What are Kidney Stones?

A health article about Kidney Stones from Your Health Online the A to Z directory of dealing with Health Problems & nutritional Self Care Strategies

A kidney stone is a solid piece of material that forms in the kidney out of substances in the urine. Stones can occur in any part of the urinary system, from the kidney to the bladder. They may be small or large. You may have just one stone or many.

Your kidneys filter your blood and excrete waste products and excess water as urine. The kidneys are located in the abdomen, on either side of your spine, just above your waist. Kidney stones are most common in middle-aged people and are 3 times more common in men than in women. They tend to recur.

The formation of stones in the kidneys or urinary tract is a fairly common disorder. The stones are formed from the chemicals usually found in the urine such as uric acid, phosphorous, calcium and oxalic acid. They may vary in consistency from grit, sand and gravel-like obstructions to the size of the bird’s eggs.

Stones may form and grow because the concentration of a particular substance in a urine exceeds its solubility. This disorder occurs more frequently in middle age, with men being afflicted more often than women.

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, lying below the waist on either side of the spinal column on the back wall of the abdomen. They are soft, reddish brown in colour, and, on an average, measure 10 cm. in length, 6 cm. in width and is 2.5 cm. thick at its centre.

They are filtering plants for purifying the blood, removing water and salts from it which are passed into the bladder as urine.

Signs & Symptoms of Kidney Stones

Often kidney stones do not cause any symptoms. When they do, the symptoms usually are:

• severe, crampy pain in your back or abdomen (the most common symptom)

• nausea and vomiting (sometimes).

Sometimes the presence of kidney stones causes a urinary tract infection. If you have a urinary tract infection, your symptoms may include fever, chills, sweats, and pain when you urinate.

Kidney stones and urinary tract infection can cause blood to be in the urine. Usually the blood is seen only with a microscope, but it turns the urine pink or red.

Some people have no symptoms until they pass gravel-like stones in their urine. Others never have any symptoms, and their stones are found during testing for other problems.

Kidney stones usually cause severe pain in their attempt to pass down the ureter on their way to the bladder. The pain is first felt in the side and thereafter in the groin and thighs.

Other symptoms of kidney stones are a desire to urinate frequently, painful urination, scanty urination, nausea, vomiting, sweating, chills and shocks.

The patient may also pass blood with the urine. Sometimes, large stones may remain in the kidneys without causing any trouble and these are known as silent stones.

Types of Kidney Stones

Chemically, urinary stones are of two categories, namely, primary stones and secondary stones. Primary stones are ordinarily not due to infection and are formed in acidic urine. They usually result from alcoholism, sedentary life, constipation and excessive intake of nitrogeneous or purine-rich foods.

Secondary stones are due to local infection and are formed in alkaline urine. Most kidney stones are composed either of calcium oxalate or phosphate, the latter being most common in the presence of infection.

About 90 per cent of all stones contain calcium as the chief constituent. More than half of these are mixtures of calcium, ammonia, and magnesium, phosphates and carbonates, while the remainder contain oxalate.

Uric acid and cystine stones represent about four percent and one per cent respectively of the total incidence of stones.

What Causes Kidney Stones?

The formation of stones in the kidneys is the result of defects in the general metabolism. They usually occur when the urine becomes highly concentrated due to heavy perspiration or insufficient intake of fluids. They are aggravated by a sedentary lifestyle.

The other causes are wrong diet, excess intake of acid-forming foods, white flour and sugar products, meat, tea, coffee, condiments and spices, rich foods and overeating.

Lack of vitamin A and an excessive intake of vitamin B may also lead to formation of stones.

There are several types of kidney stones, but most stones are calcium stones. They occur when there is too much calcium in the urine. If your kidneys don't work properly or if too much calcium is absorbed from your stomach and intestines, you may have excess calcium in your urine.

Some calcium stones are caused by too much of a chemical called oxalate that is found in many foods including spinach, rhubarb, leafy vegetables, coffee, chocolate, and tomatoes. Oxalate binds easily with calcium to form a stone.

Also, the risk of forming calcium stones increases if you have certain medical conditions such as an overactive parathyroid gland (a gland in that neck that regulates calcium levels in the body) or inflammatory bowel disease.

A second type of kidney stone occurs because you have too much uric acid in your urine. Uric acid stones might result if you become dehydrated, for example, during strenuous exercise on a hot day or during an illness. Uric acid stones are common in people who have gout, a disease that causes high uric acid levels in the blood.

Struvite stones are a third type. They are also called infection stones because they form in urine that is infected with bacteria.

Finally, a rare type of kidney stone is a cystine stone. It occurs if you have the genetic disease called cystinuria. This disease results from a birth defect that causes the kidney to allow too much cystine into the urine. This type of stone formation is almost always diagnosed during childhood.

The other causes are a wrong diet, excess intake of acid-forming foods, white flour and sugar products, meat, tea,coffee, condiments and spices, rich foods, and overeating.

Lack of vitamin A and an excessive intake of vitamin D may also lead to formation of stones.

Prevention:

What can be done to help prevent kidney stones?

• Follow your health care provider's recommended treatment for any health problems that may be causing kidney stones.

• Drink plenty of water daily. Make sure you avoid getting dehydrated.

• Follow any changes in your diet recommended by your provider after the stone has been tested in the lab.

When to seek Medical Advice:

Your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and examine you. Samples of your urine and blood will be tested.

Sometimes the pattern of pain over time is helpful in the diagnosis. The pain may move from the upper to the lower abdomen over a few hours. As the stone moves lower, the pain may be felt in the genitals, especially the testicles in men and the labia in women.

In addition to a urine test, you may have one or more of these tests:

• x-ray of your abdomen

• ultrasound scan

• CT scan (computerized x-rays)

• intravenous pyelogram (IVP), which is a special type of x-ray done after a dye is injected into one of your veins.

Treatment/Therapy:

Treatment depends on the size and location of the stone(s), whether one or more stones are blocking urine flow out of the kidney, and whether there are signs of infection.

You may be treated at home by drinking lots of liquids and taking pain medicine. Kidney stones usually pass on their own. Your health care provider may ask you to strain all urine until the stone is passed. When the stone is caught, it can then be analyzed with lab tests.

You may need to be in the hospital if:

• You are vomiting too much to drink liquids.

• You have signs of urinary infection or a kidney abnormality.

• You need surgery to remove a large stone.

If you have a stone in the lower urinary tract that requires surgery, it may be removed, under anesthesia, through a cystoscope. This instrument is a slim, lighted, flexible, fiber-optic telescope, which is passed through the urethral opening into the urinary tract. Tiny tools can be passed through the cystoscope to trap and remove the stone.

If you have a stone that is too high in your urinary tract or very large, you may need to have surgery to remove it. Some medical centers are using a kind of cystoscope called a ureteroscope, inserted via the bladder, to remove these stones.

Some medical centers have special ultrasound machines, which break up stones with shock waves (a technique called lithotripsy). The smaller fragments can then be passed in the urine.

How long will the effects last?

Usually you have pain off and on for several hours up to 1 or 2 days. However, a stone may take days or even weeks to pass. Sometimes weekly x-rays will be taken to track the progress of the stone as it moves down the urinary tract. If a stone has not passed after a month or so, it may need to be surgically removed.

Self Care strategies for Living with Kidney Stones

• Follow your health care provider's instructions.

• Make sure you drink enough liquids.

• Watch for signs of kidney infection, such as fever, chills, sweats, and worsening back or abdominal pain.

• Take the pain medicine as prescribed by your health care provider.

• Contact your provider if any problems or questions arise or if you are feeling worse instead of better.

Kidney Stones treatment using Kidney Beans

Kidney beans, also known as dried French beans or Rajmah, are regarded as a very effective home remedy for kidney problems, including kidney stones. The method prescribed to prepare the medicine is to remove the beans from inside the pods, then slice the pods and put about sixty grams in four litre of hot water, boiling them slowly for six hours.

This liquid should be strained through fine muslin and then allowed to cool for about eight hours. Thereafter the fluid should be poured through another piece of muslin without stirring.

A glass of this decoction should be given to the patient every two hours throughout the day for one day and, thereafter, it may be taken several times a week. This decoction would not work if it was more than twenty-four hours old. The pods could be kept for longer periods but once they were boiled, the therapeutic factor would disappear after one day.

Basil

Basil has a strengthening effect on the kidneys. In case of kidney stones, one teaspoon each of basil juice and honey should be taken daily for six months. It has been found that stones can be expelled from the urinary tract by this treatment.

Celery

Celery is a valuable food for those who are prone to getting stones in the kidneys or gall-bladder. Its regular intake prevents future stone formation.

Apple

Apples are useful in kidney stones. In countries where the natural unsweetened cider is a common beverage, cases of stones or calculus are practically absent. The ripe fresh fruit is, however, more valuable.

Grapes

Grapes have an exceptional diuretic value on account of their high contents of water and potassium salt. The value of this fruit in kidney troubles is enhanced by its low albumin and sodium chloride content. It is an excellent cure for kidney stones.

Pomegranate

The seeds of both sour and sweet pomegranates are useful medicine for kidney stones. A tablespoon of the seeds, ground into a fine paste, can be given along with a cup of horse gram (kulthi) soup to dissolve gravel in kidneys. Two tablespoons of horse gram should be used for preparing the cup of soup.

Watermelon

Watermelon contains the highest concentration of water amongst all fruits. It is also rich in potassium salts. It is one of the safest and best diuretics which can be used with beneficial result in kidney stones.

Vitamin B 6

Research has shown the remarkable therapeutic success of vitamin B6 or pyridoxine in the treatment of kidney Stones. A daily therapeutic does of 100 to 150 mg of vitamin B6, preferably, combined with other B complex vitamins, should be continued for several months for getting a permanent cure.

Diet change strategies:

A patient with kidney stones should avoid foods, which irritate the kidneys, to control acidity or alkalinity of the urine. He should also ensure adequate intake of fluids to prevent the urine from becoming concentrated.

The foods considered irritants to the kidneys are alcoholic beverages; condiments and pickles; certain vegetables like cucumber, radish, tomato, spinach, rhubarb; those with a strong aroma such as asparagus, onion, beans, cabbage, and cauliflower; meat and gravies; and carbonated waters.

For controlling the formation of calcium phosphate stones, the intake of calcium and phosphates should be restricted. Foods which should be avoided are wholewheat flour, Bengal gram, peas, soyabean, beet, spinach, cauliflower, turnips, carrots, almonds, and coconuts.

When stones are composed of calcium, magnesium phosphates, and carbonates, the diet should be so regulated as to maintain an acidic urine. On the other hand, the urine should be kept alkaline if oxalate and uric acid stones are being formed.

In the latter case, fruits and vegetables should be liberally used, and acid-forming foods should be kept to the minimum necessary for satisfactory nutrition. In case of uric stones, foods with a high purine content such as sweet breads, liver, and kidney should be avoided.

The patient should take a low-protein diet, restricting protein to one gram per kilogram of food. A liberal intake of fluid up to three litres or more daily is essential to prevent the precipitation of salt into the form of stones.

Using Ayurveda Therapy:

A majority of patients suffering from kidney stones can be treated successfully by proper dietary regulations. These regulations will also prevent a recurrence of the symptoms. Only a few cases require surgery.

The patient should avoid foods which irritate the kidneys, to control acidity or alkalinity of the urine and to ensure adequate intake of fluids to prevent the urine from becoming concentrated.

The foods considered irritants to the kidneys are alcoholic beverages, condiments, pickles, certain vegetables like cucumbers, radishes, tomatoes, spinach, rhubarb, water-cress and those with strong aroma such as asparagus, onions, beans, cabbage and cauliflower, meat, gravies and carbonated waters.

In calcium phosphate stones, over -secretion of parathyroid hormone causes loss of calcium from the bones resulting in a high blood level of calcium with increased excretion of calcium in the urine. An abnormally high intake of milk, alkalies or vitamin D may also result in the formation of calcium phosphate stones.

For controlling the formation of calcium phosphate stones, a moderately low calcium and phosphorous diet should be taken The intake of calcium and phosphates should be restricted to minimal levels consistent with maintaining nutritional adequacy.

The maintenance level of calcium is 680 mg. and of phosphorous 1000 mg. In this diet, milk should constitute the main source of calcium and curd or cottage cheese, lentils and groundnuts should form the main sources of phosphorous. Foods which should be avoided are whole wheat flour, Bengal gram, peas, soyabeans, beets, spinach, cauliflower, turnips, carrots, almonds and coconuts.

When stones are composed of calcium and magnesium phosphates and carbonates, the diet should be so regulated as to maintain acidic urine. In such a diet, only half a litre of milk, two servings of fruits and two servings of vegetables ( 200 grams) should be taken. The vegetables may consist of asparagus, fresh green peas, squash, pumpkins, turnips, cauliflower, cabbage and tomatoes. For fruits, watermelon, grapes, peaches, pears, pineapple, papayas and guavas may be taken.

On the other hand the urine should be kept alkaline if oxalate and uric acid stones are being formed. In this diet, fruits and vegetables should be liberally used and acid-forming foods should be kept to the minimum necessary for satisfactory nutrition. When the stones contain oxalate, foods with high oxalic acid content should be avoided. These foods include almonds, beetroots, brinjal, brown bread, cabbage, cherry, chocolate, French Beans, potatoes, radish, spinach and soyabeans.

Uric stones occur in patients who have an increased uric acid in the blood and increased uric acid exertion in the urine. Since uric acid is an end product of purine metabolism, foods with a high purine content such as sweet bread, liver and kidney should be avoided.

Kidney beans, also known as French beans or common beans, are regarded as a very effective remedy for kidney problems, including kidney stones. It was Dr. Ramm of Germany, who first discovered the value of kidney beans as a medicine for kidney and bladder troubles.

He employed it for over 25 years with beneficial results. The method prescribed by him to prepare the medicine is to remove the beans inside the pods, then slice the pods and put about 60 mg. in four litres of hot water, boiling slowly for four hours. This liquid should be strained through fine muslin and then allowed to cool for about eight hours. Thereafter, the fluid should be poured through another piece of muslin without stirring.

According to Dr. Ramm, a glassful of this decoction should be given to the patient every two hours through the day for one day, and thereafter it may be taken several times a week. Dr. Ramm also says that this decoction will not work if it is more than 24 hours old. The pods can be kept for longer periods but once they are boiled, the therapeutic factor disappears after one day.

The basil, known as tulsi in the vernacular, has a strengthening effect on the kidneys. In case of kidney stones, basil juice and honey should betaken for six months. It has been found that the stones can be expelled from the urinary tract with this treatment. The celery is also a valuable food for those who are prone to stone formation in the kidneys or the gall bladder. Its regular use prevents future tone formation.

Research has shown the remarkable therapeutic success of vitamin B6 or pyridoxine in the treatment of kidney stones. This treatment has to be continued for several months for obtaining a permanent cure.

The patient should take a low protein diet, restricting protein to one gram per kg. of food. A liberal intake of fluid up to 3,000 ml. or more daily is essential to prevent the production of urine at the concentration level where the salts precipitate out.

The patient should be given a large hot enema, followed by a hot bath with a temperature of 100 o F, gradually increased to 112 o F. The head should be kept cold with cold application. Hot fomentation applied across the back in the region of the kidneys will relieve the pain. Certain yogasanas such as pavan-muktasana, uttanpadasana, bhujangasana, dhanursana and halasana are also highly beneficial as they stimulate the kidneys.

Give warm enema followed by a hot bath

The patient should be given a large warm enema, followed by a hot bath with a temperature of 37.8oC, gradually increased to 44.5°C. During the bath, the head should be wrapped in a cold towel. Hot fomentation applied across the back in the region of the kidneys will relieve the pain.

Yogasanas are also helpful

Certain yogasanas such as pavanmuktasana, uttanpadasana, bhujangasana, dhanurasana, and halasana are also beneficial as they activate the kidneys.

Vitamin & Nutrient Associations

Even when we try to eat well, we're disadvantaged. The nutritional content of most food has been compromised over the years, not only by deficient soils and modern production, transportation, storage and processing methods, but also by the enormous amounts of chemical and artificial substances added to promote growth, storage life, taste and appearance.

It's for this reason that more and more medical authorities are advocating the use of vitamin and mineral supplements. However, finding them in the right combination can be both confusing and costly.

The nutrition products I am going to recommend you make use of knowledge gained from the botanical world's 6,000 year history. They incorporated health building nutritional herbs with the best modern technology to help our bodies cleanse and detoxify so that the cells - the tiniest living units - can be as fully nourished as possible.

This allows the cells to grow, repair and to perform their functions with the best possible efficiency so that we feel and look better and are more able to prevent and fight disease. Once the body begins to clear itself of toxins it can more efficiently absorb nutrition.

As Aloe Vera Juice is a refreshing and anti-bacterial drink that flushes through your system, including your kidneys. You might find that taking this daily, diluted in some filtered water will not only refresh you like ‘a shower inside you’ but also assists in dealing with any digestive issues you may also be experiencing and to clear the toxins that your kidneys are dealing with every day.

You may find benefit from our information on detoxification as well as a bit about detoxing because of change of diet

It may be due to difficulties with your digestive system that is causing your body to be starved of key nutrients, vitamins or minerals. In this case you may find useful answers by reviewing our article on Nutrition For Your Cells.

Further reading through our articles on Kidney Stones health issues will give you a body of information that will help you decide what options you have to deal with the underlying causes of your problem through giving your body the nutrition products that will assist you body to heal from the inside out.

We wish you well in your search for solutions to this Kidney Stones problem and your movement towards better health in all areas.

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