Homeopathy for Kidney Stones

In the previous post I wrote about dietary recommendations for people with kidney stones.

This post is about the causes of kidney stones, their signs and symptoms, and the homeopathic remedies that are recommended for kidney stones.

What is commonly known as kidney stones is also called nephrolithiasis in medical terminology. It is condition of formation of stones due to mineral deposits in the kidneys or urinary tract. Stones can form anywhere in the urinary tract but are commonly found in the kidneys. 

Conditions that change the concentration of urine can lead to formation of stones when the mineral balance in the urine is altered.

Causes and risk factors:

 

• Reduced water intake - When you don't drink enough water, the concentration of minerals and salts in urine increases. These minerals and salts may clump together forming small sand-like stones. If water intake is not increased, minerals further deposit on these small stones, creating bigger and bigger stones in the process.

• Recurrent urinary infections - Chronic urinary infections with some bacteria can cause kidney stones. Bacteria like pseudomonas, streptococcus, klebshiella, and proteus produce an enzyme called urease which breaks down urea, which then combines with minerals in the urine to form stones. 

 

Other risk factors are:

• Age: Stones are most commonly seen between ages of 20 and 50.
• Gender: More common in men
• Heredity: Kidney stones may run in families
• Occupation: Jobs that involve working in hot climates or that may cause dehydration may increase the chances of stone formation.
• Medical conditions: Conditions like gout, hyperparathyroidism (increased parathyroid hormone), some conventional medical drugs, some types of kidney disease are all risk factors for kidney stones.

  
Types of stones:


1. Calcium stones: These are the most common type of stones, also called calcium oxalate stones. Oxalate is found in many foods (list of foods containing oxalate). Calcium stones can also occur as calcium phosphate stones.

2. Struvite stones: These stones are formed due to chronic urinary infections. Many times, this type of stone becomes very large and is called a 'staghorn' stone due to its shape. This type of stone can form silently with little or no symptoms.

3.  Uric acid stones: People who have gout are more at risk for this type of stone because of high levels of uric acid in the blood,as well as people on a high protein diet. Reduced water intake and increased urine concentration also factor for formation of uric acid stones.

4. Cystine stones: This type of stone is common in persons who have a hereditary kidney disease called cystinuria where the kidneys excrete too much cystine (an amino acid). Cystine stones are more commonly seen in children.


Signs and symptoms:

• Colicky pain from loin to groin (side of waist or back, moving to hip and groin)
• Severe pain that comes and goes
• Nausea and vomiting
• Blood in urine and/or pus in urine
• Painful urination
• Increased desire to urinate
• Fever in case of infection

Belladonna

Homeopathic management of kidney stones: 

Homeopathy follows the principles of individualization and every person is recommended a remedy according to the symptoms that they present with.



Some commonly used homeopathic remedies in the case of kidney stones:

Belladonna, Berberis vulgaris, Benzoic acid, Calcaria carb, Cantharis, Causticum, Chininum sulph, Dioscorea, Hydrangea, Lycopodium, Millefolium, Natrum phos, Ocimum canum, Pareira brava, Sarsaparilla, Terebinthina, Urtica urens etc.



Kidney image courtesy: Hey Paul Studios/Flickr CC

Belladonna image courtesy: wlcutler/Flickr CC

 

Special Diet for Kidney Stones

Kidney stones form because of mineral deposition in the walls of the urinary tract. They are caused by the high mineral content of the urine. Most stones are so small that they may pass out on their own; however, some stones may collect deposits and become large enough to cause pain and/or obstruction of the urinary tract. 

Calcium oxalate stones are the most common type of kidney stones and for people who have this type of stone, reducing the consumption of calcium and oxalate in the diet may help a great deal. In a low oxalate diet, the intake of oxalate should be limited to 40-50 mg per day.¹

General dietary rules for prevention of kidney stones:

• Intake of calcium and protein is restricted for persons who are prone to kidney stones. Foods like spinach, kale, ragi, and eggs are high in calcium and must be avoided.
• Limit consumption of oxalate-rich foods for oxalate stones and purine-rich foods for uric acid stones.
• Consume lots of fluids to reduce the concentration of urine and prevent formation of stones. The best fluids to consume are water, barley malt, coconut water, lime/lemon juice, and some fruit juices. Remember to reduce the salt in your beverages or avoid it completely.
• Avoid consumption of vegetables with seeds like tomatoes, brinjal/eggplant, okra/ladiesfinger, capsicum etc.²

This list of foods can help you plan your diet if you or someone in your family has kidney stones or is prone to getting them.

Avoid these calcium-rich foods:

• Ragi
• Chana dal
• Matki beans
• Rajma or kidney beans
• Spinach, kale, and other green leafy vegetables
• Coconut
• Sesame seeds
• All nuts and dry fruits like almond, figs, cashewnut, raisins
• Mustard in all forms
• All dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt etc

Avoid these high oxalate foods:

• Chocolate and cocoa in any form
• Instant coffee
• Black tea
• Soy products
• Nuts
• Whole wheat bread
• Beetroot
• Carrot
• Potato
• Sweet potato 

Include these foods in moderation: Limit the consumption of these foods to 2-3 servings per day, these foods have 2-10 mg of oxalate per serving.

• Brewed coffee
• Berries
• Grapes
• Oranges
• Apples
• Peaches
• Pears
• Prunes
• Pineapples
• Brown rice
• Oats
• Broccoli
• Brussel sprouts
• Corn
• Onions
• Tomatoes

Include these low-oxalate foods in your diet freely:

• Buttermilk
• Green tea
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Cherries
• Mangoes
• Papaya
• Barley
• White rice
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Cucumber
• Mushrooms
• Peas
• Radish
• Lemons 

 If you have had kidney stones before, you can prevent recurrence by following these basic rules for diet. 


References:

1. Low oxalate diet - University of Pittsburgh

2. Diet for kidney stones



Image courtesy thynkyr/Flickr CC