Prevention and Treatment of Calcium Oxalate Stones
Calcium oxalate kidney stones can be prevented or have their incidence reduced. The treatment of the already formed stones is dependent on symptoms, associated conditions and frequently involves a radiology or surgical intervention.
Prevention of this type of stones involve some general measures and some specific measures. Drinking a generous amount of water, which could be 3 liters or 3/4 of a gallon per day are useful to reduce the rate of stone formation by dilution of the calcium oxalate concentration and reduction of crystallization. The intake of calcium sources such as dairy can lead to calcium chelation by oxalate in the gut and the prevention of the absorption of oxalate into the bloodstream (which is the way to reach the urine). Reducing purines in diet (reduction of red meat intake) can reduce the uric acid excretion. Uric acid, when it crystallizes, can serve as the nidus (center) for calcium oxalate stone formation. A low salt diet will reduce calcium excretion. Finally, increasing citrate sources will help reduce the calcium oxalate crystallization by keeping the calcium in solution. Specific measures are related to the reduction of the intake calcium oxalate sources and of substances that can metabolize into oxalates.
The treatment of symptomatic calcium oxalate renal stones involves the relief of the obstruction by the use of lithotripsy (destruction of kidney stones by sonic waves), the securing of ureter patency (placing of ureteral stents), the relief of obstruction by placement of nephrostomy tubes (in case of the inability of achieving ureter patency). In extreme cases, open surgery is needed to remove a kidney stone. Also, the complications of kidney stones have to be treated. These complications are infection (treated with antibiotics) and renal failure (which may require dialysis in severe cases).
Bibliography
Finkielstein, Vadim A, and David S Goldfarb. “Strategies for preventing calcium oxalate stones.” Canadian Medical Association Journal 174, no. 10 (2006): 1407-1409. doi: https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.051517
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Ramos, Marco.“Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones For Everyone #7. Prevention and Treatment of Calcium Oxalate Stones”. SMO Blog (blog). Second Medical Opinions PLC, March 27, 2020. @secondmedicalop/calcium-oxalate-kidney-stones-for-everyone-7-prevention-and-treatment-of-calcium-oxalate-stones
Read the other sections of this series:
Introduction
What Causes Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones? A
What Causes Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones? B
What Causes Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones? C
What Causes Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones? D
How Common Are Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones?
What Happens When Someone has Calcium Oxalate Stones?
Signs and Symptoms of Calcium Oxalate Stones
Diagnosis and Evaluation of Calcium Oxalate Stones