Oxalates are esters and oxalic acid salts . In many cases, they can only be detected with a routine urinalysis. The content of these crystals in the biological fluid produced by the kidneys has its own name - oxaluria. Unfortunately, such a pathology is most often asymptomatic and imperceptible.
With a similar disease, the patient may experience constant fatigue, cutting abdominal pains, as well as profuse and frequent urination. Although all these problems are also characteristic of other ailments, for example, food poisoning, stress, or the consumption of diuretic products. In general, oxalates are the first signal warning of the imminent formation of kidney stones. That is why a diet with oxalates in the urine is an opportunity to avoid surgical intervention.
The main causes of these harmful substances in the urine
Oxalates can form in the body for various reasons. However, in most cases this happens due to improper exchange of oxalic acid and heredity. Of course, there are other factors that provoke the formation of salts in the urine: complications after an illness and unhealthy diet, for example, uncontrolled use of foods with oxalic acid. These include plum, figs, sorrel, parsley and gooseberries.
According to the observations of doctors, an increased amount of salts in urine is found in patients who live in areas with a low magnesium content in water and foods. Stress leading to dehydration can also contribute to the formation of oxalates, especially when it comes to fear for one’s own life or severe fear.
Diseases that provoke the appearance of oxalates in the urine
Some pathologies lead to increased formation of these harmful substances in urine:
- diabetes;
- problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
- intoxication;
- pyelonephritis;
- deficiency of vitamins of group B;
- weakened immunity;
- existing or transferred Crohn's disease.
If doctors found an increased salt content in the body, then in this case, a diet with oxalates in the urine will become the basis of treatment. Her patient must adhere to it, otherwise the situation may worsen.
Oxaluria Complications
When the diet for oxalates in the urine is ignored and treatment is not carried out on time, there is a high probability of the formation of calculi in the kidneys. Various infections of the urinary system, stagnation of urine, as well as changes in its reaction, imbalance in colloidal equilibrium, which does not allow salts to precipitate, can lead to the appearance of stones.
Oxalate stones are the most problematic because they have a dense structure. They damage the surface of the bladder, pelvis and ureter more than others. To find out the daily number of crystals of oxalic acid released with the biological fluid produced by the kidneys, you can pass the analysis.
Diagnostic measures
The main way to detect oxalate in the urine is a laboratory test. Biochemical and general analyzes show the excess content of oxalic acid esters, hematuria, crystalluria, a moderate amount of protein and leukocyturia that occurs during the inflammatory process in the kidneys.
In addition, the patient is recommended to do an ultrasound examination of the kidneys, because the formed oxalate stones are clearly visible on ultrasound, they differ from the rest in structure and shape. Early diagnosis of the disease allows effective therapy to prevent the formation of calculi in order to avoid the appearance of urolithiasis and its negative consequences.
How to normalize oxalic acid metabolism?
Before treating oxaluria, it is first necessary to eliminate the diseases that provoked excessive formation of salts in the urine. To prevent complications, the patient is usually prescribed vitamins B1 and B6, magnesium oxide.
For preventive purposes, agents that promote alkalization of the body are indicated : citric acid, potassium or sodium citrates. Moreover, a diet in the presence of oxalates in the urine is recommended. Doctors prescribe diuretics for some patients. But from herbal medicine with such an ailment, you can use half-pallet and madder dyeing.
Diet with elevated oxalates in the urine
To prevent the occurrence of negative consequences with excess salts in urine, it is worth adhering to some rules in the diet. A special diet for oxalates in the urine is the main stage of therapy. Its main task is to reduce the intake of oxalic acid in the body, without reducing the ingestion of other beneficial substances.
With such a problem, it is worth excluding chocolate, tomatoes, gooseberries, spinach and red currants from the diet. In addition, you will have to abandon too strong tea, coffee and even cocoa.
In a situation where salts (oxalates) are present in the urine, a diet involves eating the following foods:
- Buckwheat, barley, oatmeal and millet. From these cereals you can make soups or cereals.
- Low-fat poultry or fish meat, at least 100 grams per day.
- Sour-milk and dairy products.
- Products from wholemeal flour with bran and fiber.
- Vegetables and fruits with a low content of oxalic acid: cucumbers, pumpkin, apricots, eggplant, cabbage and turnips.
- Dried fruits compote.
It is necessary to limit the use of pepper, mustard, horseradish, salty snacks, canned foods, and various smoked foods when urine salts are high. Mushroom, meat and fish broths are not yet recommended.
Corrective diet with a large number of oxalates in the urine depends on the calcium content. With a decrease in its level, dairy products should be preferred and begin to take dietary supplements with this substance. If the amount of calcium in the body is increased, you need to drink as much water as possible and reduce the consumption of meat and salt. But the intake of vitamin C should be excluded or limited in both cases.
Oxalate Cooking Tips
Patients suffering from this disease, it is better to bake or cook steamed. It is advisable to refuse raw smoked and fried foods. In order not to harm the kidneys, it is not recommended to eat salty and spicy foods, as well as spices.
A diet with an increase in oxalic acid crystals in urine suggests including a huge amount of foods rich in B vitamins in the menu. Therefore, it is worth adding bananas, millet, pearl barley, barley and buckwheat, chicken, peas and rye flour to the diet. With a lack of such vitamins, the patient should take courses of drugs with their content.
It is advisable to add seaweed to the daily menu. This food supplement is useful, and it can also be added to various dishes during cooking, especially if urine oxalates are found. A diet with such seasoning can be said to be more effective.
Oxalate Teas
Herbal preparations will help lower urine salts. Moreover, in folk medicine there are a huge number of recipes to eliminate this problem.
In the treatment of oxaluria, the collection of pear and blackcurrant leaves has proven itself well. The former will need 100 grams, and the latter 300. These ingredients should be mixed and put into a glass container. To make healthy tea, you need to pour one tablespoon of dried leaves with boiling water and leave to infuse. It is advisable to take the resulting drink one hour after the meal.
There is another equally effective recipe for tea, for the creation of which you will need the leaves of a pear and an apple tree, as well as its dried fruits. You should brew them in a thermos and leave to insist all night. This broth is allowed to be consumed as regular tea throughout the day.
Such a diet in most cases is prescribed for 2 weeks, and then the patient must again pass urine for analysis to monitor the dynamics of treatment.
Preventative measures
To prevent excess salts in urine, some medical advice should be followed. A clear diet for oxalates in the urine should consist exclusively of allowed foods that should be consumed often, but in small portions. It is best to divide food into 5 receptions. And the last snack should be two hours before bedtime.
Oxalates in the urine are an unpleasant phenomenon, but with a properly selected nutritional scheme, stone formation is avoided.