What are they?
Cystine kidney stones form when the patient suffers from a genetic disorder that prevents the reabsorption of cystine. It should be noted that this type of kidney stone is closely related to urinary pH. For this reason, patients with this type of kidney stone should focus on increasing urinary pH (above 7). In addition, water intake and exercise should be increased [1], [2].
How to avoid or prevent them? [1]–[3]
1. Drink enough fluids
As we have mentioned on other occasions (uric acid kidney stones, calcium oxalate kidney stones, calcium phosphate stones, infectious stones), don't forget that the most important thing to prevent stones is to drink 2 to 3 liters of fluid daily (preferably water). We will know that it is enough when the color of our urine is almost transparent.
2. Increase your physical activity
As we have already mentioned on other occasions (uric acid kidney stones, calcium oxalate kidney stones, calcium phosphate stones, infectious stones), an increase in physical activity has been shown to be associated with a decreased risk of stone formation [4].
3. Control and increase your urinary pH
The process of cystine kidney stone formation is associated with a specific urinary pH range (below 7). For this reason, the recommendation is to maintain a preventive range above 7 [2].
We also recommend Lit-Control pH Meter and myLit-Control App to measure your urinary pH and track your progress.
References:
[1] S. Tekgül et al., “EAU Guidelines on Urolithiasis,” Eur. Assoc. Urol., vol. 69, no. 3, pp. 475–482, 2016.
[2] F. Grases, A. Costa-Bauzá, I. Gomila, M. Ramis, A. García-Raja, and R. M. Prieto, “Urinary pH and renal lithiasis,” Urol. Res., vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 41–46, 2012.
[3] P. M. Ferraro and M. Bargagli, “Dietetic and lifestyle recommendations for stone formers.,” Arch. Esp. Urol., vol. 74, no. 1, pp. 112–122, Jan. 2021.
[4] P. M. Ferraro, G. C. Curhan, M. D. Sorensen, G. Gambaro, and E. N. Taylor, “Physical Activity, Energy Intake and the Risk of Incident Kidney Stones,” J. Urol., vol. 193, no. 3, pp. 864–868, 2015.
