Kidney Stones
treatment
Herbs vitamins for kidney stones
Every year, about 1 out of 1,000 adults in the United States is hospitalized
because of stones in the urinary tract. Stones may form because the urine becomes too
saturated with salts that can form stones or because the urine lacks the normal inhibitors
of stone formation. About 80 percent of the stones are composed of calcium; the remainder,
of various substances, including uric acid, cystine, and struvite. Struvite stones--a
mixture of magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate--are also called infection stones, because
they form only in infected urine. Stones vary in size from too small to be seen with the
eye alone to 1 inch or more in diameter.
Treatment of kidney stones
Small stones that aren't causing symptoms, obstruction, or an infection usually
don't need to be treated. Drinking plenty of fluids increases urine production and helps
wash out some stones; once a stone is passed, no other immediate treatment is needed. The
pain of renal colic may be relieved with narcotic analgesics.
Often, a stone in the renal pelvis or uppermost part of the ureter that's half inch or less in diameter can be broken up by ultrasound waves (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy). The pieces of stone are then passed in the urine. Sometimes, a stone is removed through a small incision in the skin (percutaneous nephrolithotomy), followed by ultrasound treatment. Small stones in the lower part of the ureter may be removed by an endoscope (a small, flexible tube) inserted into the urethra and through the bladder.
Uric acid stones are sometimes dissolved gradually by making the urine more alkaline (for example, with potassium citrate), but other types of stones can't be removed this way. Rarely, larger stones that are causing an obstruction may need to be removed surgically. Higher urine uric acid excretion does not increase the risk for calcium oxalate stone formation.
Herb for kidney stone
treatment
Compounds from Vitex polygama active against kidney diseases.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 September. Gallo MB, Vieira PC, Fernandes JB, da
Silva MF, Salimena-Pires FR. Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de
São Carlos, CP 676, 13565-905 São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
Vitex polygama Cham. (Lamiaceae, formerly Verbenaceae) is a familiar Brazilian
species popularly known as Tarumã whose leaf tea has been used by population to
treat kidney diseases. The aim of this research was to investigate the
hydroalcoholic extract of Vitex polygama leaves in order to isolate the active
compounds which were O-glycosidicflavones orientin and isoorientin as well as C-glycosylflavones
schaftoside and carlinoside along with their isomers. These are known as potent
anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antioxidant agents. The folk use of
Taruma plant has been used to prevent kidney stone and inflammation.
Kidney Stone Prevention
Overweight individuals are more likely to have more acidic
urine, as measured by a lower urinary pH, along with an increased risk of uric
acid kidney stones. Weight loss could be helpful.
Drink plenty of water every day.
Measures to prevent the formation of new stones vary, depending on
the composition of the existing stones. These stones are analyzed, and urine levels of
substances that can form stones are measured.
Cause of calcium oxalate
kidney stone
Calcium is the most common component
of renal stones in individuals in industrialized nations. Calcium stones are
caused by a variety of environmental and metabolic abnormalities that change the
urinary environment and increase supersaturation of stone-forming salts.
Following a
diet low in animal protein (also reduce milk, yogurt, and cheese)
and low salt helps reduce the recurrence of calcium oxalate stones. Most people with
calcium stones have a condition called hypercalciuria, in which excess calcium is excreted
in the urine. Thiazide diuretics such as trichlormethiazide reduce new stone formation in
such people. Drinking large amounts of fluids is recommended. A high
level of oxalate in the urine, which contributes to calcium stone formation, may result
from excess consumption of foods high in oxalate, such as rhubarb, spinach, cocoa and
chocolate, walnuts, and tea, or from certain intestinal disorders. Rarely, calcium stones result from another disorder, such as
hyperparathyroidism, sarcoidosis, vitamin D toxicity, renal tubular acidosis, or cancer.
In such cases, the underlying disorder is treated.
Uric acid kidney stone diet
For kidney stones that contain uric acid, a diet low in meat, fish, and poultry is
recommended, because these foods increase the level of uric acid in the urine. Allopurinol
may be given to reduce the production of uric acid. Potassium citrate may be given to make
the urine alkaline, because uric acid stones form when urine acidity increases. Drinking
large amounts of fluids also helps.
Kidney stone symptom and
sign
Common signs and symptoms of kidney stone formation include:
Persistent pain on one side of the back, around the waist area or slightly above
that may travel to the groin. The pain may subside temporarily but return in
full force. Discomfort that is not alleviated by any change in position. Nausea
and vomiting. Bloody urine. Frequent sensation of needing to urinate, or pain or
burning while urinating. Fever and chills, which could signal an infection that
needs a doctor's treatment.
Herbal Index tongkat ali home page herbs vitamins for kidney stones