Kidney Stones Home Remedy

This page provides several kidney stones home remedy. You'll also find answers to some of the common questions.

What are kidney stones? How many types of kidney stones are there? What causes kidney stones?

In Latin kidney stones is called renal calculi which when translated means kidney pebbles. Kidney stones are pebble, stone or crystal-like deposits of compounds and minerals. There are about 4 types of kidney stones and the most common are calcium kidney stones and uric acid kidney stones.

Calcium oxalate kidney stones are formed by waste deposits of a chemical compound called calcium oxalate or a mineral called calcium phosphate that isn't dissolved. Uric acid kidney stones are formed due to a high amount of uric acid.

The formations of the stones happen in the kidney and may be found in the minor and major calyces of the kidney. If the stones are small, they may pass easily through the ureter and then to the bladder. Once the bladder is full, the stones will be removed together with urine.

When the stone or crystal isn't small enough to pass through the ureter, it gets stuck along the tube. The kidney will continue to function but because the stone is blocking, waste materials and chemicals that are supposed to pass through are also blocked. This is when pain and complications happen.

The symptoms of kidney stones usually start with an agonizing pain on your lower back. You may later feel the pain in your lower abdomen and groin. You will have the frequent urge to urinate and experience pain when urinating. When you experience the pain, it usually means that the stone is already stuck in your ureter and is being pushed to enter the bladder.

When you visit your urologist, you will most likely undergo a CT scan. She may advice you to do an extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or EWSL to crush the stones if they are big and stuck in the ureter or if there are too many of them. This treatment would normally solve the problem. If not there are 3 other types of surgical treatments.

But if once you've had kidney stones, the risk of developing more is high unless you start taking care of your kidney health.

Try these kidney stone home remedies. A few of them offer temporary kidney stone pain relief. Most of the suggestions are for treating kidney stones. If you have never developed any, it's good to start practicing some good eating habits. If you have had one, what's important now is to prevent new kidney stones from forming.

Kidney Stones Home Remedy No. 1 - Drink lots and lots of water

The recommended daily amount is 8 glasses but you should drink at least 12 big glasses of water. One of the reasons why calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, uric acid and other substances don't dissolve is because your body doesn't have enough water. So that means you don't urinate much. The chemicals in your urine especially citrate contributes to the prevention of crystal deposits.

Kidney Stones Home Remedy No. 2 - Lemon juice with olive oil

The lemon juice mix with olive oil kidney stones home remedy is very popular among kidney stone sufferers. There are many anecdotal evidences to support it as it has shown to produce positive effect. What you need to do is mix 2 oz of lemon juice with 2 oz of olive oil. Drink the mixture. You then follow with a full large glass of water and continue to drink up to 12 glasses of water throughout the day. Try it as soon as you sense the first sign of pain.

Kidney Stones Home Remedy No. 3 - Try lemon juice fasting

Try juice fasting for a few days by only drinking lemon juice mixed with cayenne pepper and maple syrup. Cayenne pepper is a natural cleanser. It will flush impurities in your body. Continue to drink lots of water.

Kidney Stones Home Remedy No. 4 - Drink apple cider vinegar

Add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into a glass of water and drink it every morning. It is believed that apple cider vinegar may break up the stones. You should continue to do this even after your kidney stone is removed.

Kidney Stones Home Remedy No. 5 - Use heat

If you are in pain, try sitting in a tub of warm water for as long as you can stand. Another method you can use is to place a heating pad on the area where it hurts. These methods are for temporary pain relief.

Kidney Stones Home Remedy No. 6 - Avoid certain foods immediately

If you have developed uric acid kidney stone, stop eating animal protein. Eating meat when you already have high uric acid level will increase the formation of uric acid stones.

If it is calcium kidney stones, then you have to limit your consumption of milk and dairy products such as cheese and butter. You may have to stop taking your calcium supplements. Other foods that you should avoid are those that convert to oxalate. Some examples of these foods are chocolates, tea, cola, citrus fruits, peanuts, parsley, spinach and rhubarb.

If you are taking vitamin C supplements, stick to less than 3,000mg a day. This is because vitamin C is converted to oxalate in your body. It's ok to eat fresh fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin C because if you add up your daily intake, you will unlikely reach such a high amount of vitamin C.

Reduce your salt or sodium chloride intake because studies have shown that there is a link between salt intake and kidney stones. You should also avoid tea if you have developed calcium kidney stones because caffeine in tea may make you lose fluid fast.

Kidney Stones Home Remedy No. 7 - Foods you should eat

Eat more foods that are rich in vitamin A. Some examples are potatoes, winter squash, carrots, pumpkin and broccoli. If you are taking vitamin A supplements, ensure that you don't exceed the RDA of 5,000 IU. Exceeding the amount may cause toxicity.

Eat foods that are high in vitamin B6. Foods that are high in vitamin B6 are tuna, wheat bran, pecans, green pepper, cabbage, corn, seeds, legumes, potatoes, carrots and bananas. Poultry is also high in B6. If you don't have any uric acid kidney stones, you may want to add it to your diet.

Eat foods that are rich in magnesium such as whole grains, fruits and green vegetables. Studies have shown that magnesium discourages the formation of kidney stones.

Kidney Stones Home Remedy No. 8 - Take herbs for kidney stones

Try taking herbs that can dissolve or flush out the stone, if there is any. If you do have kidney stones, boost your immune system so that you won't get easily infected with urinary tract infection. And go for herbs that prevent stones from forming.

Studies have shown that stinging nettle may prevent and treat kidney stones. Buchu may support kidney health. Traditional medicine practitioners have been using goldenrod in treating kidney stones. Some other herbs that are used as a home remedy for kidney stones are horsetail, dandelion leaf, burdock root and fennel seed.

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