Kidney stones are one of the most painful medical conditions. Recent studies have shown that kidney stones rates are on the rise across the country. I see many patients of kidney stone in my clinic. Most of them do not have any family history of stone. They ask me why am I getting Kidney Stone? In this article I will try to explain it.
Kidney stones, or renal calculi, are solid masses made of crystals. For most people, Natural chemical composition of urine keeps stone from forming & causing problem. Urine is formed with water as solvent and particles as solutes - such as Calcium, Sodium, and Chloride. Particles present in the urine joined together to form stone. Our urine contains inhibitors for stone formation such as citrate, magnesium etc. Decrease in water content or increase in solute contents or decrease in inhibitors leads to stone formation. The causes of kidney stones vary according to the type of stone.
Kidney stones usually originate in your kidneys. However, they can develop anywhere along your urinary tract, which consists of these parts:
- kidneys
- ureters
- bladder
- urethra
Types of Kidney Stones
Not all kidney stones are made up of the same crystals. The different types of kidney stones include:
1. Calcium - Calcium stones are the most common. They’re often made of calcium oxalate (though they can consist of calcium phosphate or maleate).
However, even though some kidney stones are made of calcium, getting enough calcium in your diet can prevent stones formation. When you take Calcium and oxalate-rich foods together during a meal, the oxalate and calcium from the foods are more likely to bind to one another in the stomach and intestines before entering the kidneys. This will make it less likely that kidney stones will form.
2. Uric acid - This type of kidney stone is more common in men than in women. They can occur in people with Gout or those going through chemotherapy.
3. Struvite - This type of stone is found mostly in women with Urinary tract infection. These stones can be large and cause urinary obstruction. They result from a kidney infection. Treating an underlying infection can prevent the development of struvite stones.
4. Cystine - Cystine stones are rare. They occur in both men and women who have the genetic disorder Cystinuria. With this type of stone, cystine — an acid that occurs naturally in the body — leaks from the kidneys into the urine.
Symptoms
Other symptoms of kidney stones can include: blood in the urine (red, pink, or brown urine) , vomiting , nausea , discoloured or foul-smelling urine , chills , fever , frequent need to urinate , urinating small amounts of urine In the case of a small kidney stone, you may not have any pain or symptoms as the stone passes through your urinary tract.
Risk Factors for Kidney stone - Dehydration , Obesity , a diet with high levels of protein, salt, or glucose , Hyperparathyroidism , gastric bypass surgery , Inflammatory Bowel diseases that increase calcium absorption , Some medications
What is the most important factor to prevent kidney stone formation?
Having kidney stones increase your risk of getting them again unless you actively work to prevent them. This means taking medicines as well as regulating your diet. If you currently have stones, your doctor will run diagnostic tests, to determine what type you have. They will then prescribe a specific diet plan for you. Tips that will help include:
· Hydrate with water. Be sure to keep well hydrated, especially when doing exercise or activities that cause a lot of sweating. Drink at least twelve glasses of water daily to produce a good amount of urine. So that you can avoid any build up of calcium or uric acid. · Drink citrus juices, such as orange juice · Eat and drink calcium rich foods such as milk, yogurt, ice cream and some cheese · Limit your intake of animal protein · Eat less salt, added sugar, and products containing high fructose. Extra sodium causes you to lose more calcium in your urine. Therefore, a high sodium diet can increase your chances for developing another stone. There are many sources of "hidden" sodium such as canned or commercially processed foods as well as restaurant-prepared and fast foods. · Avoid foods and drinks high in oxalates and phosphates. Oxalate is naturally found in many foods, including fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, grains, legumes, and even chocolate and tea. Some examples of foods that have high levels of oxalate include – Potato chips, peanuts, beets, spinach etc. · Avoid eating or drinking anything which dehydrates you, such as alcohol.
Role of Homeopathy in treating Kidney Stones
> Renal stones can be effectively treated with Homeopathy. Homeopathy can help pass the stone and relieve pain. Homeopathy not only helps to flush out the stones but also alleviates the pain. Diet changes and medical treatment are individualized based on the type of stone. The Constitutional Medicine given in Classical Homeopathy can also prevent the recurrence of kidney stones. Now you must have understood how our Diet & Lifestyle is affecting our health and why there are increasing numbers of kidney stone patients.