Top 4 Homeopathic Remedies for Kidney Stone

What is a kidney stone?

A kidney stone is a crystal formed from the chemical waste in the urine when the urine gets highly concentrated with salts and wastes and has very little water to flush them out of the body. A kidney stone is irregular in shape and may range from a size as small as a grain of sand to as big as the size of a golf ball. Most of the time, the stone goes undetected without any symptoms. However, the stone may stay in the kidney or travel down the urinary tract into the ureter once formed. Smaller kidney stones move out of the body through the urine without causing any symptoms. They are called silent stones. Stones of larger size usually cause severe pain and other symptoms while moving.

When a stone gets impacted in the ureter, it may lead to haematuria, scanty urination, and severe pain. Anyone can develop kidney stones, including children, in their lifetime. Nowadays, kidney stones are found in children as young as five years. The increasing incidence of kidney stones in children is mainly attributed to lifestyle and food choices. Out of those, the main contributing factors are eating junk foods and snacks high in salt and sugar content, less water intake, and increased intake of sweetened and carbonated drinks.

Also Read Homeopathic Medicines is Effective for Kidney Stone

Causes of kidney stones

Some of the causative factors of kidney stones are drinking less water, obesity, weight loss surgery, eating foods that contain too much salt or sugar such as chips and fries, urinary tract infections, family history, etc.

Different types of kidney stones

There are mainly four types of kidney stones:

• Calcium oxalate: These kidney stones are the most common type formed when calcium combines with oxalate in the urine. It is due to high levels of oxalate and low amounts of calcium.
• Uric acid: They are the second most common type of kidney stones. These stones are usually formed as a result of eating a high-protein diet such as meats, fish, etc.
• Struvite: These stones are formed due to frequent infections in the upper urinary tract.
• Cystine: These stones are rare and primarily hereditary.

Symptoms of kidney stones

Some kidney stones are tiny as a single grain of sand, while some are as large as a pebble. The symptoms are as severe as the size of the stone increases.

The common symptoms of kidney stones are:

• Constant dull ache in the lower back
• Cloudy urine or blood in the urine
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever and chills
• Strong smelling urine
• Burning urination or pain when urinating.
• Scanty urine or frequent urination
• Sharp pain in the side and back
• Pain radiating from the back to the lower abdomen and groin
• Pain that comes in waves and keeps fluctuating in intensity
• Shifting pain when the stone starts moving in the urinary tract

The symptoms of kidney stones in children

The symptoms of kidney stones in children are:

• Severe colicky abdominal pain
• Dysuria or painful urination
• Nausea and vomiting
• Foul-smelling urine
• Fever with chills
• Blood in the urine

Complications of kidney stones

Kidney stones lead to chronic kidney problems and renal failure when left untreated. In addition, kidney stones tend to recur within 4 to 5 years.

Risk factors

There are several risk factors for developing kidney stones. They are:

• The main reason for developing kidney stones is not drinking enough water and dehydration.
• People with a family history of kidney stones are more likely to develop stones.
• A person who has a previous history of one or more kidney stones is at increased risk of developing another.
• Eating a diet rich in protein, salt, and sugar may increase the risk of developing kidney stones.
• Excessive weight gain is linked to an increased risk of developing kidney stones.
• Digestive diseases and surgeries that might affect the absorption of calcium and water might lead to concentrated urine.
• Certain medical conditions such as hypertension, hypercalciuria, diabetes, osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism, and repeated urinary tract infections can increase the risk of kidney stones.
• Excessive use of supplements like vitamin C
• Excessive use of laxatives
• Certain medications can increase the risk of developing a kidney stone. These medications include diuretics, antacids, antibiotics, etc.

Diagnosis of kidney stones

The diagnosis of kidney stones is made through routine clinical examination, starting with a medical history, physical examination, and imaging tests. To treat a kidney stone properly, the physician will need to know the exact size and shape of the kidney stones. Some of the tests done to confirm the diagnosis are:

• Imaging tests such as an X-ray, CT scan, and ultrasound to identify the size, shape, location, number of stones, etc.
• Blood tests to analyze the levels of calcium, phosphorus, uric acid, and electrolyte levels
• Kidney function tests to find out the functioning capacity of the kidneys
• Urine analysis to know the levels of salts and crystals in the urine and to find out if there are any infections or red blood cells in the urine
• Examination of the stone to determine the type that can help to prevent further stone formation and infections
• Intravenous pyelogram (IVP) and Retrograde pyelogram

Kidney stone treatment

The treatment plan for kidney stones depends on the type of kidney stone and the severity of the symptoms. The symptoms of kidney stone start when it irritates the urinary tract or blocks the ureter. In most cases, smaller kidney stones pass without causing much pain or damage, but the larger stones may lead to severe complications and have to be appropriately treated.

Usually, painkillers are prescribed to control the pain. However, people with complicated kidney stones and long-lasting pain may need to be hospitalized and require surgery. Some of the procedures to treat kidney stones are:

• Shock-wave lithotripsy: It is a non-invasive procedure where high-energy sound waves are used to blast the stones into tiny fragments.
• Ureteroscopy: In this procedure, an endoscope is inserted through the ureter to remove the stone.
• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy or nephro-lithotripsy: It is a procedure used to remove large kidney stones.

Prevention and management of kidney stones

Many ways can help to avoid the risk of developing kidney stones. Simple lifestyle changes and proper dietary routines, along with the following steps, can prevent the formation of kidney stones.

• One of the top ways of preventing kidney stones is to drink as much water as possible. It is recommended to take at least 6 to 8 glasses per day. In addition, drinking water and urinating at proper intervals help flush out the waste frequently.
• Reduce salt and sugar intake as it increases the risk of developing kidney stones.
• Try to lose extra weight by following a proper diet and exercising.
• Reduce the amount of animal protein such as meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products and instead eat lots of vegetables and fruits.
• Advice or limit the kids from eating salted snacks such as potato chips, French fries, canned foods and drinks, sodas, and other sweetened drinks.
• Take proper medications and supplements as advised by the physician.

Homeopathic remedies to treat kidney stones

Many homeopathic remedies are successfully used in treating kidney stones. As in any other medical system, the treatment depends on the size and type of kidney stones. Usually, homeopathic remedies are selected according to the individual’s symptomatology and constitution. Many homeopathic remedies for kidney stones are indicated for treating kidney stones on a particular side and type. Various homeopathic mother tinctures help break and flush out kidney stones. When taken along with a proper diet and lots of water intake, homeopathic remedies for kidney stones help treat the symptoms, flush out the stones and help prevent the recurrence of the kidney stones.

Homeopathic medicine for kidney stones can be bought online through various websites. As mentioned above, there are many homeopathic remedies available to treat kidney stones. Of those, the top 4 homeopathic remedies for kidney stones prescribed by homeopathic physicians are Berberis vulgaris, Lycopodium, Cantharis and Hydrangea. Though these are the most important remedies, they are not necessarily suitable for everyone. Each person is different and so are the symptoms, hence it is always advised to consult a homeopathic physician before taking any homeopathic medicine.