Kidney Stones

Kidney stones formed in the urinary tract came from the build up chemicals such as calcium, phosphorus, uric and oxalic acid. Their sizes vary from the size of a grit, gravel, and sand to that of a bird’s egg.

Most stones are common formed from either calcium oxalate or phosphate. 90% of kidney stones are formed from calcium, and more than half of these are mixtures of ammonium, calcium, carbonates, magnesium and phosphates. The remainder constituents contain oxalate.

Symptoms
Severe pain is felt sideways, and then it extends through the groin and thighs. It takes place as the kidney stones pass by the ureter on their way to the bladder.

Frequent, painful, and scanty urination are usually signs of presence of kidney stones. It is accompanied by chills, nausea, perspiration, and vomiting. There is also a presence of blood when urinating.

Causes
Heavy perspiration and lack of bodily fluids will result to highly concentrated urine, along with defective metabolism will allow kidney stones to form.. Working deskbound the whole day will further aggravate this condition.

Overeating and faulty diet consisting of coffee, tea, meat, white flour and sugary produces, condiments and spices, and excessive consumption of acidic and rich foods will lead the way to formation of these stones.

Vitamin A deficiency as well as excess of vitamin D are also one of its causes.

Home Remedies
Kidney Beans: Kidney beans, French beans or rajmah are applied in various ways of treating kidney stones. To make it as a medicine, first remove the beans inside the pods, slice the pods and boil 60 gm of it in about 4 liter of water for 6 hours. Strain through clean muslin. Let it chill for 8 hours. Pour the liquid in another piece of muslin cloth without stirring it. Take a glass of this decoction every 2 hours for 1 day. Afterwards, continue using this treatment for several times a week. Don’t left unused for more then 24 hours. Store raw pods and but use them immediately when boiled, so as not to eradicate its effectiveness within 1 day.

Basil: Mix 1 teaspoon of basil juice and 1 teaspoon of honey. Take it daily for 6 months.

Celery: Take moderate amount of celery regulary. They are effective in preventing future kidney and gall-bladder stone formation.

Apple: Eat plenty of fresh, ripe apples. Natural unsweetened cider are effective in diminishing stones.

Grapes: Eat liberal amount of grapes. It is rich in water; potassium salt, low albumin and sodium chloride that are excellent cure for kidney stones.

Pomegranate: Ground 1 tablespoon of pomegranate seeds (sweet or sour) into fine paste. Mix with a cup of horse gram soup containing 2 tablespoons of horse gram. It will dissolve kidney gravels.

Watermelon: Eat liberal amount of watermelon and its juices for it is rich in potassium salts that are one of the safest and most effective diuretics kidney stone formation.

Vitamin B6: Take 100-150 mg of vitamin B6 or pyridoxine daily. Combine with other vitamin B complex and continue treatment for several months for complete recovery.

Diets
Drink plenty of fluids up to 3 liters a day to prevent salt stone formation and to control the acidity or alkalinity of the urine.

Avoid foods that aggravate kidney stones such as condiments and pickles; vegetables such as cucumber, radish, rhubarb, spinach and tomato; those that gives off strong aromatic flavors such as cabbage, beans, asparagus fern, onion, cauliflower, gravies and meat. Stay away from drinks such as alcohol and carbonated waters.

Limit intake of calcium and phosphate to prevent formation of kidney stones. These are present in almonds, beet, Bengal gram, cauliflower, carrots, coconuts, spinach, soy bean, whole wheat flour and turnips.

Maintain an acidic urine if stones are made of calcium, magnesium phosphates and carbonates

Keep the alkalinity of the urine if the stone are formed out of uric acid and oxalate. This is achieved by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and acid-forming foods. Avoid sweet breads, and liver and kidney meat for they contain high purine substance.

Limit protein intake to 1 gm per kilogram of food.

Further Suggestions
Administer a warm enema then a 37.8ºC – 44.5ºC hot bath with a cold towel wrapping the head.

To help relieve the pain, apply hot fomentation across the back over the kidney region.

Perform yoga asanas such as pavanmuktasana, uttanpadasana, bhujangasana, dhanurasana, and halasana for they stimulate kidney function.