The Occurrence of Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are anomalous hard formations, resembling pebbles, that form in human kidneys. They occur as a result of an excessive amount of certain minerals being present in urine. The primary mineral responsible for kidney stones is calcium. Kidney stones can also form out of uric acid, struvite, and cystine; These all have different, relevant precipitating environmental or genetic factors, and are far less common than calcium stones.
Various medical conditions can precipitate kidney stones. A few of these include urinary tract blockages, chronic bowel inflammation, obesity, and various conditions affecting the kidneys or calcium levels.
Typical symptoms of a kidney stone that is large enough to be troublesome can include intense feelings of the need to urinate, painful urination, blood in the urine, and even nausea and vomiting. These symptoms can sometimes last for multiple days or weeks until the stone leaves the person’s body.
What Happens to Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones can be smooth or jagged, big or small. As a result, there is a varying necessity of medical intervention for kidney stones. They must be approached on a case-by-case basis.
Those that are small enough often pass. When one begins to feel the pain, which indicates a kidney stone, they might choose to wait it out (usually up to six weeks max) until it passes naturally. If it does not, then medication might be prescribed to encourage the passage of the kidney stone, and diminish the associated pain.
When a kidney stone has become too painful to pass naturally, fails to pass, or has begun to affect the kidneys negatively, then it must be surgically removed. Some individuals will choose to have a stone removed this way in order to avoid risking a painful kidney stone-passing.
Natural Remedies to Support Kidney Function
Before going this route, bear in mind that lifestyle factors such as a sodium-rich diet can precipitate kidney stones. A healthy diet with little sodium and minimal carbohydrates can help avoid conditions that cause kidney stones.
Fortunately, there are natural foods and products and means out there by which you can potentially prevent kidney stones from forming, or treat a kidney stone after one has developed. Talk to your doctor before using any of these to treat kidney stones.
Apple cider vinegar can make it easier for someone to pass a kidney stone. It can help to actually break down stones that are present in the kidneys, and even help prevent kidney stone formation.
Citric acid is a significant ingredient present in lemons, limes, and other citrus fruits. Citric acid can help prevent the formation of calcium kidney stones by binding to calcium and helping to expel it. It can also prevent already-present stones from getting larger.
Calcium, despite the nature of kidney stones, which are made up of calcium, is important. Getting the healthy, recommended dose of calcium per day on a regular basis actually helps prevent the formation of kidney stones. Calcium binds to oxalate, a byproduct of which contributes to the formation of kidney stones, preventing the body from absorbing it.
Magnesium serves many potentially useful purposes when it comes to our health, and its use in helping to prevent the formation of kidney stones belongs on that list. It has shown an ability to limit how much oxalate, which is an organic acid found in plants able to tether minerals, is excreted during urination. Also, magnesium can block the binding of oxalate to calcium, and then possibly hinder the creation of calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate stones.
Kidney stones are avoidable and treatable. If you or someone you know experiences kidney stones, or if you suspect you could develop one at some point, then consider the above advice. While the remedies here can potentially be very helpful, they are in no way a replacement for medical attention and treatment for a kidney stone, if necessary.