BEST HOME REMEDIES FOR KIDNEY STONES
Kidney stones have become a very common problem these days. Both
women and men can be affected by this problem. About 5% of women and 12% of
men in the United States are found to develop kidney stones during their
lifetime. Again, 50 percent of them are unaware of the disease, so it is
getting bigger and damaging the kidneys. Many people are dying due to a lack of
understanding, late diagnosis, and treatment. Having a kidney stone does not
necessarily mean surgery. After some initial tests, you can determine the size
of the stone and treat it at home. The problem of kidney stones has increased
more in the last thirty years. But why it remains unknown. Some researchers
believe that changes in eating habits may be the main reason for the increase
in this problem, while others think that it may be due to an increase in the
ability to diagnose the problem. Whatever the reason, there are some ways you
can prevent kidney stones and it is possible to melt these stones naturally.
Let us take a look at how to get rid of this kidney stone at home.
Before that, find out what a kidney stone is and its symptoms.
WHAT IS A KIDNEY STONE?
Minerals accumulate inside the kidneys to form crystals, stones are
formed when these crystal-like substances combine and grow, which are called
kidney stones or renal stones. That is, the disease originates when calcium and oxalate are deposited. These stones inside the kidneys try to get down
to the bladder through the urethra. There is severe pain when the stone passes
through a narrow duct and sometimes the duct gets completely blocked and
prevents the flow of urine. Renal stones can cause severe pain, vomiting, and
bleeding.
CAUSES OF KIDNEY STONE:
1)
Dehydration Or Less Water
Consumption
Kidney stones are formed mainly due to dehydration or lack of
water in the body. The disease occurs when the normal mineral balance begins to
change and this is because of the lack of water dries out other components of
the urine, including salt and minerals. Profuse sweating causes dehydration and
adds to this problem.
2)
Hereditary
If someone in your family has a kidney stone, the chances of
having a kidney stone increase.
3)
History Of Kidney Stone
Unfortunately, people who have had kidney stones are more likely
to have them again. If you had suffered from a kidney stone once, studies
suggest you are up to 50% more likely to form another stone in the next 5 to 10
years.
4)
Chronic Kidney Disease
People with chronic kidney disease are also at risk for kidney
stones. The main cause of kidney stones is considered to be a lack of a sufficient amount of water in the body.
TYPES OF KIDNEY STONES:
There can be four types of kidney stones, but about 80% of all
stones are calcium oxalate stones. Less common forms include struvite, uric acid, and cysteine stone.
SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS OF KIDNEY STONE:
b) Pain in the lower abdomen and groin.
c) Unbearable pain under the ribs and the intensity of this pain
goes up and down.
d) Pain when urinating and dark red, red, or brown urine.
e) Frequent urination and excessive urination.
FIND
OUT THE HOME REMEDIES FOR KIDNEY STONES
There are some easy ways to get rid of kidney stones. Using some
simple ingredients available at home and making a few dietary changes can help
you to get rid of kidney stones and improve your overall kidney health.
1. DRINK WATER
Dehydration contributes a lot to the development of kidney stones.
Therefore, the first thing to do for a kidney stone is to drink plenty of
water. Doctors also give the same advice to many patients with kidney stones.
It has been shown in many patients that kidney stones are reduced by drinking plenty of water if it is not a very serious complication. If a very small stone
appears, it can be cured by drinking enough water and also preventing new
stones from forming. Drink12 glasses of water per day instead of the usual 8
glasses per day. After the stone passes, you should continue to drink 8 to 12 glasses
of water each day. Kidney stone problems are relieved when there is a
sufficient supply of water in the body and proper urination. However, you must
consult a doctor.
2. LEMON JUICE
The citric acid in lemon juice inhibits the formation of calcium
stones. Citric acid can also break up large stones into smaller pieces so that
they can easily pass out through the narrow urethra and prevent pain. Also,
lemon juice has many health benefits like inhibit bacteria growth and provides
vitamin C. So, drink freshly squeezed lemons juice mixed with water every
morning or drink lemon juice at any time of the day.
Citric acid can help to prevent calcium oxalate kidney stone
formation in two ways:
Preventing
stone formation: Citric acid binds with calcium present in
urine and reducing the risk of new stone formation.
Preventing
stone enlargement: Citric acid dissolves the
existing calcium oxalate crystals, preventing them from growing larger. This helps
you pass these crystals with the urine before they turn into larger stones.
Some
other sources of citric acid are to eat more citrus fruits, such as grapefruit, oranges, lemons, or
limes.
3. LIMIT FOODS HIGH IN OXALATES
For people who tend to form calcium oxalate crystals, a high
oxalate intake may increase oxalate excretion in urine can be problematic.
Oxalate has a high affinity to bind with calcium and other minerals, forming
crystals that can lead to stone formation. Oxalate (oxalic acid) is an anti-nutrient
found in many plant foods, including leafy greens, fruits, vegetables, and
cocoa. Our body also produces considerable amounts of oxalate. However, one
should keep in mind that foods high in oxalate also generally found to be very
healthy, so a strict low-oxalate diet is no longer recommended for all
individuals prone to stone-forming. A low-oxalate diet is only recommended for
people who have hyperoxaluria, a condition characterized by high levels of oxalate in the
urine. Before changing your diet, seek advice from a
healthcare professional to find out
whether you may benefit from limiting your intake of oxalate-rich foods, as doing so is not needed for all stone-forming people.
4. DO NOT TAKE HIGH DOSES OF VITAMIN C SUPPLEMENT
Studies indicate that taking high doses of
vitamin C supplements may increase the risk of calcium oxalate kidney stones. A high intake of supplemental
vitamin C beyond the recommended daily intake gets metabolized into oxalic acid
within the body and may increase the excretion of oxalate in the urine. One
Swedish study among middle-aged and older men projected that those who took
vitamin C supplements may be twice as likely to develop kidney stones as those
who do not supplement with this vitamin. However, note that vitamin C from
dietary sources, such as lemons, is not linked with an increased stone risk.
5. GET ENOUGH CALCIUM
There is a common myth that one needs to decrease calcium intake
to reduce the risk of calcium-containing stone formation. However, this is not
true. On the contrary, a diet high in calcium has been found to a decreased
risk of kidney stones formation.
One study was conducted on men who had a previous history of
calcium-containing kidney stones with a diet containing 1,200 mg of calcium per
day. Their diet was also low in animal protein and salt. While the men who participated
in the control group followed a low-calcium diet of 400 mg per day. The men in
the study group had about a 50% lower risk of developing another kidney stone
within 5 years than those in the control group. Taking sufficient dietary
calcium helps them to bind with the oxalate present in the diet and prevent
oxalate absorption by the body. Thus the kidney does not have to pass them
through the urine. Therefore, people getting enough calcium may
avoid kidney stone formation. Dairy
products like milk, yogurt, and cheese are superior dietary sources of calcium.
For most adults, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for calcium is 1,000 mg
per day. However, the RDA is 1,200 mg per day for women over the age of 50 and
everyone over the age of 70.
6. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Apple cider vinegar is another effective home remedy for kidney
stones. It contains acetic acid which dissolves kidney stones. It can help ease
pain caused by the stones along with numerous other health benefits. Mix 2 to 6
teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with 6 to 8 teaspoons of purified water and continues
to eat the mixture throughout the day. But remember; never eat more than 16
tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. If you take insulin, don't eat apple cider
vinegar. If ingested in larger amounts, apple cider vinegar can lead to
osteoporosis and low levels of potassium.
7. CUT BACK ON SALT
If you are prone to forming
kidney stones, restricting sodium can help. Sodium may increase the amount of calcium
excrete through your urine, which
is one of the main risk factors for kidney stones.
Sodium is the major component of common table salt. Thus restricting a high intake of salt may lower the
risk of kidney stone formation. Almost all dietary guidelines recommend that
one should limit sodium intake to 2,300 mg per day. However, most people
consume a lot more than the recommended guideline. One of the best ways to
check your sodium intake is to limit your consumption of packaged, processed
foods, as these foods are stuffed with salt. Excess salt intake also increases
your blood pressure, which is not good for your overall renal health.
8. INCREASE YOUR MAGNESIUM INTAKE
Magnesium is a vital mineral that the body needs to perform
hundreds of metabolic reactions energy production and muscle movements.
Unfortunately, many people do not consume magnesium in sufficient amounts.
There is also some evidence that magnesium may help to reduce the risk of
calcium oxalate stone formation in the kidney. The exact mechanism of how this
works is not fully established, but it has been suggested that magnesium may
reduce oxalate absorption in the gut. The reference daily intake (RDI) for
magnesium is 420 mg per day. If you want to increase your dietary magnesium
intake, avocados, legumes, and tofu are all good dietary sources. To reap
maximum benefits, consume magnesium along with foods that are high in oxalate.
If that is not possible, try to consume this mineral within 12 hours of eating
oxalate-rich foods.
9. KIDNEY BEAN BROTH
A kind of thing called kidney bean is available in the market. It
is better to eat this kidney bean to solve the problem of kidney stones. Kidney
beans are rich in magnesium, helps to reduce stones, and also prevent kidney
stones. You can drink the broth from cooked kidney beans repeatedly throughout
the day. It keeps the kidneys healthy. Peel the beans, and soak them in warm
water for 6 hours. Then strain the liquid from soaked beans using a clean cloth
and drink a few glasses throughout the day.
10. POMEGRANATE JUICE
The anti-oxidant in pomegranate helps to keep the kidneys healthy
and remove stones and other toxins from the body. For this reason, pomegranate
juice has been used for a long time to cure kidney problems. Decide how often
to drink it throughout the day with the advice of a doctor.
11. EAT LESS ANIMAL PROTEIN
A high intake of animal
protein such as
meat, fish, and dairy, are found to increase your risk of
developing kidney stones. Excessive
eating of animal protein may increase calcium excretion and reduce levels of
citrate in your body. In addition, animal protein sources such as the kidney,
liver, and other organ meats are rich in purines. The purine bases are
metabolized into uric acid within the body and may increase the risk of forming
uric acid stones. All foods contain purines in varying amounts but foods from
plant sources are low in these substances.
12. BASIL JUICE
The acetic acid in basil leaves helps to break down kidney stones.
Also, the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agents in its juice help maintain
good kidney health. Eat fresh basil juice at least twice a day. You can also
drink tea with dried basil leaves, several cups a day. However, do not use it
in excessive doses. You avoid the use of
basil juice for more than 6 weeks at a time.
Extended use may lead to:
·
Increased bleeding
So you see how easily you can keep your kidneys healthy with some
of the ingredients at hand and a few dietary changes. Start taking care of your
body today to prevent kidney stones.
WHEN TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR?
You can try some home remedies for this, but you must consult your
doctor before trying. Consult your doctor if you are unable to pass your stone
within 6 weeks or you begin experiencing severe symptoms that include:
·
Severe pain
·
Blood in your urine
·
Fever
·
Chills
·
Nausea
·
Vomiting
Your doctor will perform tests to determine whether you need
medication or any other treatment that will help you to pass the stone.
Note: - If small stones appear, you will be able to remove these
in a homely way. However, in the case of large stones, consult a doctor before
using them.
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