Knowing the right home remedies and treatments for this problem is vital as the pain of kidney stones is indeed severe. Read on to discover some super home remedies that actually work and work without any side effects.
About 16 percent of global population suffers from this painful condition at some point in their lives. There are many effective natural remedies for kidney stones, but you should always check with a health professional or doctor because kidney pain may be indicative of a more serious trouble and a more serious trouble may need a more serious treatment.
Kidney stones are deposits of organic substances or minerals in the kidneys; sometimes they may be minuscule, or they may even grow to a pea size or maybe even bigger. Mostly the victims are men in the age group of 20-40 years, and this problem in congenital. That is, if your parents or uncles have them, then you are also at risk as well.
Kidney Stone Pain
This type of kidney pain can be downright unbearable! If you are one of the unlucky ones to have a kidney stone or two, you are not alone. It happens to be one of the most common health ailments faced today.
A kidney stone is a hard crystal formation within the kidneys or out in the urinary tract which may cause pain and discomfort if not able to pass through the system naturally.
So what causes these stones at the first place? Well, their formation can be accounted to several controllable and uncontrollable factors. Kidney stone pain in the body is an indication that something is going wrong in the region and needs immediate care and attention. The symptoms should not be taken lightly and only managed by using over the counter painkillers or simple kidney stone remedies as the condition may deteriorate with the passage of time.
It is always best to check with a health professional.
Unbearable Agony!
Man clutching his kidneys showing severe pain
A kidney stone pain can occur suddenly and may go off in a while. This may start as pains of shorter duration to bigger ones that are almost unbearable. The pain becomes unbearable at times and should be attended to by a medical expert who can diagnose and confirm the exact cause of the pain. The stone formation presses against the tissues which causes the pain. The smaller stones may pass into the bladder and move out in the urine but the bigger ones remain inside and these are real troublemakers. These may keep increasing in size and cause other complications if left untreated.
The pain that kidney stones cause is an alarm that this is an onset of a problem in this area of the body. This pain should not be overlooked in any case and neither should it be suppressed with self-medication. Home remedies are sometimes ineffective in managing kidney stone pain and medical advice is very much needed in order to treat this condition fully.
Symptoms of a Kidney Stone
Kidney stone symptoms may be multiple out which some may manifest early while some may occur later on with severe effects. Typically it starts with blood in the urine which may be smelly at times. There may be sharp pain in the lower back, abdomen or in the groin region. This may be acute and may happen suddenly and become unbearable. This does not subside even if the person changes position or posture. In acute cases there may be infection in the urinary track which may lead to high fever. The person finds difficulty in urinating and is in a very uncomfortable situation where there is a constant urge to urinate.
The pain may also be accompanied with nausea, vomiting and excess sweating in some people with a feeling of discomfort.
Small sized stones may go undetected for years, without any symptoms, but when they become large enough to block the passage of urine through the ureter, then you may feel severe pain during urination. Other symptoms are chills, blood in urine, nausea, fever and exhaustion. So if you have any of these symptoms and you think you may have a stone or two, read the lower sections of this article as we have some proven home remedies that will definitely help to get rid of them.
Causes of Kidney Stones
While there is no specific reason as to what causes these kidney stones there may be a few known reasons responsible for the same. Majority of the stones are made up of calcium though there may be other substances responsible for the same. High levels of uric acid in the blood may cause uric acid kidney stones.
The basic reason for stone formation is less intake of water. This is called dehydration which may be due to a person taking less water and other liquids or due to some medical reasons where the retention of fluids becomes lesser. If the fluid intake is less the excess minerals and toxins are not flushed out of system properly. The kidneys have to work extra hard and the mineral deposits are accumulated and may lead to crystal formation over a period of time. The dehydration could be due to less intake of water by a person or external reasons like a hot climate where the body needs extra fluids to keep the system hydrated.
People who have a family history of kidney stones are more prone to developing these at some point in their life. The agony a stone can cause is just a signal from the kidneys that something needs to be taken care of to maintain the balance.
CC BY-NC by Kurt and Sybilla
Pain Relief
The first step is to diagnose the disease which is by taking a helical CT scan to begin with. This can detect almost all types of stones with great success. Ultrasound technique is used in rare cases where CT scan is not advisable such as in the case of pregnant women and small children.
Most kidney stones pass through the urinary tract within two days if right amounts of liquids and fluids are taken. The doctor may prescribe medication for pain relief at the first place. Then medication for facilitating the dissolution of stones is tried so that these pass out of the body smoothly.
If this does not help then methods like surgical techniques (invasive) or lithotripsy (non-invasive) are used. In surgical techniques a incision is made in order to physically reach the stone and pick it out from its location. This method may be slightly painful and the wound may take a while to heal. The person may have to take bed rest for a couple of days. In lithotripsy shock waves are passed through the body which break up the stone into smaller pieces and these can then easily pass out of the system in the urine. However surgical technique has to be adopted when the stone is quite large and the condition of the person is critical.
Natural Home Remedies
The following natural remedies can all help the condition of kidney stones and may even cure it completely but if the problem persists make sure to visit your doctor for professional consultation.
Foods to Avoid
- Avoid Oxalates: You should avoid oxalates as much as is possible, especially when you are vulnerable to kidney stones. Oxalates are there in decaffeinated tea and in some vegetables and fruits such as rhubarb, sorrel, star fruit, and beets.
- Avoid Too Much Vitamin C: As body converts vitamin C into oxalates, you should avoid high doses of vitamin C. You can get it from citrus drinks instead of taking vitamin supplements.
- Avoid Too Much Protein: Protein consumption can expedite the formation of calcium or uric acid in the urine, which may ultimately lead to kidney stones so even tho you need a little, don’t overdo it.
Foods to Include
- Drink A Lot of Water: You should drink at least eight glasses of water every day to reduce the risk of kidney stones. If you don’t like the idea of drinking water, then you can substitute it with some non-alcoholic or caffeine-free beverage. But bear in mind, drinking lot’s of clean pure water is very curative, not only for the kidneys, but also for many many other health conditions. So take it seriously.
- Fiber Rich Foods: You should consume lots of fiber as it reduces the levels of oxalates and calcium in your urine. Bran flakes are excellent way to get fiber. So eating lot’s of fiber rich foods is a great home remedy.
- Magnesium: Other natural remedies include Magnesium. Whole wheat bread is rich in magnesium, which is an important mineral that counteracts the stone formation in kidneys. Many studies have indicated that all those who consume high amounts of magnesium can avoid stones. Whole wheat bread is also a high fiber food, so eat it!
- Nettle Leaf: Nettle leaf is fantastic for promoting urination and keeps water flowing through your kidneys. This helps in preventing the formation of crystals and also flushes out any bacteria. Nettle leaf helps in maintaining the electrolyte balance in the urine. You can keep dried nettle leaf in airtight containers away from heat and light. You can source it from a health food store.
- Citrates: Citrates are also excellent in combating this health condition as they help in reducing the build up of uric acid and help in eliminating the build up of calcium salts that can cause the formation of stones. You can get adequate amount of citrates from vegetable juices and fruits such as orange grape or carrot juice.
- Vitamin A: Vitamin A is essential for the health of your kidneys and one of the best sources of Vitamin A is carrots. You can get twice the daily requirement of vitamin A from carrots. Other sources are squash, sweet potatoes, broccoli and pumpkins.
- Vitamin B6: The consumption of Vitamin B6 intake is also an effective treatment. You can get this from lean chicken.
- Cranberry Juice: Cranberry juice is credited for a number of health benefits but did you know it is also effective against kidney stones? Many studies have shown the effectiveness of natural cranberry juice in taking out calcium from the urine, leaving your kidneys free from any calcium oxalate, which is responsible for the formation of one of the most common stones.
- Lemon Juice and Kidney Stones: Another great remedy is lemon. You can drink a mixture (50 percent each) of lemon juice and olive oil as this will break done calcium, allowing the stone to pass out painlessly though the kidneys and bladder.
- Water Melon: Water melon is composed of calcium and magnesium mineral phosphates and carbonates. Potassium, present in water melon is an important ingredient for healthy kidneys as it helps in maintaining the level and managing of acid present in urine. Together with potassium, watermelon also has a high concentration of water which helps in eliminating kidney stones. Consistent usage of water melon may assist quite a bit in treating and also to prevent the stones in the first place.
- Kidney Beans: Kidney beans are extremely proficient in the treatment of kidney or bladder issues. Just remove the beans from within the sheaths, then chop up the skins and lay them in heated water. Now boil the water on reduced heat for hrs till the coverings end up being soft. Lastly sieve the juice then permit it to cool down. Again filter out the juice and take it numerous times throughout the day to obtain alleviate the pain. This preparation should not be kept for even more than 1 Day as it will certainly lose its restorative abilities. At the same time you can also consume kidney beans in a delicious salad. And this one should be an easy one to remember, right? “kidney beans for kidney stones”.
- Bran Flakes: The fiber found in bran flakes will assist in removing the calcium found in your urine and thus cutting down the threat of developing a stone. One bowl of bran flakes when eaten every day may provide your body some 8 mg of fiber. So, to minimize an onset, eat bran flakes on a daily basis.
- Celery: If you have stones, then a cup of uncooked celery extract can help in finding alleviation from the discomfort due to its antibacterial properties. Celery juice assists in removing the contaminants that triggers the development of kidney stones. At the same time raw celery extract is a diuretic, meanings it may help the stone to break down. Just one must consumed a glass of celery juice on a daily basis so as to avoid the additional development of stones. Together with the vegetable you may likewise utilize celery seeds. You will use celery seeds to make an organic tea to treat the condition which can be developed because of uric acid buildup.
- Basil: The basil is a restorative for the kidneys and thus it is good for the total health of kidneys. People must take one tsp of basil extract and merge it with the same quantity of honey and have it daily in the early morning for 5 to 6 months. If you do not enjoy the taste of honey, then you may take pure basil extract or chew two to 3 basil leaves on a daily basis in order to cause stone displacement from the urinary tract.
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Fighting Kidney Stones
Kidney stone pain is an early warning symptom which should not be ignored and thoroughly diagnosed well before the situation becomes critical and life threatening. There are many advanced treatments both invasive and non-invasive which can relieve a person from this condition and the person can return to normal activity in daily life. A treatment in time can easily take care of the kidney stone disease. Though the reasons for kidney stones can be many the best thing is to avoid them.
The best possible solution is to drink lots of water to keep the body system hydrated so that the excess minerals and toxins are flushed out of the system properly. This can definitely save a person from the possible troubles of going through a kidney stone pain. This is a very little effort one can make in order to enjoy a healthy life.
Conclusion
Finally, it is best to monitor yourself to prevent this painful condition. It is normal for the healthy people to pass out two liters of urine everyday. If you are passing out a kidney stone, then (if it is convenient enough) you should use a mesh strainer to catch it, by urinating through it. (Keep a mesh handy in your bathroom at home.) A doctor can analyze the content of the stone, and they may be able to determine its cause and may offer you advice on ways to prevent them from forming again.
Having kidney stones is quite annoying and excruciatingly painful, and you can prevent them from forming and can also reduce your pain (if you already have them) with the help of all these home remedies. Most of the above treatment measures are proven to be very helpful especially in how they attribute in dissolving kidney stones in a natural way. Be advised it is always best to consult with your doctor first before trying any of these home remedies. However, your doctor is most likely to advise taking them as they are all very safe.
Watch this video which explains kidney stone symptoms and treatments.
In this video, A doctor explains how kidney stone pain occurs and develops within the body.
Ebooks related to Kidney Stones
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July 14, 2012
Thanks for providing this information about kidney stones. The home remedies offered here are very helpful indeed.
February 15, 2013
You are very welcome Henry. Glad you appreciate it.
February 10, 2013
I’m so glad I came across your site! I’ve had trouble with kidney stones for the past year or so. My doc has given me painkillers which are suppositories, and I only take them when I get an attack of pain, but I would much rather try a herbal solution to try and get rid of the stones. I quite like the idea of the nettles, and I can get nettle tea in the shops, but I didn’t know that some decaf tea contains oxalates, so I guess I will avoid the nettle tea now. Has anyone got a good idea for making my own nettle tea? Would I just add hot water, or should I cook the nettles and puree them? I would love to hear of anyone else’s drink ideas to combating these stones.
February 15, 2013
Hi Gerda,
Just make the nettle tea as you would any other tea. It is reported to work wonders. I also personally can say that Cranberry juice is amazing for all urinary concerns.
February 10, 2013
My dad and brother both have suffered from kidney stone problems. Fortunately for me I haven’t had them, but I take a lot of care in the things I eat. I make carrot juice and vegetable juices with a squeeze of lemon, plus I eat quite a lot of green veg, like brocoli and make our own butternut squash soup. Now I eat less meat, which is something I believe contributed in particular to my dad getting kidney stones.He ate loads of meat! I guess a healthy diet will always help to keep away many problems, but I enjoyed reading this article as it concentrates in particular to kidney stones. Very informative. A top tip for anyone thinking of changing their diet, get yourself a juicer!
February 15, 2013
Hi Roger, You sound like you are living a healthy life! Thanks for contributing a comment, your input is much appreciated.
February 11, 2013
Both my dad and my uncle had kidney stones, so no wonder why I have them as well. I had no idea kidney stones was a congenital illness and I never imagined I’d have to live with it until last year, when I first suffered from it. It’s a horrible pain to live with and the fear of knowing that it will strike again is very stressful. I’m glad diet plays a significant role in development of kidney stones, because diet is something that I can control 100 percent. I’ll be following every single steps on this article and this year I’m going to avoid kidney stones completely.
February 15, 2013
Hi Jeff,
Yep kidney stones are congenital. If you eat a healthy diet following the tips in this article you will significantly lower the chances of getting them.. All the best!
February 11, 2013
I thought only old people suffered from kidney stones, so I never even thought about the possibility of me ever suffering from it. How ignorant I was. We have several older members in our family who have kidney stones, but you don’t think about you ever getting something like that, until you get it I guess. I’m going to start having lots of carrot juice, sweet potatoes, and cranberry, since I like all three of them a lot. I have one problem though, how do I catch the stones when I pee? Do I have to carry around a mesh at all times? I guess the only way is to either rinse them after use or throw them out after one use. I guess I’ll need to drop by homedepot this afternoon.
February 15, 2013
Hi Tony, Yep, any age can get kidney stones.. about the mesh.. just leave it in the bathroom in case you need it. I wouldn’t suggest carrying it around with you when you’re out and about..lol.
April 3, 2013
Well done!
You have touched the disease that is prevailing in many areas of the world. It is one of the common conditions faced by the health care providers all over the world. The incidence of kidney stones varies with gender, age, race and geographic area. Males suffer more (124 per 100,000) than females (36 per 100,000) [1]. Different types of stones may be found in kidneys i.e. calcium stones (70-80%), uric acid stones (5-10%), cystine stones (1%), struvite stones and mixed stones [2]. Causes of kidney stones include genetic (hyperoxaluria, cystinuria, cystic kidney, Dent’s disease) and anatomic (single kidney, horse shoe kidney, ureteric narrowing) factors, epidemiological factors, abnormal urinary pH, obesity, hypercalcemic disorders, certain drugs (uricosuric agents, sulfadiazine, triamterene, indinavir) and inflammatory bowel disease.
Kidney stones may need surgical or medical management depending upon the condition of the patients. Herbal medicines (antilithics) are also used to dissolve the stones and cause them to pass out through the urinary passage [3]. Diuretic action of such preparations flushes out the deposits. As stated above, increased water intake reduces the risk of developing kidney stones, decreases their recurrence and prolongs the recurrence time [4]. Vitamin C intake increases the risk of symptomatic kidney stones. Vitamin A is necessary for the development of kidney and prevents kidney stone disease, infection, inflammation, and scarring. However, recent studies show no advantage of high fiber diet to prevent kidney stones [6,7].
References:
1. Johnson CM, Wilson DM, O’Fallon WM, Malek RS, Kurland LT. Renal stone epidemiology: A0 25-year study in Rochester, Minnesota. Kidney Int. 1979; 16: 624-31.
2. Barnela SR, Soni SS, Saboo SS, Bhansali AS. Medical management of renal stone. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2012; 16: 236-9.
3. Gohel MD, Wong SP. Chinese herbal medicines and their efficacy in treating renal stones. Urol Res. 2006; 34: 365-72.
4. PubMed. Increased water intake may help reduce the risk of recurrence of kidney stones but more studies are needed [online] 2012 Apr 18 [cited 2013 Apr 3]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0012675/.
5. Taylor EN, Stampfer MJ, Curhan GC. Dietary factors and the risk of incident kidney stones in men: new insights after 14 years of follow-up. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2004; 15: 3225-32.
6. Hiatt RA, Ettinger B, Caan B, Quesenberry CP, Duncan D, Citron JT. Randomized controlled trial of low animal protein, high fiber diet in the prevention of recurrent calcium oxalate kidney stones. American Journal of Epidemiology. 1996; 144: 25-33.
7. Agarwal MM, Singh SK, Mavuduru R, Mandal AK. Preventive fluid and dietary therapy for urolithiasis: An appraisal of strength, controversies and lacunae of current literature. Indian J Urol. 2011; 27: 310-19.
By:
Dr. Muzammil Irshad, MBBS
April 3, 2013
Thank you very much for your useful and informative input. Your resource and doctors advice regarding kidney stones has really added some value to this page. I am certain my readers will appreciate your professional input.
Your comments are very welcome Please feel free to add more of these valuable comments on other pages of this site you find useful. Thanks again!
July 10, 2013
I have an all natural daily use dietary supplement that is available to treat kidney stones. It’s daily use, not designed to be taken during pain. It’s to be used as preventative maintenance to avoid pain and stones all together.
The company is brand new and I’d love to get the word out.
Thank You,
Jeremy
Kidney Stones Treatment, LLC