If you've never had a kidney stone, you probably don't give the thought of them the time of day. If you have, or if someone close to you has, the discussion of kidney stones becomes more common as the attacks become more frequent. Some patients compare the pain with that of childbirth.
Approximately 10 - 15% of the general population suffers from the ailment at some stage or another. "Once you've had one stone, you are at a somewhat higher risk of getting another. Once you've had a second attack, your risk is markedly increased," says Leroy Nyberg, M.D., director of the urology program at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the National Institutes of Health.
If you've ever passed a kidney stone, you're not likely to forget the experience - it can be excruciatingly painful. Kidney stones are an ancient affliction dating back to the age of the Egyptian pyramids, yet they are still a common disorder today. The incidence of kidney stones has been increasing in recent decades. Although the reasons for this are still unclear, many experts believe that diet choices and lack of fluids are important factors that have contributed to this increase.
Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of your fist. They're located in back of your abdomen on each side of your spine, and their main function is to remove excess fluid, unneeded electrolytes and waste from your blood in the form of urine.
The crystals that lead to kidney stones are likely to form when your urine contains a high concentration of certain substances — especially calcium, oxalate, uric acid and rarely, cystine — or low levels of substances that help prevent crystal formation, such as citrate and magnesium. Crystals also may form if your urine becomes too concentrated or is too acidic or too alkaline.
SOME COLD HARD FACTS ABOUT KIDNEY STONES
1. Men tend to have kidney stones 3 times more often than women.
2. People aged 20-60 years more frequently have kidney stones, and a greater number of people who are sedentary will have them than people who are active.
3. Stone pain is sudden, severe, and sharp when it begins and later will come and go over time as the stone moves.
4. The location where pain is felt is largely a result of where your kidney stone lodges.
5. A kidney stone is a solid piece of material that forms out of substances in the urine in the kidney. The stone may remain in the kidney or break loose and travel down the urinary tract. A small stone may pass all of the way out of the body, but a larger stone can get stuck in the bladder, or the urethra. This may block the flow of urine and cause great pain. A kidney stone may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a pearl, and some are as big as golf balls-(Ouch!). They may be smooth or jagged, and are usually yellow or brown.
6. Caucasians are more prone to kidney stones than are African-Americans.
7. Although stones occur more frequently in men, the number of women who develop kidney stones has been increasing.
8. Treatment for kidney stones varies, depending on the type of stone and the cause.
THERE ARE GENERALLY FIVE TYPES OF KIDNEY STONES:
1. Calcium phosphate stones are common and easily dissolve in urine acidified by Vitamin C.
2. Calcium oxalate stones are also common but they do not dissolve in acid urine.
3. Magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite stones) are much less common, often appearing after an infection. They dissolve in vitamin C acidified urine.
4. Uric acid stones result from a problem metabolizing purines (the chemical base of adenine, xanthine, theobromine [in chocolate] and uric acid). They may form in a condition such as gout.
5. Cystine stones result from a hereditary inability to reabsorb cystine. Most children's stones are this type, and these are rare.
What are symptoms of kidney stones?
The first symptom of a kidney stone usually is extreme pain. It may begin suddenly as a stone moves in the urinary tract, causing irritation or blockage. Typically, a person feels a sharp, cramping pain in the back and side around the area of the kidney, or in the lower abdomen. The pain may spread to the groin. Sometimes nausea and vomiting occur. The good news is that you probably won't die from a kidney stone. The bad news is that you hurt so bad that you don't believe this.
If you are unable to be seen promptly by your doctor or have any of the following conditions, you should go to your nearest emergency department. Uncontrollable pain (in your back or side) that will not go away. Inability to take medications or fluids by mouth. Fever and chills. Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy or bloody, or a burning feeling when you urinate are all symptoms that require indicate immediate medical care.
The size of the stone does not dictate the size of the pain. A small jagged stone can produce more distressing symptoms than a larger smooth stone. A great deal of the pain experienced while passing a stone is not the result of the stone ripping through the urinary tract (although it certainly can feel that way). Much pain is due to muscle contractions as the ureter attempts to force the stone into the bladder. If the sufferer experiences a fever along with these other symptoms, he or she may have an infection.
FEEL THE HEAT
Another important strategy is to apply heat. Heat can help relax muscles that are tense from pain and spasm, allowing for easier passage of a stone. We have found that a cream or lotion topical pain reliever with a eucalyptus base is very effective. Once the cream or ointment soaks in, cover the area with a heating pad.
Another simple but effective option: Take a hot bath with Epsom salts. We suggest utilizing hydrotherapy -preferably alternating hot and cold. This is beneficial for many, but for some it may cause nausea. If you want to give it a try, make sure you have someone nearby in case you feel dizzy or faint. If you do feel dizzy, get out of the water and lie down.
TRY THE DIET CURE FOR RECURRING STONES
Once you survive an attack, your first thought should focus on preventing future attacks. Why submit to a drug regimen with many potential side effects when you can often get the same benefit from diet without the hazards.
If you are prone to stones, cut back on meat. Much of that animal protein turns to stone, Studies show that a high protein diet increases the chances of future stones by one-third. Vegetarians are much less likely to have kidney stone attacks. Certain foods may increase the risk of stones: spinach, chocolate, cocoa, tomato juice, grapefruit, apple juice, soda, tea and coffee should be limited or avoided.
Cut down on sodium. Restricting sodium slashes the amount of calcium in the urine. You should reduce your salt intake to 2 to 3 grams per day. This means reducing your consumption of table salt, pickled foods, and salty foods such as luncheon meat, snack chips, and processed cheese.
Drink plenty of fluids-at least 2 glasses every four hours in addition to other fluids you normally drink. Soup and tea are recommended-egg drop soup, the Chinese penicillin. Or... mom's homemade chicken soup could play a role here. In addition, tea (green is best) can help propel a stone out, as all these beverages increase urine volume. Interestingly, sparkling water provides special benefits, as the carbonation -- a combination of carbonic and phosphoric acids-decreases the tendency for spasm and allows for increased pain tolerance by buffering the acidic changes that accompany inflammation. Please note-in the U.S., the South has the highest incidence of kidney stones, a region where sweet tea is the drink of choice.
Of course, not all fluids are created equal, and it's best to steer clear of sugar-packed products such as sodas and sports drinks. Sugar contributes to inflammation, which contributes to kidney stones. When in doubt, look closely at the list of ingredients. You'll be surprised to learn how much sugar lurks in even so-called health drinks.
New research shows that lemonade is an effective -- and delicious -- way for kidney-stone-prone people to slow the development of new stones. "When treating patients in our kidney stone center, we put everyone on lemonade therapy," says Steven Y. Nakada, chair and professor of urology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
David Kang, a medical student and researcher at the Duke University Comprehensive Kidney Stone Center, found that this role can play for a long time. Kang and colleagues followed 12 kidney-stone patients who had been on lemonade therapy for up to four years. Over the time they drank lemonade they had a lower burden of kidney stones and appeared to form kidney stones at a slower rate than they did before starting lemonade therapy. To make lemonade, it is recommended that you mix 1 cup of concentrated lemon juice with 7 cups of water. A sugar substitute may be added to taste or Stevia, a natural herbal sweetener can be used. Sugar should be avoided.
Certain popular antacids are enormously high in calcium. If you've had a calcium stone, and if you are taking an antacid, check the ingredients on the side of the box to make sure it's not calcium-based. If it is, choose another brand.
People who are inactive tend to accumulate a lot of calcium in the bloodstream. Activity helps to pull calcium back into the bones, where it belongs. In other words, if you're prone to calcium stones, don't sit around all day and wait for them to form. Keep moving. Get out, take a walk, fly a kite, or ride a bike. Find something that you can do on a regular basis, and don't allow any excuses or anyone to discourage your routine. Don't forget that people who get kidney stones are more prone to getting them again, and again and again. That's kind of like surviving death, and then having to survive it all over again!
Submitted by Wendy Evensen, owner of Sadie’s Herbal Garden.
www.sadiesherbalgarden.com
