Kidney Stone: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and its homeopathic management
Kidney Stone: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, And Its Homeopathic Medicines
Kidneys are the important organs of
our body. Kidneys help to remove waste products and excess fluid from the body
through the urine. Kidneys also maintain a stable balance of body chemicals
& water and produce some hormones. When this equilibrium gets disturbed due
to any reason, the kidneys become infected.
Kidney stones/calculi and urinary
tract infections are the most common kidney problems and are one of many reasons
for kidney diseases.
Homeopathy is the best way to manage
and dissolve kidney stones (renal calculi) and kidney infections without any
possible side effects.
What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are solid masses made
of crystals. Kidney stones usually originate in the kidneys. However, they can
develop anywhere along the urinary tract, which consists of these parts:
- Kidneys
- Ureters
- Bladder
- Urethra
Types of kidney stones
The different types of kidney stones
include:
Calcium - Calcium stones are the most common type and are often made of
calcium oxalate.
Uric acid – When urine is very acidic, this type of stone develops. The purine-rich diet can increase the acidic level of urine. Purine is found in animal
proteins, such as fish, shellfish, and meats.
Men are more prone to get uric acid
stones.
Struvite – Women having urinary tract infections (UTIs) are more prone. These
stones can be large and cause urinary obstruction.
They result from a kidney
infection. By treating the infection one can prevent the formation of struvite
stones.
Cystine - Cystine stones are rare and connected to the genetic disorder
cystinuria.
Cystine is an acid that leaks from the kidneys into the urine and occurs
naturally in the body.
Risk factors for kidney stones
The following factors increase the risk of developing
kidney stones:
- Age - People between the ages of 20 and 50 are at more risk.
- Race – The risk for white people is more in comparison to black people.
- Sex - Men are more prone to get kidney stones.
- Family or personal history - If someone in the family has kidney stones, the chances of developing stones increases.
- Dehydration - Drinking less water each day can increase your risk of kidney stones.
- Diets - Eating a protein, sodium (salt), and sugar-rich diet can increase your risk of some types of kidney stones.
- Being obese – Obesity can increase the risk of kidney stones.
- Medical conditions – Some conditions like renal tubular acidosis, cystinuria, hyperparathyroidism, and some urinary tract infections may increase the risk.
- Some Medicines - Certain medications such as triamterene diuretics, antiseizure drugs, and calcium-based antacids can increase the risk.
Signs and symptoms of a kidney stone
Kidney stone pain is the major cause
to consult a doctor in case of kidney stones. This severe pain is called renal
colic. Kidney stone pain can occur on one or both sides of the back or
abdomen. Pain may radiate to the groin area. People with renal colic tend to be
restless.
Other kidney stone symptoms are:
·
Blood in the urine
·
Nausea & vomiting
·
Discolored or foul-smelling urine
·
Fever with chills
·
Frequent need to urinate
·
Urinating small amounts of urine
Diagnosis of kidney stones
Diagnosis of kidney stones requires a
complete history assessment and a patient's physical exam. Tests required
for diagnosis:
- Blood tests to check the calcium, phosphorus, uric acid, and electrolytes levels in the body
- Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine level in the body to assess kidney functioning
- Abdominal X-rays
- Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)
- Retrograde pyelogram
- Ultrasound of the kidney
- MRI scan of the abdomen and kidneys
- Abdominal CT scan
Treatment of kidney stones
Treatment depends on the type of
stone. One should drink more water to increase the urine flow to flush the
kidneys. Drinking more water helps in kidney stone flush and thus in kidney
stone removal.
Other treatment options include:
Medication – Pain killer in case of pain. If the infection is present, it may require
treatment with antibiotics.
Lithotripsy – It helps to break the large stones so that, they can more easily pass
down the ureters into the urinary bladder. But it can cause bruising on the
abdomen and back and bleeding around the kidney and nearby organs.
Tunnel surgery (percutaneous nephrolithotomy)
– Removal of the large stones through a
small incision in the renal area. A person may need this procedure when:
Ureteroscopy – It may require removing the stone if it gets stuck in the ureter or
bladder.
Prevention of kidney stones
- Drinking enough water to pass about 2.6 quarts of urine each day. It will help to flush the kidneys.
- Increase your fluid intake by taking ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, and fruit juice.
- Reducing your intake of salt and animal proteins can also lower the risk of kidney stones. Reduces the intake of oxalate-rich foods and follows the kidney stone diet.
- The most common type of kidney stone happens when calcium and oxalate stick together when your kidneys make urine. Oxalate is a chemical that’s in many healthy foods and vegetables. To prevent the formation of kidney stones avoid eating the following food:
· Spinach
· Rhubarb
· Grits
· Bran cereal
You must have heard that drinking milk can form
kidney stones, but it is not true. If you take calcium and oxalate-rich foods
at the same time, it helps your body better handle the oxalate. That’s because
the two tend to bind in the gut instead of in the kidneys, where a stone can
form.
Homeopathic management of Kidney stones and inflammation
Homeopathic medicines for kidney stones are known to
stimulate a person’s healing power. A well-chosen homeopathic remedy can very
well dissolve kidney stones of small and medium sizes, and relieve the kidneys
and renal passage permanently from the pain, suffering, and complications
coming from renal calculi.
One of the benefits of kidney stone homeopathic
treatment is that you get a side-effect-free treatment, which is completely
efficient and practical and costs low compared to other modes of treatments and
surgeries.
By keeping in mind the modalities of
kidney stones, the proper homeopathic remedy can deliver a good and
long-lasting alleviation in terms of pain, burning, and difficulty in the passing
of urine in addition to the prevention of recurrence of the condition. Following are a few suggested homeopathic medicines:
BELLADONNA
It is the best medicine for renal
colic. Useful in the retention of urine due to acute urinary tract infections.
The sensation of motion in the bladder as of a worm. Dark & turbid scanty
urine with tenesmus which is loaded with phosphates.
Haematuria without any
pathological problem. Cutting and stitching pain in the abdomen due to calculi,
which aggravates coughing, sneezing, and pressure.
BENZOICUM ACIDUM
Very effective homeopathic medicine
to treat urinary infections. Indicated in highly colored urine with a strong
& offensive odor and pungent smell. Urine is loaded with mucus mixed with
phosphates in the sediment.
Excess of uric acid. Vesical catarrh from suppressed
gonorrhea. Cystitis. Dull pain in the region of kidneys which becomes worse on
taking wine.
BERBERIS VULGARIS
Berberis vulgaris is one of the top-listed Homeopathic medicines for kidney stones, especially for the left side.
Useful in burning pains during the passing of urine.
There is always a
sensation as if some urine remained after urinating. Urine with thick mucus and
bright-red, mealy sediment. Bubbling, sore sensation in kidneys. Pain in the
bladder region. Pain in the thighs and loins on urinating with frequent
urination. Urethra burns when not urinating.
CANTHARIS
Homeopathic medicine cantharis is of
great help in kidney stones when there is intense burning of passing urine.
There is a constant and intolerable urging to urinate before, during, and after
urination. Burning and scalding during urination intolerable urging and fearful
tenesmus.
Urine is passed drop by drop. Intolerable urging with tenesmus. Urine
scalds the passage. Jelly-like shreddy urine. Useful in nephritis with bloody
urine. Violent cutting and burning pain in the whole renal region, with painful
urging to urinate.
COLOCYNTHIS
Colocynthis is a very effective
homeopathic medicine to manage renal colic. Indicated in agonizing cutting pain
in the abdomen causing the patient to end over double, and pressing on the
abdomen. Pains during urination in the whole abdomen.
The intestines feel bruised. Intense burning along the urethra during stool. Vesical catarrh, discharge
like fresh white of egg. Itching at the orifice. Red, hard crystals, adhering
firmly to the vessel. Tenesmus of the bladder.
DIOSCOREA VILLOSA
Dioscorea is another best homeopathic
medicine for renal colic. Indicated when there is writhing, with dry and crampy
pains, with the passing of renal calculus Spasmodic stricture of the urethra,
with pain about the navel which becomes worse by pressure on the abdomen.
Pains
suddenly shift to different parts. Pains radiate from the abdomen to the back,
chest, and arms; worse, bending forwards and while lying. Pains travel from the
kidney region to the testicles.
HYDRANGEA ARBORESCENS
Hydrangea is famous as the ‘stone
breaker’. It breaks kidney stones in the ureter and urinary bladder. This
remedy is indicated for gravel and the deposition of white amorphous salts in
urine. Burning in the urethra with frequent desire to urinate. Renal calculi with a
sharp pain in the loins especially the left side.
LYCOPODIUM CLAVATUM
Lycopodium is a great remedy for
renal calculi and other kidney problems. It is indicated to the person who is
having pain in the right kidney or right ureter.
The pain worsens before
urination. Pain in the back before urinating ceases after flow. Retention of urine
with great straining. Polyuria during the night. Heavy red sediment in urine.
Haematuria.
MEDORRHINUM
It is a powerful deep-acting medicine
and is often indicated in renal colic. There is a painful tenesmus when urinating.
Nocturnal enuresis. Renal colic. Urine flows very slowly.
NUX VOMICA
Nux is pre-eminently the remedy for
many of the conditions incidents to modern life. Very irritable and sensitive
to all impressions. Indicated in Irritable bladder from the spasmodic
sphincter. Frequent urination but little outcome.
Haematuria with Ineffectual
urging. Renal colic extending to genitals, with dribbling urine. While
urinating, itching in the urethra and pain in the neck of the bladder.
OCIMUM CANUM
It is a great homeopathic remedy for
diseases of the kidneys, bladder, and urethra. Uric acid diathesis. Red sand in
the urine is the characteristic symptom of its recommendation. Useful in renal
colic, especially for the right side.
Symptoms of renal calculus are
pronounced. High acidity, is the formation of spike crystals of uric acid. Turbid,
thick, purulent, bloody, brick-dust red or yellow sediment in urine. The odor
of musk. Pain in ureters. Cramps in kidneys.
OXALICUM ACIDUM
This homeopathic remedy is indicated
when urination is frequent and copious. Must urinate when thinking of it. Urine
contains oxalates. Burning in urethra and pain in glans when urinating.
Renal
colic where the pain is sharp, shooting in the left chest, close to the sternum, and
parallel to it. Pain in the region of the kidneys. Oxaluria and albuminuria with
burning in the urethra.
PAREIRA BRAVA
The urinary symptoms are most
important in this homeopathic remedy. A useful remedy in renal colic, prostatic
affections, and catarrh of the bladder. Sensation as if bladder were distended,
with pain. Pain going down the thigh. Black, bloody, thick mucus in urine. The
constant urging of urination with great straining.
A person can pass urine only
when he sits on his knees, pressing his head firmly against the floor. Dribbling
after micturition. Violent pain in the glans penis. Itching along the urethra;
urethritis, with prostatic trouble.
SARSAPARILLA OFFICINALIS
A great remedy for kidney stones and
renal colic. Urine is scanty, slimy, flaky, sandy, and mixed with blood. Severe
pain after urination. Urine dribbles while sitting. Bladder
distended and tender.
Renal colic and dysuria in infants. Sand on the diaper.
Indicated for right-sided stone where Pain goes downward. Tenesmus of the
bladder; urine passes in the thin, feeble stream.
STIGMATA MAYDIS
Stigmata is a very powerful homeopathic
diuretic for renal disorders. Useful in renal lithiasis with nephritic ulcer and
discharge of small calculi, red sand, and blood in the urine.
Suppression of
urine with lack of solids and low specific gravity. Dysuria with suppression
and retention. Tenesmus after urinating. Vesical catarrh with cystitis.
About the Author: Dr. Rahul Singh
Dr. Rahul Singh is a registered Homeopath and Certified Nutritionist with over 16 years of experience and recipient of multiple awards, helps busy people in this fast life, re-energize with tips on a healthy diet, yoga, beauty, health, and wellness strategies that have an impact on their life.
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