The formation of stones (oxalates, urates and phosphates) is one of the most dangerous and painful pathologies of the kidneys. The first type of neoplasm is observed most often (it is diagnosed in 80% of patients with urolithiasis). What causes oxalate formation in the kidneys? Firstly, it is a metabolic disorder in the human body. What are these stones? These are small crystals formed as a result of the combination of oxalic acid with calcium. Timely diagnosis and surgical treatment can not only successfully cope with the disease (statistics say that 70-75% of patients get rid of the disease), but also to avoid serious complications.
According to medical statistics of this disease, representatives of the strong half of humanity are more likely to be affected.
How are kidney stones formed?
The process of formation of calcium oxalates in the kidneys is as follows:
- With an excess of salts of oxalic acid, they are chemically bonded (nucleated) with calcium and small solid crystals form.
- Then there is their gradual growth.
- Then comes the so-called aggregation of crystals (they stick together).
- The resulting stone can be fixed on the kidney tissue and continue to grow.
- Under the influence of certain factors, the stone can migrate, which leads to damage to the mucous membrane of the urinary tract or a violation of their patency (obstruction).
Reasons for education
The main reasons for the formation of kidney stones (oxalates) are:
- Inadequate daily intake of drinking water (it significantly affects the filtering and excretory functions of the kidneys).
- Excessive consumption of vegetables, berries, fruits, nuts and herbs, containing a large amount of oxalic acid and its salts.
- Long-term course administration of certain medications (for example, “Acetazolamide”, “Ephedrine”, “Topiramata”, “Guaifenesin”, “Triamteren”, vitamin C) and nutritional supplements.
- Inadequate intake of foods containing calcium (it helps to remove oxalic acid salts through the gastrointestinal tract).
- Prolonged exposure to high temperatures and high humidity.
- Chronic diseases (such as pyelonephritis or diabetes mellitus).
- Disorders of acid-base balance (pH).
- High sodium in food.
- Excessive consumption of meat products.
- The use of mineral waters saturated with various salts.
- Complications caused by advanced diseases of the genitourinary system.
- The lack of vitamin D in the body (it is produced under the influence of sunlight).
- Congenital defects or injuries that interfere with the normal outflow of urine and contribute to its stagnation.
- The negative impact of adverse environmental conditions.
- Inadequate physical activity.
- Hereditary predisposition.
Symptoms of the disease
The resulting oxalates in the kidneys are manifested by the following symptoms:
- Drawing, dull, or sharp pains in the lower abdomen, lower back, groin, and genitals.
- A change in the color of urine (with a predominance of a reddish hue).
- Very painful urination.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Violation of the normal frequency of urination (mostly too frequent urges, but sometimes significant delays).
External signs of the presence of oxalates in the kidneys in a child (under the age of 5-6 years) are manifested to a lesser extent than in an adult. Therefore, their presence can only be established at the next test. With frequent urges of a beloved child to go "in a little way" or even minor manifestations of the above symptoms, parents urgently need to seek qualified medical help.
Diagnosis of the disease
The primary study to detect the formation of oxalates and phosphates in the kidneys is a general laboratory analysis of urine. It allows you to detect the presence of characteristic crystals in its composition, as well as accurately determine their chemical composition. Additional information to the specialist gives an increased level of red blood cells, white blood cells and cylinders.
To get a clearer picture of the pathology, the doctor can prescribe repeated tests of urine collected at different times of the day.
Of the instrumental and hardware methods for diagnosing the presence of stones (phosphates and oxalates) in the kidneys, the most effective today are:
- X-ray examination of the kidneys.
- Urography.
- Ultrasound
Oxalate stones in their structure are the most dense of all solid renal formations, therefore, they are quite clearly visible during the above diagnostic methods. Based on the tests and research results, the doctor decides on the most effective methods of treatment, which always depends on the neglect of the disease.
Drug treatment
Since it is very difficult to dissolve oxalates in the kidneys due to their sufficiently solid structure, drug treatment is aimed at preventing their further growth and promoting elimination from the body. The diameter of the urinary tract of a person is about 5 mm. Therefore, after taking certain (strictly recommended by the attending physician) medications, small crystals are able to exit the body naturally. When treating stones (oxalates) in the kidneys, a reception is usually prescribed:
- “Cystone”, “Phytolysin”, “Kanefron”, contributing to a more effective removal of oxalic acid and its salts from the body.
- "Blemaren", which helps dissolve stones and normalize the acid-base balance of urine.
- Vitamin B6, preventing the formation of oxalates.
- "No-Shpy" or "Baralgin", reducing painful syndromes of the disease.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs (with damage to the inner walls of the urinary tract).
Remote crushing stones
How to get rid of stones (oxalates) in the kidneys without direct surgical intervention (incisions or punctures)? The most progressive and most painless way to treat solid formations today is the method of remote shock wave lithotripsy. Ultrasonic energy penetrates the human body without damaging the tissue and internal organs, focuses at the location of the stone and crushes it into small particles. Subsequently, they are excreted from the body naturally.
Unfortunately, this method is only suitable for crushing stones that do not exceed 1 cm in diameter. In numerous medical centers equipped with appropriate equipment, such procedures are performed mainly on an outpatient basis. The method has been used for more than a dozen years. It shows a very high efficiency in the fight against oxalates in the kidneys. Devices for remote shock-wave crushing of stones are equipped with x-ray or ultrasound monitoring systems. The specialist monitors the entire process on the computer screen. The whole procedure is absolutely painless for the patient. After its implementation, there are practically no complications, the patient does not need a recovery period.
Laser endoscopy
Another modern method of grinding stones (oxalates) in the kidneys is laser endoscopy. A special hollow tubular probe is inserted into the area of ​​the solid formation through the urinary tract or a small puncture. Then inside it a special fiber is brought to the stone. The laser energy transmitted through it (in pulsed mode) destroys the stone into small particles (to sizes corresponding to the diameter of the probe), which are subsequently removed using micro-grips. A video camera mounted at the end of the endoscope allows the specialist to direct the laser beam to the desired location and monitor the overall progress of the operation. This method is used to remove stones up to 2 cm in diameter, as well as the inefficiency of using the method of shock wave crushing. The patient will be reminded of the operation only by a small scar from a puncture.
Surgical intervention
An open surgery to remove oxalates formed in the kidneys is currently quite rare. They resort to it only in cases where both of the above methods are ineffective, or the stones have impressive dimensions (up to 5 cm or more). This “archaic” method involves the incision of soft tissues, removal of stones, the imposition of internal and external sutures. To carry out such an operation without anesthesia (a very negative effect on the overall health of a person) is impossible. After such a complex procedure, the patient needs a sufficiently long rehabilitation period in a hospital under the supervision of specialists. Unfortunately, doctors have to resort to this complex and painful operation with an advanced disease.
In exceptional cases (with the formation of the so-called multi-nested extensive calculi and the impossibility of using more gentle methods of treatment), in order to maintain the functionality of the organ, specialists have to remove the most affected part of the kidney.
Timely diagnosis of pathology not only facilitates the process and methods of its treatment, but also eliminates the negative consequences, as well as from a long recovery period.
Diet
For people with kidney stones (oxalates), diet is just as important as treating the disease itself. What does it consist of? It is necessary to abandon leafy greens (parsley, spinach, celery, sorrel), beets, black pepper and other spices, beans, berries, various marinades, nuts (most types), chocolate and cocoa. These products contain a large amount of oxalic acid and its salts. In your daily diet, you should give preference to potatoes, cauliflower, eggplant, dairy products, cereals, apples, prunes, bananas, grapes, apricots and low-fat fish varieties. Tea and coffee are best drunk in very limited quantities.
Folk remedies
Do not engage in self-treatment of urolithiasis in any case. However, after appropriate consultation with a specialist on how to remove oxalates from the kidneys, you can apply some available and simple recipes for traditional medicine:
- Two to three tablespoons of freshly squeezed juice from carrots, zucchini, radishes, cucumbers or pumpkins before each meal also contribute to the elimination of solid formations in a natural way.
- An effective diuretic is obtained from two tablespoons of crushed rosehip roots, filled with 200-250 ml of water and boiled for 8-10 minutes. The broth is recommended to drink before meals.
- You can get an effective remedy for relieving pain, if you pour a tablespoon of dill seeds with a glass of boiling water, let it brew for 15-20 minutes, strain. Taking two tablespoons of the drug four to five times a day, you will greatly facilitate the course of the disease.
- A good therapeutic effect (according to folk healers) has a decoction made from dried and carefully chopped birch buds (10-15 grams per glass of water). Method of preparation: boil for 10-15 minutes, then filter and let the prepared medicine cool. Take 1 tablespoon four to five times a day (before meals).
- A glass of warm milk with the addition of a tablespoon of honey, drunk in the morning, will help to remove small stones from the body, and will also prevent their subsequent formation. The effectiveness of a simple and tasty recipe depends on the duration and regularity of receptions (this must be done every day and at least two months in a row).
In pharmacies, you can buy ready-made kidney preparations based on peppermint, nettle leaves, calendula, bearberry, corn stigmas, celandine, galangal and other medicinal herbs, roots and flowers. The preparation method and recommended dosage are usually indicated on the packaging. However, the use of such compounds in any case is possible only by agreement with the attending physician.
Prevention
In order not to think about how to remove oxalates from the kidneys, it is better to adhere to generally available preventive measures initially. After all, any disease is much easier to prevent than to engage in its long-term treatment. The maintenance of normal kidney function and general well-being will be facilitated by the implementation of simple rules:
- It is necessary to organize and strictly observe a full drinking regime. The assertion that for the normal functioning of the human body two liters of daily drinking water is enough, some experts question it. The volume of fluid not drunk per day, but filtered by the kidneys, is important. Therefore, experts recommend bringing urine output from the body to two liters daily.
- A successful “fighter” with any stagnant phenomena in the body (and the formation of stones undoubtedly belongs to this category) is a healthy and active lifestyle. Of course, in no case should you be too zealous for physical activity. But walking or cycling in the fresh air will be useful to everyone.
- Proper nutrition is a guarantee that the risk of urolithiasis will be minimized.
- The kidneys (like other important human organs) must never be supercool. However, it must be remembered that prolonged exposure to the sun is one of the risk factors for the formation of oxalates.
- Regular examinations by a specialist and the delivery of appropriate tests will help to identify the disease at an early stage, to get rid of the disease quickly and with minimal negative consequences.
Finally
The kidneys play a very important role in the full functioning of all systems of the human body. Preventive measures, normalizing the diet and consuming enough clean drinking water will greatly help not to get on the list of people with oxalates in their kidneys.