The kidneys are essential organs in the human body because their role is to eliminate waste, maintain water balance and filter minerals and toxins in the blood.
It is therefore essential to take care of them at all times.
Did you know that the largest kidney stone removed weighed almost a kilo and was 17cm in diameter?
The size of a coconut!
Kidney stones form inside the kidney and are very difficult to pass.
Prevention is therefore the key to not experiencing renal colic and the unbearable pain that accompanies it.
Contents
What is kidney stone?
Kidney stones are crystallized lumps that can form in the kidneys, urethra, bladder.
Urine contains calcium, potassium, uric acid, and phosphate.
If the level of one or more of these particles rises, or if the urine becomes too acidic, they aggregate and crystallize.
If the imbalance is left untreated, the crystals grow in size within weeks, months, or even years, forming a stone.
Calcium oxalate compound stones are responsible for 80% of the most common kidney stones.
The rarest consist of calcium phosphate or uric acid.
There is also a third category of stones which are composed of minerals like magnesium, ammonium phosphate or struvite which are most often caused by bacterial infections.
The fourth and rarest category is related to a genetic disorder or to taking certain drugs.
What are the symptoms of a kidney stone?
A kidney stone remains silent until it moves.
As it travels from the kidney to the urethra, it irritates the walls of the urinary tract.
Their nerve endings then send a pain signal to the nervous system.
Rubbing the stone can also cause bleeding, which is found in the urine.
Nausea, vomiting, and burning with urination may also occur.
If a stone is too large and blocks urine, an infection may develop or reflux that damages the kidneys.
But most kidney stones aren’t that dangerous and don’t require invasive treatment.
What is the treatment for kidney stones?
Crystals smaller than 5 millimeters are usually expelled naturally through the urine.
The doctor simply recommends drinking plenty of water to speed up expulsion while prescribing a pain reliever.
If the calculation is a little larger, an alpha blocker drug can help relax muscles in the urethra so that the lump can be passed more easily.
Other substances made with potassium citrate can dissolve stones by regulating the acidity of the urine.
For medium-sized stones larger than 10 millimeters, the treatment option focuses on ultrasound to pulverize them.
They then turn into fine debris that can be removed naturally.
However, this method is not recommended if the stone is very large.
More invasive means are therefore sometimes necessary:
- a stent can be placed in the urethra to enlarge it
- laser treatment can destroy the stone
- the stone can be removed by surgery
What is renal colic?
Renal colic is the medical term for pain caused by kidney stones.
When they stay lodged in the kidney and do not move, they are imperceptible.
But when a stone moves towards the urethra, it triggers a very intense pain called renal colic.
If, moreover, it blocks the urine, a major inflammation occurs and triggers a very sharp pain in the lower back, on the affected side, in the abdomen or in the groin.
Renal colic pain develops in waves that fluctuate in intensity.
It can be minor, moderate, or so intense it becomes unbearable.
Prevention of kidney stones
The doctor recommends that predisposed patients drink heavily, which dilutes the calcium oxalate which causes the stones.
Foods like spinach, crisps, rhubarb, and beets contain a lot of calcium oxalate and should be avoided.
And although there is a significant level of calcium in stones, the calcium from the diet can help send oxalate to the digestive system and not to the kidneys.
Best home remedy for kidney stones
The need for plenty of water to prevent kidney stone formation cannot be overstated.
But some home remedies can also help you get rid of them.
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A diet rich in fiber
A diet high in insoluble fiber slows stone formation while preventing the risk of recurrence.
Foods like vegetables, fruits, seeds, and green leafy vegetables are inexhaustible sources of insoluble fiber.
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Salt and kidney stones
Too much salt in the diet is very bad for the kidneys.
Too much sodium increases calcium in the urine and therefore contributes to stone formation.
In addition, salt increases blood pressure and this rise is reflected in the arteries that supply blood to the kidneys, which can ultimately lead to kidney failure.
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Vegetable proteins
Protein is both a necessary supplement and a curse when it comes to kidney stones.
On the one hand, animal proteins directly contribute to their formation, on the other, vegetable proteins are very suitable for preventing stones.
You will find plant proteins in green peas, beans, soybeans, almonds, quinoa, hummus, chia seeds, and spirulina.
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Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is excellent for dissolving kidney stones.
It actively helps in their reduction and prevents their formation when consumed daily.
Two tablespoons of vinegar diluted in a glass of water should be consumed three times a day if you wish to dissolve the stones.
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Kidney beans and kidney stones
Kidney beans contain a lot of fiber and vitamin B.
These nutrients support kidney and urinary tract health, prevent new stones from forming, and help dissolve them when they are already present.
Kidney stones natural treatment
Just like the lungs need oxygen, the kidneys need nutrients and vitamins to function properly.
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Vitamin B6
Research has shown that vitamin B6 reduces calcium oxalate and thus prevents kidney stones, especially in women.
Thus, a strong contribution of vitamin b6 pyridoxine (#ad) from both supplementation and diet may be beneficial in preventing stones.
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Magnesium
Magnesium helps dissolve calcium in the urine and reduces the absorption of oxalate in the intestines, which helps prevent kidney stones.
In addition, a study concluded that the combination of magnesium citrate and potassium citrate helped reduce relapses of renal lithiasis for 3 years.
A dosage of 400mg of magnesium oxide is recommended but it may be more judicious to combine potassium and magnesium citrate (#ad) to prevent recurrences.
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Fish oil
A study showed that patients with kidney stones who took fish oil at a rate of 1800 mg per day for 3 to 18 months noted a marked reduction in the level of calcium in the urine.
Omega 3 supplementation (#ad) can therefore be indicated for prevention as well as a one-off treatment.
Plants for kidney stones
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Is dandelion good for the kidneys?
Due to its natural diuretic action, dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) has the ability to increase urine flow and therefore prevent kidney stones.
It also helps fight urinary tract infections by preventing bacteria from adhering to the walls of the bladder.
Taking a dandelion roots supplement (#ad) requires increasing the water intake and if possible bringing it to consumption of two liters per day.
Note that dandelion is not recommended in cases of kidney failure, liver problems or gallbladder stones, duodenal ulcer, or heart problems.
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Drink pomegranate juice in the morning
The pomegranate is very rich in antioxidants which not only protect from free radical damage but prevent stone formation by decreasing the acidity of urine.
Consuming pomegranate juice every day can help you dissolve and eliminate them naturally because this fruit has compounds that help relax the urinary tract thus allowing easier excretion.
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Lemon and kidney stones
Lemon juice with a dash of olive oil can help dissolve small stones.
Combined with constant and abundant hydration, you will manage to reduce their size to eliminate them naturally.
A study has shown that lemon is equivalent to taking potassium citrate to inhibit crystallization and prevent the risk of kidney stones.
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Pumpkin seeds
Studies in Thailand show that pumpkin seeds (#ad) consumed each day significantly decrease calcium oxalate crystals as well as urinary calcium.
In addition, they are said to have the ability to inhibit stone formation.
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Nettle and kidney stone
The aerial parts of nettle are recognized by the World Health Organization both for their action in the treatment and prevention of kidney stones.
A study published in 2014 demonstrated the effectiveness of a nettle extract (#ad) against calcium oxalate and its ability to dissolve kidney stones.
It is also very indicated in the treatment of all kinds of urological ailments.
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Parsley to cleanse the kidneys
Parsley is a common herb that has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and diuretic properties.
It has the ability to reduce the formation of calcium oxalate by decreasing the excretion of calcium and increasing the urinary pH.
You can consume parsley as an infusion at the rate of 2 grams for a cup of water.
You may prefer a parsley supplement like this (#ad).
How to dissolve kidney stones naturally?
Anyone who has ever experienced renal colic swears they never want to experience such torture again.
Kidney stones can be prevented by monitoring your water intake and controlling your diet.
Certain foods should be avoided as others should be preferred.
And if kidney stones develop, it may be wise to combine targeted supplements and even herbs to try to dissolve the stones somewhat to be able to eliminate them naturally.
* Read more:
Urinary tract infection natural treatment
References:
- Magnesium – https://rcm.mums.ac.ir/article_6027.html
- Vitamin b6 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5752631/
- Omega 3
- Pumpkin seeds – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3799495/
- Nettle – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25310585/
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