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urinary system
Kidney stones
Integrative Therapies
Home Care
Kidney stones are also known as Nephrolithiasis.
Stones may develop anywhere in the urinary system and are common causes of pain, obstruction, and infection.
Many times, kidney stones will develop without causing any symptoms; other times they can cause what is called "renal colic" with excruciating pain starting in the flank or kidney area and radiating across the abdomen towards the genitals and inner side of the thigh. Sometimes, stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and bloating may be present. Other signs may be chills, fever, and blood in the urine, particularly when the stone is making its way down the ureter. When the stones are in the bladder, they may cause pain in the area above the pubic bone.
If you suspect having a kidney stone, please consult a physician for proper diagnosis and treatment. The following aproach is used to help prevent kidney stones from reoccurring and not to deal with existing ones.
Knowing what type of stone you have is extremely important to determine the appropriate course of action. Most kidney stones are composed of calcium or, more rarely, uric acid or struvite.
The following applies to all types of stones, unless otherwise stated:
For all types of stones, it is vital that you increase your amount of liquid consumption in the form of water, diluted juices, and herbal teas. Many varieties of herbal teas can be bought in most supermarkets. Drink a minimum of 12 glasses of fluids a day.
REGARDING THE PROPER DIET FOR HEALTHY KIDNEYS:
1. Increase fiber in the form of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
2. Decrease simple carbohydrates. The mere change from white to whole wheat bread, as well as supplementing your diet with 1 to 2 tablespoons of bran daily, will have beneficial effects.
3. For uric acid stones decrease the intake of foods that contain purines, such as meat, fish, poultry, and yeast.
4. For calcium oxalate stones, reduce oxalate foods such as black tea, cocoa, spinach, beet leaves, rhubarb, parsley, cranberry, and nuts.
5. In general, increase the intake of foods that are high in magnesium such as barley, bran, corn, buckwheat, rye, soy, oats, and brown rice. Other foods high in magnesium are avocados, bananas, cashews, coconuts, peanuts, sesame seeds, lima beans, and potatoes.
6. Limit dairy products, since they contain high amounts of the forms of calcium more likely to contribute to stone formation.
THE FOLLOWING SUPPLEMENTS ARE USED IN AN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT THE FORMATION OF KIDNEY STONES AND ARE TAKEN ON A LONG-TERM BASIS:
Vitamin B6 100 milligrams 2 times a day
Vitamin K 2 milligrams a day
Magnesium Citrate 600 milligrams a day
HERBS FOR KIDNEY STONES:
1. Yellow Dock 30 drops of the tincture, which is a liquid herbal extract, 3 times a day, or 1 capsule 3 times a day.
2. Aloe Vera There are many different forms of this herb sold on the market. The best results will be achieved by taking it in a dose that will not act as a laxative 3 times a day according to the manufacturer's instructions. If bowel movements become loose, reduce the amount in each dose.
Clinic
Footnotes
BarShalom R, Soileau J. (eds.) Natural Health Hotline. Beaverton, OR: Integrative Medical Arts, 1991-1999.