How are urethral stones formed

Urethral stones are one of the most common urological diseases in daily life, and most of the patients are men. As the name suggests, urethral stones are stones formed in the bladder. The harm and pain caused by urethral stones to patients are huge. It is closely related to bacterial infections and careless living habits. So how are urethral stones formed? Let’s take a look at it below.

1. Epidemiological factors

Epidemiological factors mainly include age, gender, occupation, socioeconomic status, dietary composition and structure, water intake, climate, metabolism and genetics. During World War II, the incidence of upper urinary tract stones decreased, while the incidence increased significantly during the interval and in the past four decades, suggesting that it is related to changes in economic income and dietary structure. Experiments have shown that an increase in animal protein and refined sugar and a decrease in fiber in the diet promote the formation of upper urinary tract stones. Drinking plenty of water to dilute the urine can reduce the formation of crystals in the urine. Relatively high temperature environment and reduced activity are also influencing factors, but occupation and climate are not the only determining factors.

2. Urine factors

Urine factors mainly include increased excretion of calcium, oxalic acid and uric acid in urine. Long-term bed rest, hyperparathyroidism (reabsorptive hypercalciuria), idiopathic hypercalciuria (absorptive hypercalciuria - increased intestinal calcium absorption or renal hypercalciuria - decreased tubular calcium reabsorption), other metabolic abnormalities and renal tubular acidosis all increase urinary calcium excretion. Gout, persistent acidic urine, chronic diarrhea and thiazide diuretics all increase uric acid excretion, endogenous oxalic acid synthesis or intestinal absorption of oxalic acid, which can cause hyperoxaluria.

Uric acid decreases and pH increases. The decrease in urine volume increases the concentration of salts and organic substances. The content of substances that inhibit crystal formation in urine is reduced, such as citric acid, pyrophosphate, magnesium, acidic mucopolysaccharides, and certain trace elements .

3. Abnormal anatomical structure

Abnormal anatomical structure is also one of the factors that cause urethral stones. For example, urinary tract obstruction leads to the deposition of crystals or matrix in areas with poor drainage, urine retention and secondary urinary tract infection, which is conducive to stone formation. The cause of most calcium oxalate stones is unknown. Calcium phosphate and ammonium magnesium phosphate stones are associated with infection and obstruction. Uric acid stones are related to gout, etc.

The above is an introduction to how urethral stones are formed. We should avoid these factors to prevent the formation of urethral stones.