Ques.1 What are kidney stones? What are they made up of?
Ans. Kidney stones are formations of phosphate and calcium oxalate or of uric acid crystals and are of various sizes. They are located in the inner ducts of the kidney as stones, able to stay there for a long period of time. When these stones become detached and obstruct the urinary tract in the urethra, they cause intense pain.
Ques.2 What are the symptoms of kidney stones?
Ans. While the stones remain in the kidney they cause no discomfort. The problem arises when these calculi or tiny sharp stones descend through the urethra from the kidneys into the bladder. They injure the urethra and block the urine from going down to the bladder. This causes intense pain that begins to manifest itself in the back (waist) and then extends around toward the abdomen and genital area. A burning sensation if present upon urinating and in some occasions blood.
Que. 3 What are the causes of kidney stones?
Ans. Kidney stones are formed due to the excess amount or mineral salts in the water one drinks (water pollution), a bad diet as well as the excessive consumption of carbonated beverages and some other alkaline substances. Uric acid crystals are also formed due to the high intake of red meats and other foods containing the acid.
Ques.4 Which suggestions are recommended for a kidney stone patient?
Ans. These suggestions are recommended for a kidney stone patient :-
(i) Taking vitamin-C will also help restore the urine’s acidity and prevent the formation of bacteria.
(ii) Vitamin B6 helps control the production of calcium oxalate. It also detoxifies. This vitamin is found in wheat germ and whole wheat cereal.
(iii) Eskimos consume a lot of polyunsaturated oils, like fish oil Omega-3, which helps prevent the formation of kidney stones.
(iv) To relieve pain and help get rid of the kidney stones it is recommended to take baths up to the waist (10 min.) with cold and warm water alternating baths in waist deep water when the symptoms begin (cramps). This is done to reduce the abdominal swelling and relax the urinary tract.
(v) When one has kidney stones and cramps occur periodically, it means that, little by little, pieces of the stored stone in the kidney are detached. The pain is present when the stones are moving through the urinary track, not when they are stationary.
(vi) In order to dissolve the stone, cranberry is recommended.
(vii) If the pain is very intense, you may also take an analgesic like willow bark tea (aspirin). If the pain is unbearable consult your physician for a suitable painkiller.
(viii) In many occasions these stones may cause infection in the urinary tracts. Therefore , it is recommended to continue taking cranberry and lime juice, garlic, Vitamic-C, for several days to prevent infection. Thyme is anti-spasmodic. It prevents cramps and pains.
(ix) There is a modern treatment of severe cases. The stones are subjected to ultrasonic sound waves. This breaks the stones in to small fragments which later are discharged.
Ques.5 Which Homoeopathic medicines are advisable?
Ans. The common medicines are- Berberis vulgaris, sarsaparilla, cantharis and Lycopodium.
Prepared By : Dr Pooja Rai, Bhopal.