While they can hurt when traveling through the urinary canal, kidney stones are solid mineral and acid salt deposits that do not harm the kidneys permanently. Severe pain, generally in the side of the abdomen, is the most typical symptom, frequently accompanied by nausea.
Understanding the existing types of stones, their causes, and how to manage kidney discomfort at home can help you be safe and comfortable, even if dealing with it can be challenging. Treatment options for the stone pass include painkillers and drinking lots of water. Larger stones may need to be removed or broken apart using medical techniques.
This article provides an understanding of kidney stones and the various treatment approaches, and medical and home remedies that you can use.
Types of Kidneys Stones and Their Causes
There are four types of kidney stones: calcium, struvite, uric acid, and cystine. Calcium stones are caused by hypercalciuria and calcium over-intake in the urine. They are made of calcium and oxalate and are more common after intestinal surgery or inflammatory bowel illness; and can also be caused by renal tubular acidosis.
Struvite stones contain struvite, a calcium carbonate compound, magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate. The urine’s pH is increased by ammonia, making it more alkaline and encouraging struvite growth.
Uric acid crystals occur when the pH of the urine falls below 5.5, a condition known as hypercalciuria. Those who consume much protein are more likely to develop uric acid stones.
Cystine stones are uncommon and only occur in people with cystinuria, a hereditary metabolic abnormality.
Treatment Approaches
Drink Plenty of Water
You don’t want other kidney stones to form because of dehydration. Therefore, it is essential to take plenty of water. Increasing your water intake will hasten the process of passing a stone. Instead of the customary 8, aim for 12 glasses of water daily. Look closely at the color of your urine. It ought to be an extremely light shade of yellow. If dehydrated, then your urine shade will be dark yellow urine. Once the stone has been passed, consume 8 to 12 glasses of water daily. It will help you stay healthy.
Professional Medical Help
There are trusted medical products and service providers that make it easy to purchase and deliver needed medical supplies to relieve kidney pain. It is essential to have hot water bottles or heating pads to apply heat on the painful area to alleviate discomfort and pain. You can purchase over-the-counter pain meds from your medical products provider like acetaminophen or brufen for temporary relief from inflammation and pain.
Acquiring a strainer is also essential for catching stones as they pass, since it will aid during diagnosis and treatment on your next appointment. Hydration products like electrolyte solutions can enable your body to replace minerals and fluids lost during the process. Furthermore, drinking lots of fluids flushes out the stones from your body system. You can contact a medical products and service provider for more advice on using these remedies efficiently.
However, if the pain becomes unbearable and consistent, you should seek help from a doctor. It will help in preventing the development of any complications and will provide you with medically efficient ways to manage the pain.
Take Drinks and Foods with High Citrus Content
Citrus fruits such as lemons and lime, in particular, contain citric acid. These can help relieve kidney pain due to their citrus content which prevents the formation of new kidney stones by binding with calcium in the urine. It also helps pass the stones by forming a bond with existing calcium oxalate crystals, which stops stones from enlarging. Hence, they can quickly pass while small before they grow into larger stones.
Take Healthy Juices
Pomegranate juice has been used to enhance kidney function for ages. It contains abundant antioxidants that support kidney function and may also play a part in preventing kidney stones from forming. It will remove stones and other poisons from your body.
Apple juice may aid in keeping urine acidic, preventing the formation of more germs, and promoting kidney healing after an infection. A nutrient-rich diuretics such as wheatgrass juice and parsley juice help speed up the removal of kidney germs from the body by increasing urine flow. It should be consumed in doses of 2 to 8 ounces daily, preferably on an empty stomach, to lower the risk of motion sickness. It may occasionally result in constipation and lack of appetite. Parsley juice may be used with strong-flavored fruits like cranberries or blueberries to make a smoothie.
Whether or not you have kidney stones, knowing the different types of kidney stones and their causes is important as it will help you monitor your diet to avoid getting them. Therefore, seek to understand where you may be worried and consult with medical personnel.
