, kidneys, or urethra. Some of the other causes can include:
Urine pH changes
If the pH value of your urine is not within the normal range it could indicate that you are likely to form crystals. The pH scale also will determine if the urine is alkaline or acidic. If the pH value is less than seven your urine is acidic and above seven it is considered alkaline. If there are calcium oxalate crystals is found in your urine it can indicate that your urine has a strong acidic nature. If there is calcium phosphate crystals found in your urine it generally means that your urine is alkaline.
Being dehydrated
When your body is dehydrated it will allow a few of the compounds found in your urine to solidify and can result in crystals forming in your urine. If your body is deprived of enough water or other fluids concentrations of certain compounds like uric acid can drastically increase which can result in the development of uric acid crystals being found in your urine. It has been shown in studies that if infants start to pee crystals it can be because they are dehydrated.
A urinary tract infection
The reason that many people find crystals in urine when they have a urinary tract infection is because the bacteria that is causing this infection is increasing the pH value of your urine. This will make your urine alkaline. When a person has a change in their pH values this can promote the formation of crystals.
Urolithiasis
This is the medical term for bladder stones and can happen if you are urinating crystals for a long period of time. Many people do not show any symptoms for this medical condition because the stones are such a small size. These stones are made of hardened crystalline material. If a large crystal becomes trapped in your bladder you could have consistent pain in your abdominal area.
Diet
If you eat a diet that consists of a large amount of protein it could lead to crystals in urine. This is because a large amount of protein can increase the uric acid and calcium content in your urine and can cause a change in the concentration of your urine. It will ultimately lead to urine crystals developing. If you eat too many foods that are rich in protein every day it can also increase the acidity of your urine.
Crystals in Urine Treatment
The one thing that you can do at home to help prevent the formation of crystals in urine is to drink a lot of water on a daily basis. If you think you may have crystals in urine you need to see your physician so they can do a urinalysis to determine if you do. If you do have crystals in your urine your physician may have you monitor how much protein you are eating each day. If it is found that your diet is high in protein you should reduce the amount of sardines, anchovies, and organ meat, like liver, that you are eating. You should instead start eating ham, lentils, beans, chicken, beef, and salmon.
You should also start to eat foods that are oxalate rich such as coffee, chocolate, spinach, sweet potatoes, and peanuts to increase the acidity in your urine and manage the right pH value of your urine. You should also reduce the amount of salty foods you eat such as fried items. Chips, pickles, and fast food because these are the foods that can make your urine more acidic by increase the calcium content in your urine.
If you have a urinary tract infection your physician will prescribe an antibiotic to get rid of the bacteria causing the infections. You should also not try to hold your urine for a long period of time but go when you have the urge to go.
