Calcium oxalate
(Redirected from Calcium Oxalate)
Calcium Oxalate[edit | edit source]
Calcium oxalate is a chemical compound with the formula CaC₂O₄. It is a salt of calcium and oxalic acid, and it occurs naturally in many plants and animals. Calcium oxalate is known for its role in the formation of kidney stones and is also found in certain foods and plants.
Structure and Properties[edit | edit source]
Calcium oxalate exists in several hydrate forms, including the monohydrate, dihydrate, and trihydrate. The monohydrate form, known as whewellite, is the most common form found in kidney stones. The dihydrate form is known as weddellite, and the trihydrate form is called caoxite.
The compound is poorly soluble in water, which contributes to its tendency to precipitate and form stones in the urinary tract. Calcium oxalate crystals can appear in various shapes, including needle-like, dumbbell-shaped, or envelope-shaped, depending on the conditions of formation.
Occurrence[edit | edit source]
Calcium oxalate is found in many plants, where it serves as a defense mechanism against herbivory. Plants such as rhubarb, spinach, and beetroot contain high levels of oxalates. In animals, calcium oxalate is a common component of kidney stones, which can cause significant health issues if not managed properly.
Role in Kidney Stones[edit | edit source]
Calcium oxalate is the most common constituent of kidney stones, accounting for about 80% of cases. Stones form when there is an imbalance in the concentration of calcium and oxalate in the urine, leading to precipitation and crystallization. Factors such as dehydration, dietary habits, and genetic predisposition can influence stone formation.
Detection and Analysis[edit | edit source]
Calcium oxalate crystals can be detected in urine samples using microscopy. They are often identified by their characteristic shapes and birefringence under polarized light.
Prevention and Treatment[edit | edit source]
Preventing calcium oxalate stone formation involves maintaining adequate hydration, reducing dietary oxalate intake, and managing calcium levels. In some cases, medications may be prescribed to alter urine chemistry and reduce stone formation risk.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
