There is one health condition that is on the rise for the last few decades, and that is KIDNEY STONES. This is roughly affecting 12% of the global population, which includes India. A study conducted around a year back suggests that 50% of these people may also end up losing their kidney functions. Hence, while it is usually not considered a fatal disease, the dangers of ignoring this, cannot be overlooked. Typically, the increase in the instances of people with kidney stones is said to be due to modern lifestyle, lack of proper exercise, and diet. At times, certain medicines may also be culprits.
Medically it is called renal lithiasis, or nephrolithiasis, and can affect any part of your urinary tract, which includes the kidneys and bladder. The condition occurs when stones form due to the urine concentration, which allows minerals to crystalise and stick together to form a stone. At times, these are quite harmless and may pass without causing any harm or pain. There are even instances when people were not aware of having and passing them. At times, passing them may turn out painful, and sometimes also needs medical intervention.
The Symptoms
Possibly, one may not have any symptoms at all, as mentioned above. But the usual symptoms associated with this condition are:
- Pain in the side or back, (below the ribs, and sometimes significant)
- Pain while urinating
- Radiating pain in the lower abdomen and groin.
- Pain in waves that fluctuate in intensity.
- Colour change in urine to pink, red, or brown.
- Foul-smelling urine.
- Frequent, urgent need to urinate.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Urinating in small quantity.
In extreme cases, fever and chills may also occur, only if an infection is also present. When the stone(s) move, the location of the pain as well the intensity may change. If you consistently find being affected by any one or combination of the above symptoms, you should consult a doctor.
Risk Factors For Kidney Stones
Various risk factors can contribute to kidney stones. It is good to be aware of the same, so you can combine this with the symptoms to suspect possible kidney stones.
- Family history-People with a family history of kidney stones are more likely to get it. Also, there are always chances of reoccurrences in this as well.
- Dehydration- Not keeping your body hydrated by drinking enough water increases your chances of kidney stones. This is true for people living in warmer climates.
- Diet-A high protein diet, or excessive salt (sodium) and sugar also, increases your risk of kidney stones. In this, salt happens to be one of the most prime factors.
- Obesity- Being obese has been linked to a higher risk of kidney stones.
- Digestive issues- Certain digestive tract issues, or surgeries are done for these can affect the digestive process, limiting the absorption of calcium and water, which in turn, aids the stone formation.
Besides all the above points, certain medical conditions such as Crohn’s disease, renal tubular acidosis, urinary tract infections, also increase the chances of kidney stones.
Treatment
Most often, unless the symptoms are very severe, the doctors would advise you to drink more water and pass the stones naturally through the urine. Sometimes hospitalization may be needed, wherein they provide IV hydration with anti-inflammatory medicine, especially if the pain is more. At times, a shock therapy called lithotripsy may also be done. Surgical removal of stone is also done in certain instances. The treatment is entirely dependent on the individual, the nature of the stones, as well as the personal and medical history of the patient.
Diet Inputs
Prevention is always the best cure. Hence, one can try to get kidney stones by following certain dietary restrictions. Drinking plenty of water, limiting salt, and foods both with animal based protein as well as high oxalates can help a lot in preventing or even a recurrence of the stones. Also, one needs to be cautious about taking too much calcium as supplements.
Foods that are recommended to have are:
- Milk and milk based products.
- Calcium-fortified foods (cereals, bread, juices, flakes, etc )
- Yogurt
- Fresh citrus fruits
- Plant-based proteins like beans, peas, and lentils.
Above are some of the guidelines for treating kidney stones.
Waiting for your views on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
7th February 2022.
Tejinder Singh Sethi
Types of kidney stones include:
Calcium stones. Most kidney stones are calcium stones, usually in the form of calcium oxalate. Oxalate is a substance made daily by your liver or absorbed from your diet. Certain fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts and chocolate, have high oxalate content.
Dietary factors, high doses of vitamin D, intestinal bypass surgery and several metabolic disorders can increase the concentration of calcium or oxalate in urine.
Calcium stones may also occur in the form of calcium phosphate. This type of stone is more common in metabolic conditions, such as renal tubular acidosis. It may also be associated with certain medications used to treat migraines or seizures, such as topiramate (Topamax, Trokendi XR, Qudexy XR).
Struvite stones. Struvite stones form in response to a urinary tract infection. These stones can grow quickly and become quite large, sometimes with few symptoms or little warning.
Uric acid stones. Uric acid stones can form in people who lose too much fluid because of chronic diarrhea or malabsorption, those who eat a high-protein diet, and those with diabetes or metabolic syndrome. Certain genetic factors also may increase your risk of uric acid stones.
Cystine stones. These stones form in people with a hereditary disorder called cystinuria that causes the kidneys to excrete too much of a specific amino acid.
No sooner it is detected one can go for naturopathy treatment like Homoepathy which are very easy and effective.
R. N. Mungale.
Good information on diet..
Shivaranjan
Homeopathy has some good medicines which break, throws the stone out.
Coriander leaves , or dried full coriander seeds soaked in water, drink it for 7 days, it flushes out.
Excellent blog by Anil Malik