Oxalate Kidney Stones (oxalaturia) - Treatment, Symptoms

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 17:49

Oxalate kidney stones

Oxalaturia is the process of the appearance of crystals from calcium oxalate and ammonium oxalate salts. The appearance of pathology is provoked by violations of the diet and the chemical composition of water. If the patient's immunity is impaired, he has an overly concentrated urine - crystals in the renal cups are transformed into oxalate stones.

Content:

• What do oxalate kidney stones look like?
• Reasons for the formation of oxalates
• The clinical picture of the presence of oxalate stones
• Diagnostics
• Treatment methods
• Drug treatment
• Medicinal herbs that dissolve oxalate stones
• Diet for oxalate kidney stones
• Prevention
• Which doctor should I go to?

What do oxalate kidney stones look like?

These are formations of an indeterminate shape, dark brown or black, with thorns. They are very hard, have an uneven surface, so they often cause bleeding due to damage to the tissues of the urinary system. If oxalate has been the culprit for multiple bleeding, it has a dark hue. Light stones did not damage the tissue.

The size range of oxalate is from a few millimeters to 4 centimeters or more.

With the development of pyelonephritis or with reduced fluid intake, oxalates are transformed into coral-like formations that occupy the entire cavity of the kidney.

Laminated oxalate is obtained by mixing inorganic calcium salts with other inorganic minerals.

Reasons for the formation of oxalates

According to medical research, the following reasons for the formation of oxalate conglomerates are distinguished:

• Genetic predisposition to the formation of oxalates;
• Disorders of oxalic acid metabolism in the patient's body;
• Lack of magnesium in food and water;
• Complicated course of the urinary system disease;
• Digestive tract surgery;
• Diabetes mellitus, Crohn's disease, history of pyelonephritis;
• Frequent stress;
• A combination of a lack of vitamin B ₆ with an excess of vitamin C.

The clinical picture of the presence of oxalate stones

Severe symptoms of the presence of oxalates in the kidneys are a signal that it is necessary to undergo an examination, to get a doctor's consultation and treatment.

Symptoms that the kidneys contain oxalates:

• Oxalaturia;
• Hematuria (presence of blood in the urine);
• Pain in the lower abdomen, extending to the lower back, groin, genitals;
• Impurities of pus in the urine;
• In laboratory research - protein and leukocytes in the urine;
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Feeling tired, fatigue.

Indicators of laboratory tests of blood and urine:

• Elevated blood oxalate levels;
• Microhematuria;
• Low proteinuria - up to 0.066%;
• The content of oxalate crystals in urine is 200-400 mg, glyoxylic acid and glycolate - up to 100 mg;
• Moderate tubular dysfunction;
• Markers of cell membrane instability and increased urine crystal-forming ability.

For the initial examination, the patient must send daily urine for creatinine, glycolate and oxalates, blood for plasma oxalates.

In preschool children, only an attack of renal colic can indicate the presence of oxalates, since oxalate stones form in them asymptomatically.

To manage with minimally invasive methods of treatment and prevent the transition of small oxalates into conglomerates, you need to see a doctor at the first sign of trouble.

Diagnostics

The usual general urinalysis is quite informative for the diagnosis of urolithiasis and the chemical composition of stones. Most often these are calcium salts - carbonates, oxalates, phosphates.

Diagnostic measures for the determination of oxalates:

• X-ray of the kidneys;
• Ultrasound and kidney scan;
• Bacterial urine culture;
• Contrast urography;
• Chromocystoscopy;

Treatment methods

It is impossible to dissolve oxalates; it is not always possible to crush them due to their extremely dense structure. Large conglomerates are removed during surgery.

Surgical methods:

• Endoscopic surgery;
• Classic open surgery.

Small oxalates are crushed using ultrasound, with its help, the fragments are removed from the body.

Microliths and sand are eliminated using conservative therapy to cleanse the urinary system. A system of preventive measures will help prevent the re-formation of stones.

Stages of conservative therapy:

• Drinking at least 2 liters of liquid to cleanse organs and systems from salts and remove oxalates.
• Feasible regular physical education to remove sand and microliths. Jumping and running are most beneficial.
• Fulfillment of the doctor's recommendations - taking medications to remove oxalates and normalize metabolism.

Drug treatment

Preparations for dissolving and removing oxalates are selected according to the principle of an integrated approach:

• With antimicrobial action;
• Anti-inflammatory properties;
• Helping to dissolve oxalates and remove them from the body.

If during examination the patient is diagnosed with an infection, antibacterial agents, sulfonamides are prescribed. Antispasmodics help to painlessly accompany the process of excretion of oxalates, without damaging the urinary tract.

An approximate scheme of drug therapy for the detection of oxalate conglomerates:

• The Blemaren preparation for maintaining urine pH within normal limits has a wide range of medicinal properties:

  1. Dissolution of oxalates;
  2. Prevention of their appearance;
  3. Preparation for surgical intervention for the destruction of oxalates;
  4. Improving the efficiency of the operation.
• Medicines Kanefron, Fitolysin, Cyston - contribute to the elimination of uric acid;
• Baralgin, No-shpa relieve pain;
• Vitamins E, A, B ₆ serve to prevent the formation of oxalate stones, normalize metabolism.
• Asparkam and preparations containing magnesium.

Self-medication with drugs will lead to premature transport of the oxalate stone through the urinary tract. Its sharp thorns injure the tissues of the genitourinary system, bringing severe pain to the patient.

The surest tactic is to crush the stone into small fragments and remove these remnants in the most gentle way.

Medicinal herbs that dissolve oxalate stones

The elimination of oxalates is facilitated by infusions and decoctions of medicinal plants:

• A mixture of violets and bearberry;
• Nettle leaf;
• Birch buds and leaves;
• Black elderberry;
• The grass is half-dead;
• Peppermint herb.

To soften, crush and remove stones, use cucumber, pumpkin and squash juice.

Kidney teas and herbal teas with a diuretic effect:

• Bearberry,
• Corn silk;
• Knotweed herb;
• Grass "bear's ear".

It is categorically contraindicated in the presence of oxalates, the use of beetroot juice.

Read More: List of Most Effective Herbs to Help Get Rid of Kidney Stones

Diet for oxalate kidney stones

If the balance of oxalic acid is disturbed in the body, there is often a violation of the functioning of the kidneys and dangerous changes in their structure.

Recommended meals

Strictly Restricted Products

Boiled lean meat, fish, poultry; Boiled eggs, sausages, sausage; Dairy products (with the exception of increased calcium in the urine, exacerbation of pyelonephritis); Butter and vegetable oil; Unsalted lard; Wheat and rye bread made from wholemeal flour, with the addition of bran; Pasta, buckwheat, millet, pearl barley; Rosehip decoctions, dried fruit compote, fruit drinks, kvass; Coffee with milk; Vegetables: pumpkin, turnip, cucumber, cabbage, eggplant, potatoes, peas, red beans; Fruits: bananas, apricots, apples, plums, grapes, watermelons; Nuts.

By-products (liver, kidneys, brains), jellied dishes on gelatin; Salty fish; Legumes; Salty cheeses; Strong meat, fish, mushroom broths, sauces; Canned food; Smoked products; Caviar; Pepper, salt, mustard; Sweets, jam, chocolate; Strong coffee, cocoa; Vegetables: beets, sorrel, spinach, rhubarb, celery, parsley, lettuce; Fruits: pears, strawberries, gooseberries, blueberries, black currants, sour apples; Mushrooms; Pickles.

The basic principles of a therapeutic diet:

• Introduction to the diet of foods containing calcium;
• Drinking a lot of water (up to 3 liters), 2 liters of which is pure still water;
• Restriction in the diet of salt, sugar, animal products;
• Limiting products containing oxalic acid;
• A ban on the use of spices, pickles and marinades, canned food, alcohol.

The total calorie content of the diet is 2800 calories. Food is taken in small portions, the daily diet is divided into 5 meals. The development of dietary nutrition for a patient with oxalates should be based on data on his health status.

Prevention

In order to prevent the formation of oxalate stones, it is enough to follow simple rules:

• Include a sufficient amount of clean water in the diet;
• Do not overcool;
• Avoid a sedentary lifestyle, engage in feasible physical education or sports;
• Build your diet correctly by avoiding foods high in oxalic acid

Which doctor should I go to?

Timely diagnosis and rapid elimination of oxalate stones from the kidneys will help to avoid serious complications. Similar problems are dealt with by a nephrologist who is a specialized specialist in this area.

Author of the article: Lebedev Andrey Sergeevich | Urologist

Education: Diploma in the specialty "Andrology" received after completing residency at the Department of Endoscopic Urology of the Russian Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education in the urological center of the Central Clinical Hospital No. 1 of JSC Russian Railways (2007). Postgraduate studies were completed here by 2010.