Hyperoxaluria and Oxalosis
May 30, 2018 Source: Internal - karim uddin, Other Source: Source: https://ohf.org/overview/
Hyperoxaluria is a condition in which there is an excess of oxalate present in the urine. This can lead to the formation of kidney stones as the excess oxalate binds with calcium in the urine. Oxalate is found naturally in food and is a chemical that is present in the body. However, oxalate itself does not have any use in the body and any excess quantities are excreted directly through urine.
Hyperoxaluria can be caused by consuming large quantities of food rich in oxalate, or be the result of a genetic disorder or intestinal disease. Primary hyperoxaluria is the result of the liver not synthesizing enough of a given protein, which is responsible for the clearance of oxalate. Another cause may be due to the protein not functioning properly, hence the excess buildup. However, this form of hyperoxluria is extremely rare and only occurs in every 1-3 people in a million. Unlike primary, secondary hyperoxaluria is caused by the gastrointestinal tract and occurs due to excess absorption of oxalate.
Symptoms of this disease are very similar to those of kidney stones and include severe pain in the back, blood in the urine, pain whenever urinating and chills or fever. If these symptoms are left untreated, more severe complications can arise which include feeling ill and tired, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, swelling of hands and feet and decreased or no urine output.
Similar to hyperoxaluria, oxalosis is another rare disorder that occurs when the kidneys fail to excrete calcium oxalate crystals through the urine. The excess build-up of these crystals can lead to multiple complications elsewhere in the body, including skin ulcers, anemia, heart and eye problems, and in children it may lead to a failure in natural growth. It is very important to go see a doctor if any of the aforementioned symptoms arise as leaving them untreated, can lead to multiple complications and result in disorders that may have been preventable if treated early on.
