Natural Remedies for Kidney Stones, risk factors, symptoms
Kidney stones are one of the most medical conditions. It can lead to severe pain. You may feel the pain on one side of your back or abdomen. However, symptoms of kidney stones occur when the stone begins to move down the ureters. Kidney stones occur when the levels of minerals and salts normally present in urine like calcium and phosphate are high. These tiny particles stick together, making stones that then pass from the kidneys into the urinary tract.Kidney stones are quite painful, and symptoms include sharp pain in your lower abdomen, back, side or groin, pain when you urinate, fever and chills and nausea and vomiting. Since the experience can be painful, it’s important to know that there are simple steps you can take to prevent another attack.Drinking plenty of fluids is an essential part of getting rid of kidney stones and preventing new stones from coming back. Not only does drinking fluids flush out toxins, but it also helps move stones and grit through your urinary tract with ease.In addition to drinking a lot of fluids, try the following natural remedies to help pass those dreadful kidney stones.
1. Basil: Basil makes it harder for kidney stones to form because it contains compounds and acetic acid, which is known to help stabilize uric acid levels and help dissolve stones.
2. Wheatgrass juice: Wheatgrass contains compounds and antioxidants that increase urine production and allow kidney stones to pass more easily while reducing the risk of their formation.
3. Lemon juice: Lemons contain an organic compound known as citrate that helps break down calcium deposits and slow their growth.
4. Extra virgin olive oil: Extra-virgin olive oil is a thick, rich oil that may help ease the passage of kidney stones by lubricating the urinary tract.
Drinking 12 glasses per day may help ease the passage or slow the growth of deposits in the kidneys.
Two tablespoons of pure apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 oz of water may reduce the symptoms of kidney stones and prevent their development. This mixture can be drunk several times a day and may be most effective when consumed before meals.
One or two celery stalks can also be blended with water to create celery juice. Celery juice can be consumed daily to help treat kidney stone symptoms.
Some research indicates that 500 milligrams (mg) of pure, dried uva ursi three times daily may be beneficial for those with kidney stones.
One way to get the benefits from the beans is to remove them from their pods then slowly boil the pods for approximately 5-6 hours. The resulting liquid can then be strained, ideally using a cheesecloth, and served warm or cooled.
The preparation can be consumed several times throughout the day.
The herb also contains compounds known to increase urine output and help dissolve mineral deposits.
All the parts of the plant and its fruits can be consumed raw. The herb may only be available in pill form or dried for use as a tea.
One 500-mg pill, or 1 cup of tea, may be enough to help prevent kidney stones and ease their passage.
Pomegranate juice also contains compounds that lower the acidity of urine, making it harder for stones to form.
Buying whole pomegranates and eating their seeds or juicing them is the easiest way to get these health benefits.
In a pill or capsule form, 500 mg of dried dandelion extract may help ease the symptoms of kidney stones or prevent their formation. In tea or juice form, 3 to 4 cups daily are recommended.
Carbonated, caffeinated, and alcoholic drinks can all increase a person's risk of developing kidney stones.
Also, foods high in sugar, salt, or fat are known to increase the risk of kidney deposits and to intensify symptoms.
According to the most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) kidney stones affect an estimated 8.8% of adults in the United States (U.S.).
Men are more likely to develop kidney stones than women. Approximately 10.6% of men in the U.S. experience kidney stones, compared to 7.1% of women.
African Americans and Hispanic Americans are also considered less likely to report kidney stones.
Some medical conditions, including kidney disease or Crohn's disease, can cause or increase the likelihood of developing the condition. In addition, some medications, including diuretics, HIV treatments, anti-seizure medications, and calcium-based antacids, can increase the risk of kidney stones.
Obesity and diet are considered big risk factors for the condition. In the U.S., an estimated 11.2% of people who are obese develop kidney stones.
Diets high in dehydrating foods and compounds, such as sugar, salt, and alcohol, can contribute to the development of kidney stones. Certain foods, though otherwise nutritious, are also naturally rich in oxalate.
Individuals with a high risk of developing kidney stones may choose to avoid:
However, stones can get stuck in the urinary tract or damage urinary tissues, which usually requires immediate surgery.
Symptoms that should be assessed by a doctor include:
1. Basil: Basil makes it harder for kidney stones to form because it contains compounds and acetic acid, which is known to help stabilize uric acid levels and help dissolve stones.
2. Wheatgrass juice: Wheatgrass contains compounds and antioxidants that increase urine production and allow kidney stones to pass more easily while reducing the risk of their formation.
3. Lemon juice: Lemons contain an organic compound known as citrate that helps break down calcium deposits and slow their growth.
4. Extra virgin olive oil: Extra-virgin olive oil is a thick, rich oil that may help ease the passage of kidney stones by lubricating the urinary tract.
5. Water
Drinking water is one of the easiest ways to prevent and treat kidney stones. Most health authorities recommend drinking 64 ounces (oz) or eight glasses of water per day.Drinking 12 glasses per day may help ease the passage or slow the growth of deposits in the kidneys.
6. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar again contains citric acid that may help dissolve calcium deposits.Two tablespoons of pure apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 oz of water may reduce the symptoms of kidney stones and prevent their development. This mixture can be drunk several times a day and may be most effective when consumed before meals.
7. Celery juice or seed
Celery contains antioxidants and compounds known to increase urine production. Adding celery seeds to meals on a regular basis may help reduce the likelihood of developing kidney stones.One or two celery stalks can also be blended with water to create celery juice. Celery juice can be consumed daily to help treat kidney stone symptoms.
8. Uva ursi
The disinfectant and solvent properties of the herb uva ursi may help cleanse the urinary tract and ease the passage of kidney stones.Some research indicates that 500 milligrams (mg) of pure, dried uva ursi three times daily may be beneficial for those with kidney stones.
9. Kidney bean broth
Kidney beans contain a lot of magnesium, a compound known to help reduce kidney stones and their symptoms.One way to get the benefits from the beans is to remove them from their pods then slowly boil the pods for approximately 5-6 hours. The resulting liquid can then be strained, ideally using a cheesecloth, and served warm or cooled.
The preparation can be consumed several times throughout the day.
10. Tribulus terrestris
Drinks made from the fruits of Tribulus terrestris may help lower phosphate levels in the urine, making it harder for stones to form.The herb also contains compounds known to increase urine output and help dissolve mineral deposits.
All the parts of the plant and its fruits can be consumed raw. The herb may only be available in pill form or dried for use as a tea.
One 500-mg pill, or 1 cup of tea, may be enough to help prevent kidney stones and ease their passage.
11. Pomegranate juice
The astringent and antioxidant properties of pomegranates are thought to reduce the chances of developing kidney stones and ease their passage.Pomegranate juice also contains compounds that lower the acidity of urine, making it harder for stones to form.
Buying whole pomegranates and eating their seeds or juicing them is the easiest way to get these health benefits.
12. Dandelion extract, tea, or juice
Dandelions contain compounds that increase the production of bile and urine, helping to rid the body of waste.In a pill or capsule form, 500 mg of dried dandelion extract may help ease the symptoms of kidney stones or prevent their formation. In tea or juice form, 3 to 4 cups daily are recommended.
13. Lose weight
A healthy weight combined with a healthful diet rich in nutritious, fiber-filled foods, is considered essential to the prevention of kidney stones and for their treatment.Carbonated, caffeinated, and alcoholic drinks can all increase a person's risk of developing kidney stones.
Also, foods high in sugar, salt, or fat are known to increase the risk of kidney deposits and to intensify symptoms.
According to the most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) kidney stones affect an estimated 8.8% of adults in the United States (U.S.).
Men are more likely to develop kidney stones than women. Approximately 10.6% of men in the U.S. experience kidney stones, compared to 7.1% of women.
African Americans and Hispanic Americans are also considered less likely to report kidney stones.
Some medical conditions, including kidney disease or Crohn's disease, can cause or increase the likelihood of developing the condition. In addition, some medications, including diuretics, HIV treatments, anti-seizure medications, and calcium-based antacids, can increase the risk of kidney stones.
Obesity and diet are considered big risk factors for the condition. In the U.S., an estimated 11.2% of people who are obese develop kidney stones.
Diets high in dehydrating foods and compounds, such as sugar, salt, and alcohol, can contribute to the development of kidney stones. Certain foods, though otherwise nutritious, are also naturally rich in oxalate.
Individuals with a high risk of developing kidney stones may choose to avoid:
- spinach
- almonds
- rhubarb
- okra
- beets
- potato chips
- fries
- nut butters
- bran flakes
A person should seek immediate medical attention if severe pain presents in the lower abdomen or genitals. Many kidney stones are treatable using fluid therapy and pain medications.
However, stones can get stuck in the urinary tract or damage urinary tissues, which usually requires immediate surgery.
Symptoms that should be assessed by a doctor include:
- persistent lower abdominal or lower back pain lasting more than 4 weeks
- fever or chills
- vomiting
- nausea
- bloody urine
- loss of consciousness
- painful urination
- cloudy or foul smelling urine