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 STONE:
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:
a) Nausea or sometimes vomiting.
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.
f) Bad smell and foamy urine.
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
citric acid in 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 ofcalcium 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:
· Low blood sugar
· Low blood pressure
· 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.
