An informative way to study the condition of internal organs is a copogram. With the help of this examination, it is possible to identify metabolic disturbances, the work of the intestines and stomach, and then prescribe the necessary treatment. The copogram gives the opportunity to detect crystals of salts, in particular oxalates. Crystals are fragments of cell formations that underwent destruction in the process of digestive activity. In feces, it is possible to fix special crystals that are usually found in sputum with bronchial asthma. In medicine, they are known as Charcot-Leiden crystals.
What are Charcot-Leiden crystals
Charcot-Leiden crystals are smooth, colorless, diamond-shaped particles found by microscopic examination of sputum in patients with bronchial asthma or asthmoid bronchitis. Also characteristic of allergic conditions, eosinophilic infiltrates in the lungs, pulmonary fluke. These formations are recorded in cases where there are many eosinophils in the feces, which is associated with the presence of amoebic dysentery, some helminthiases or the intestinal form of Leffler's syndrome. For the first time, these crystals were found in patients with leukemia.
Types of crystals
Feces are formed in the area of the large intestine and contain mainly the remains of the consumed food, bacteria, water and other impurities. To study this biological material, an analysis is carried out - a coprogram. Deciphering the data obtained as a result of the examination allows us to identify the presence of several groups of formations, which are particles of cells destroyed during the digestive process.
There are several types of crystals:
- Epithelial. This type of crystal represents the remnants of epithelial cells, which are split under the influence of digestive tract enzymes. A small accumulation of these formations does not cause concern, an increased level indicates inflammation of the mucous membrane of the colon.
- Charcot-Leiden crystals in feces. This type of crystal is formed from cells involved in an allergic reaction and indicates the presence of helminthic invasion. Intestinal parasites from the body are accepted as a foreign object, therefore the immune system directs forces to eliminate the abnormal factor with the help of eosinophil cells.
- Tripelphosphates. These particles appear as a result of an accelerated reaction of excretion of intestinal contents, mainly detected during massive bleeding of the digestive tract, when bilirubin loses its ability to turn into stercobilin due to the rapid evacuation of intestinal contents.
- Hematoidin crystals. This type is a fragment of red blood cells split under the influence of hydrochloric acid of the stomach. Appear with massive bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract, and, as a rule, appear in combination with a tarry, black stool called melena.
- Oxalates. Crystals in feces of this origin have no diagnostic value and are found against the background of reduced acidity of gastric juice, as well as due to prolonged use of vegetarian food.
In the absence of free hydrochloric acid, calcium oxalate is transformed into calcium chloride and detected by the formation of crystals that precipitate in feces.
The reasons for the appearance of grins
The causes of oxalate in the feces may be:
- prolonged use of plant foods;
- violation of the functioning of the digestive tract;
- decreased acidity of gastric juice.
Symptoms and manifestations
The clinical picture in the presence of Charcot-Leiden crystals in the feces in a child and in an adult is not very pronounced and mainly resembles gastrointestinal diseases against a background of low acidity.
The patient may complain of lack of appetite and frequent burping, unpleasant odor and taste in the mouth, and periodic constipation. Signs of a pathological condition include intestinal upset (the consistency may be dense), nausea, vomiting after eating. May be disturbed by increased flatulence and digestive tract disorders. Undigested elements of food intake are found in feces.
Possible complications if untreated
The presence of oxalates and Charcot-Leiden crystals in the feces indicates serious diseases that require treatment. The formation of crystalline fractions indicates the ongoing process of cell destruction, which indicates a deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the body. Neglected condition can lead to the development of viral and fungal infections. Pathology increases the likelihood of infection, since the body slows down the process of splitting, as well as the assimilation of food intake. Disturbances of digestibility lead to the appearance of allergic reactions, a decrease in immunity.
Diagnostics
If Charcot-Leiden crystals are found in the feces, the tactics of treatment and the further course of therapy should be determined by the doctor on the basis of laboratory and instrumental studies. Self-medication, various folk methods and diets can aggravate the condition and lead to serious consequences.
The study of feces is an informative way to identify a number of diseases, the symptoms of which the doctor detects in the patient after a personal examination and consultation. A copy or study of feces allows you to identify diseases of the digestive tract, kidneys, ureter, liver, and to detect the presence of oncological pathologies.
The study makes it possible to identify:
- failure of acid-forming and enzymatic activity of the stomach, pancreas and intestines;
- violations of the process of evacuation of juice from the stomach and intestines;
- pathological changes in the microflora of the intestine and stomach;
- inflammatory processes of internal organs and systems.
Using this analysis, it can be clarified whether Charcot crystals are present in the feces, what type they are, what causes their appearance. Treatment is prescribed based on the result of a stool test.
How to take feces for analysis?
If there is a suspicion of crystals in the stool in an adult, then for an accurate determination of them, the patient must adhere to certain rules.
The patient needs to adhere to a diet several days before giving feces. From the daily diet you need to exclude meat, fish dishes, fatty and spicy foods, foods that change the color of feces (beets, carrots, paprika), as well as foods with high iron content, carbonated drinks. You should also find out if the patient has not taken antiparasitic drugs over the past 15 days, such as Karbarson, Tetracycline, Paromomycin, Metronidazole and Diyodohydroksikhin (iodoquinol).
For analysis, feces are taken after a free act of emptying into a transparent and clean vessel. The required amount for the study is approximately 5 g. The analysis must be carried out no later than 8-9 hours after defecation.
It is not allowed to take an analysis after applying rectal suppositories, using castor oil, certain drugs and enemas. Feces contaminated with menstrual flow and urine are not suitable for research. Before passing the test, it is necessary to carry out hygiene procedures of the perineum.
To accurately determine the crystals in the feces in infants, it is not allowed to take material for examination from the surface of diapers or the skin.
Survey Steps
First of all, before diagnosing the body for crystals, stool analysis begins with a visual assessment. Determine:
- Number. The indicator depends on the composition of the food taken, on the contractions of the intestinal walls. With enteritis, when one of the departments of the small intestine is inflamed, an increase in the amount of excreted feces is recorded.
- Consistency. Density depends on the presence of fats and fiber. The chair can be formed or unformed. A thick consistency occurs with constipation, cancer of the large intestine, loose stools with cholera.
- The color of feces. The chair may have shades of brown. The indicator is affected by food colors, drugs. With prolonged use of iron medications, feces turn black.
- Smell. Should not be harsh.
- The form. Basically, feces have a look reminiscent of the shape of a cylinder.
- Slime. The presence of mucus in a small amount is considered normal.
- Blood impurity. The indicator often indicates cancer.
After they carry out a microscopic examination using fecal emulsion. Feces are mixed with saline until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Then the laboratory assistant prepares 4 drugs.
The first of them is designed to detect pathogenic particles and helminth eggs, the second - to detect starch, the third - with Sudan, to determine the presence of neutral fats, and the last, fourth - to differentiate fats. Content is evaluated using a microscope. Crystalline formations occur with helminthic invasions.
Pathology treatment
If crystals are found in the feces in a child, the doctor prescribes treatment individually after finding out the cause of the formations.
Drug therapy is used. Drugs are prescribed based on the cause of the pathological condition. Effective herbal medicine and diet therapy, which must be used only with the permission of a doctor.
Remember, the discovery of Charcot-Leiden crystals in the feces indicates the presence of pathological processes in the body. It is necessary to undergo diagnostic procedures and identify the cause of the condition. This will allow you to properly organize therapeutic therapy, avoiding further complications. Be healthy!