Kidney stones are hard deposits that can be found anywhere in the urinary system-from the urinary bladder to the kidneys. They can be formed due to many factors, but genetic susceptibility and the number of fluids you drink has a direct effect on the odds of having kidney stones.
While they can be treated with oral medications in most cases, one can tweak certain habits and change one’s diet to attempt to address the issue of kidney stones naturally. Here are some home remedies for curing kidney stones.
Dehydration is one of the leading causes of kidney stones. Less water concentrates the urine and allows many minerals and salts to coalesce. Drinking more water, a minimum of eight glasses ensure the body is hydrated and even helps in reducing the growth of kidney stones.
Apple cider vinegar contains citric acid that helps in dissolving calcium-heavy kidney stones. The concoction is made by mixing a little bit of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and can be had before meals. Quite a few people swear by this as the home remedy for kidney stones. Also, read 6 health benefits of apple cider vinegar.
Citrate is responsible for the breakdown of kidney stones made with calcium deposits. Lemon juice has abundant citrate, thus making it a good home remedy for kidney stones. Having lemon juice with warm water on an empty stomach is very useful. Having natural lemon juice is preferable as the bottle versions have more sweeteners, which increase kidney stones.
Basil or tulsi has high amounts of acetic acid, another component that helps in the dissolution of calcium-based kidney stones. Basil leaves are known to balance uric acid. Some even believe that having basil juice will end up expelling kidney stones. Read more on the health benefits of tulsi (basil).
This is another home remedy that many people vouch for. Having a glass of pomegranate juice every day can work wonders for your kidney stones. The astringent properties of pomegranate make them an ideal remedy.
Much like how they resemble their namesake, kidney beans are beneficial if you have the problem of kidney stones. They are rich in magnesium, a mineral that helps in dealing with kidney stones. Boil the beans till they are soft and use the water as a broth.
Celery is like the elixir of life when it comes to kidney stones. It helps in increased urine output and is a superfood when it comes to kidney health. You could have it in your soup or mix it with your juice. Celery seeds, if consumed regularly, even discourage the formation of kidney stones.
A diet that is high in processed foods, colas and energy drinks is mainly responsible for kidney stones. Most of these drinks are highly diuretic, thus increasing your dehydration levels. Even alcohol consumption should be discouraged if one is suffering from kidney problems. Changing one’s diet, tilting more towards natural foods has been known to show improvements in kidney health, mainly due to the element of fibre and plethora of vitamins and minerals that the fruits and vegetables bring.
If the kidney stone home remedies were not effective in flushing it out within 6 weeks, it would be in the patient’s best interest to visit a doctor. Moreover, a visit must be made if the following serious symptoms start to persist:
After a consultation, the doctor will prescribe medication or another form of treatment to help the patient pass the stone.
Although a painful process, it is very much possible to pass a kidney stone by yourself. You can simply add the aforementioned home remedies into your daily schedule until it is flushed out. Moreover, making a habit out of these home concoctions may help in preventing the formation of further stones in the future. For the pain, you can always consume some over-the-counter medicines to help ease the discomfort.
Once you do manage to get the stone out, you might want to save it for further examination. In order to do this, you will need to filter out the urine with the help of a urine screen which can be procured from a doctor’s office. An examination of the stone by your doctor can help in determining a specific prevention plan to avoid future inconveniences.
Also, read more on 5 Kidney Stones Symptoms to Watch Out.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
That radiating pain in your back and abdomen might be because of something more than sleeping in an awkward position. Kidney stones could be the reason behind the debilitating pain you have been experiencing. Turns out that when your father told you to drink those gallons of water, he knew what he was talking about. Kidney stones are very painful.
Kidney stones are made formed when minerals and salts get deposited. They can affect you anywhere in your urinary tract. Be it your kidneys, ureters, urethra or your bladder; they can be located anywhere. Kidney stones can be formed in anyone. However, certain people are more susceptible than others. Those who have a family history of kidney stones tend to suffer from them. Not drinking enough water, drinking too much or having a high protein diet all contribute to increasing the odds of developing kidney stones. Too much salt or sugar intake also increases the chances of having kidney stones. Those that have a high body mass index (BMI) or have had gastric surgery too are at risk.
There are mainly four kinds of kidney stones. Calcium stones are formed due to a high amount of oxalates in the diet. High intake of Vitamin D, certain fruits, nuts, vegetables and even chocolate have a high level of oxalates. Uric Acid stones are a result of dehydration. Those who drink fewer fluids or have gout suffer from these. Cystine stones are formed when you are genetically susceptible to them. They are formed when kidneys excrete high amounts of specific amino acids. The last type is Struvite stones. These are formed due to some urinary tract infection and here are some home remedies for UTI if you need some quick relief.
There are many warning signs of kidney stones. If you have more than three of these, please consult your doctor immediately.
People who have kidney stones feel nauseous frequently.
Radiating pain that shoots towards the abdomen and groin is another sign of kidney stones. The pain comes in waves and fluctuates in its intensity. The stones go unnoticed until they move down the ureters. This severe pain is known as renal colic.
Also Read: Too Much Protein Symptoms: Exploring the Impact on Your Health
Pink, brown or red urine should ring warning bells about kidney stones in your body. It could be cloudy and even might smell very foul.
Another important sign in males is repeated vomiting and flank pain radiating to scrotum is a specific finding in kidney stone.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Kidney stones induce frequent urination in patients. However, the urine will come in small amounts, sometimes just in drops. The need to urinate will be ever-present. Sometimes the stones can block the urine from being excreted. This is a urinary obstruction and is a dangerous condition as it can lead to kidney damage.
Kidney stones are commonly known to recur within a couple of years of their first occurrence. Severely painful situations are usually encountered in patients who have an impacted kidney stone when the size of the stone is large enough to not allow it to pass through a ureter easily which may require a medical or surgical intervention.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D
Those that have kidney stones and also an infection in their system will suffer from fever and chills.
In case, you do have kidney stones; there is no need to panic. Most can be treated with oral medications and by drinking lots of water. If you have an infection, a round of antibiotics will also be needed.
Also Read: Tips to Keep Kidneys Healthy
Did you know?
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
