Kidney stones are one of the common disorders of the urinary tract. They are small, solid crystals that develop when salts or minerals in urine become solid inside the kidneys or uterus. The sizes of the solid masses may vary as they can be too small as a grain of sand or as large as a lemon. Kidney stones, also called renal calculi and depending on where they are located, kidney stones are known as urinary calculi, urinary tract stone disease, renal calculi, nephrolithiasis, ureterolithiasis and urolithiasis.
There are various factors which are responsible for the formation and growth of kidney stones. It can be due to underlying metabolic conditions, such as renal tubular acidosis, Dent`s disease, Hyperparathyroidism and medullary sponge kidney. Many health facilities will screen for such disorders in patients with recurrent kidney stones. Kidney stones are more common in patients suffering from Crohn`s disease. According to the history of some kidney stone cases, there have been some evidences that water fluoridation may increase the risk of kidney stone formation. In one study, patients with symptoms of skeletal fluorosis are likely to develop kidney stones. However, fluoride may also be an inhibitor of urinary stone formation. It has been believed among the mainstream medical community that vitamin C causes kidney stones, which may be based on science. Although some individual recent studies have found a relationship there is no clear relationship between excess ascorbic acid intake and kidney stone formation.
In addition to these, deficiency of vitamin A causes a shedding of epithelium and causes kidney stones. Apart from these, altered urinary solutes and colloids, decreased urinary output of citrate, renal infection, prolonged immobilization, inadequate urinary drainage, hyperparathyroidism, Randall`s plaque and Microliths are traced as responsible for developing kidney stones. Usually clinical diagnosis is done on the basis of the location and severity of the pain following the symptoms of the disease. The pain in kidney stone is typically colic in nature. It comes and goes in spasmodic waves. Pain in the back is felt when calculi produce an obstruction in the kidney. Imaging is used to confirm the diagnosis and a number of other tests can be undertaken to help establish both the possible cause and consequences of the stone.
There are different types of kidney stones among them the most common type of kidney stone is composed of calcium oxalate crystals. The factors that promote the precipitation of crystals in the urine are associated with the development of these stones. Another kidney stone is struvite stone. This is also known as an infection stone, may form after there is an infection in the urinary system. Uric acid is also hold responsible in forming kidney stones called uric acid crystals. Other types of kidney stones are calcium phosphate and cystine. Moreover, Urolithiasis has also been noted to occur in the setting of therapeutic drug use, with crystals of drug forming within the renal tract in some patients currently being treated with Indinavir, Sulfadiazine or Triamterene.
Treatment of kidney stones can be done in various ways. There are several alternative medicines that may prevent kidney stone from growing acute or developing to the extreme level of severity. In alternative medicines Nutritional Therapy, Hydrotherapy, Herbal medicines, Ayurveda, Naturopathic Treatment and Dietary changes are applied to lessen the acuity of the disease.
According to Nutritional therapists and Naturopathic Treatment, many types of kidney stones are the result of an improper diet. So to minimize the risk of kidney stones, a proper diet should be followed. A diet that is low in fiber and high in refined carbohydrates, animal protein (including meat and dairy products), and alcohol should be avoided as advised by the doctors. Protein can cause problems by prompting the body to lose more calcium in the urine, making it available for stone formation. High intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans are advisable to bar kidney stones. A vegetarian diet, consisting of no beef, poultry, or seafood, is often recommended as an ideal way to meet these nutritional guidelines. Daily water consumption should be about four quarts, and specific foods, such as those high in oxalate (peanuts, chocolate, coffee, spinach and other leafy greens, black tea, rhubarb), should be cut from the diet. Including all these, deficiencies in some vitamins and minerals are also hold responsible in the formation of kidney stone.
Herbal therapy which is one of the ancient practices of India is also beneficial for treating kidney stones. Herbs can be used to break the stones down and prevent their formation in the first place. Herbal medicines can also encourage the flow of urine and relieve the irritated walls of the urinary tract. Gravelroot has long been used to dissolve kidney stones. Including this, madder, hydrangea, and rumex can also help break up stones. Aloe Vera juice is helpful to clear stones and prevents new ones from forming. Apart from all these herbs the practitioners of herbal therapy suggest various other medicines considering the severity, growth and place of the stones.
Reflexology, a form of bodywork is effective to stimulate the organs and regulate bodily functions and this is considered to be effectual in treating kidney stones. Treatment can focus on the reflexes of the pituitary gland, thyroid and parathyroid glands, spleen, and kidney, among others. Even Homeopathy is largely used in reducing stones from kidney. There are some common remedies that are hugely used while treating kidney stones. Medicines such as berberis, magnesia phosphorica, and sarsaparilla are prescribed by the doctors to get relief from kidney stones. An alternative medicine has to offer Hydrotherapy in treating kidney stones have been revered as one of the soothing ways of treatment. It suggests to apply water, ice, steam and hot and cold temperatures to maintain and restore health depending on the conditions of the kidney stones. Sometimes the patients are suggested to take full body immersion, steam baths, saunas, sitz baths, colonic irrigation and the application of hot and or cold compresses.
Kidney stones are painful when they are affect internal areas of human body and causes severe pain. It may cause blood in urine and sometimes pus in urine. Even more, it can result obstruction of ureters and bladder. To get rid of this disease, proper diet should be maintained and water should be consumed in abundance as the doctors suggest it can lessen the acuity of the stones.
