Do Home Remedies for Kidney Stones Work?

At Comprehensive Urology Medical Group, we are proud to support National Kidney Month, a National Kidney Foundation initiative that promotes kidney disease awareness, prevention, and treatment. To show our support for National Kidney Month, we recently published a blog post about recurrent kidney stones. Now, we’d like to focus on home remedies for kidney stones, how these remedies work, and when you should schedule a consultation with a urologist to treat kidney stones.

Kidney stones are small, hard deposits that consist of minerals and salts, and they can cause pain in the abdomen, back, and side, blood in the urine, and other unwanted side effects. As such, people often are willing to try just about anything to treat kidney stones, including home remedies.

Common home remedies for kidney stones include:

• Water: Water helps the body remove waste, maintain a normal temperature, and protect sensitive tissues. Also, research indicates drinking twelve 8-oz. glasses of water daily (96 Oz total) helps prevent or slow the growth of mineral and salt deposits (stones) in the kidneys. This is the single most important measure one can do daily to prevent kidney stones and maintain healthy kidneys.
• Lemon juice: Lemon and lime juice contain a high concentration of citrate, a powerful compound that breaks down calcium deposits in the body and prevents the formation and growth of most kidney stones. Meanwhile, consuming two 5-oz. glasses of lemon juice daily has been shown to help prevent kidney stones.
• Basil: Basil contains compounds that help reduce uric acid that otherwise may cause uric acid kidney stones to form, as well as acetic acid that may help dissolve some kidney stones composed of uric acid. Best of all, even a single teaspoon of basil extract or pure juice daily may help a person treat or prevent kidney stones.
• Avoiding dark green leafy vegetables and nuts: All nuts and most dark green vegetables contain a significant amount of oxalate which is a common cause of kidney stones, they should be used in moderation and not excessively. Strawberries and chocolate also have oxalate.
• Low salt: Avoiding too much salt is helpful in preventing kidney stone formation. Too much sodium intake (e.g. salt) can cause urine calcium to go up and cause stones.
• Dairy and calcium: Contrary to popular belief, and despite calcium stones being the most common type of urinary stones, it is recommended NOT to limit calcium intake as it leads to more stone formation. Patients with kidney stones just like healthy people should be ingesting the recommended daily allowance of calcium (1000-1500 mg for most people).

The aforementioned home remedies for kidney stones can be used by anyone, at any time. Yet there is no guarantee that any of these remedies will help individuals pass kidney stones or prevent kidney stones from developing.

Ultimately, an individual must decide whether to try home remedies for kidney stones. For those who want the best-possible kidney stone treatment, however, it often is beneficial to consult with a urologist.

When Should You See a Urologist for Kidney Stone Treatment?

If someone is experiencing kidney stone symptoms, he or she can schedule an appointment with a urologist for immediate treatment. Together, a patient and urologist can determine the best way to safely remove a kidney stone and alleviate pain associated with the stone.

A urologist is happy to educate an individual about kidney stones, why they happen, and how they can be treated. Additionally, a urologist performs a comprehensive patient evaluation to provide a proper kidney stone diagnosis and develop a personalized treatment plan based on the number, size, and location of the stones.

To diagnose a patient, a urologist initially conducts an in-depth physical examination. Next, a series of tests may be used to help diagnose a kidney stone, including urinalysis and radiographic evaluations such as an ultrasound, X-ray, or computerized tomography (CT) scan. With these tests, a urologist can determine the location and size of a kidney stone. He or she can also determine if a patient is affected by urinary obstruction which has to be treated.

How Are Kidney Stones Treated?

Kidney stone treatment generally varies based on the individual. Typically, a urologist recommends dietary changes to help a patient lower the rate of kidney stone formation. These changes may include increased water intake, a reduction in animal protein consumption or increase in fluid intake or citrate-rich foods like oranges or lemons, and reduction of salt ingestion. Or, in some cases, a urologist recommends medical treatment. A urologist may prescribe alpha blockers (pills such as Flomax®) to facilitate the passage of a kidney stone that is lodged in a patient’s ureter, or other medications may be used to help dissolve some kidney stones or prevent them from forming.

If dietary changes and medications fail to help patients address kidney stones, surgery may be required. A urologist usually recommends surgery for kidney stones in the following instances:

• A kidney stone is increasing in size or causing health issues, despite the fact that dietary changes and medical treatments have already been used to treat the stone.
• A trial of kidney stone passage has been attempted, but the stone has still not passed and continues to cause pain and discomfort.
• A kidney stone is obstructing the urinary tract and may cause kidney damage.
• A kidney stone occurs in the setting of a urinary tract infection (UTI).
• A kidney stone is deemed too large for a patient to pass on his or her own.

There are many surgical treatments designed to address kidney stones, and these include:

• Ureteroscopy and Laser Lithotripsy: Often used to treat kidney stones located in the urinary tract. During the procedure, a surgeon uses a ureteroscope (small fiber optic telescope device) that is passed through the urethra and bladder and placed in the ureter. The ureteroscope then enables a surgeon to visualize and extract the stone with small baskets. The surgeon can also use a laser beam to break the stone into smaller pieces that can easily flow out or removed with a basket.
• Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL): May be performed if the size of a kidney stone exceeds 2 cm or larger. PCNL requires a surgeon to make a small incision in a patient’s back and insert a tube directly into his or her kidney, then breaking the stone with a rapidly vibrating ultrasonic “wand” or laser, and removing the pieces.
• Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL): Uses shock waves to break a kidney stone into smaller pieces and makes it easier and less painful for a patient to pass the stone. To perform ESWL, a surgeon first uses X-rays or an ultrasound to locate a kidney stone and make sure it is in a suitable location, of good size, and acceptable hardness for this procedure. The surgeon then administers shock waves throughout the body; these waves do not damage the skin tissue or muscle and help dissolve the stone. ESWL is performed at an outpatient surgery center, and it requires only about one hour to complete. The ideal candidates for ESWL include patients who are dealing with a kidney stone that blocks urine flow or causes pain, ranges from 4 mm to 1 cm in size, or is located in upper pole or the renal pelvis (outflow tract of the kidney).

A urologist allocates time and resources to explain the appropriate surgical treatments and respond to patients’ surgery concerns and questions. He or she describes the recovery period following surgery and post-treatment guidelines as well. That way, a urologist helps a patient establish realistic expectations for kidney stone surgery.

Set Up an Appointment with the Kidney Stone Experts at Comprehensive Urology Today

Determining the best way to treat kidney stones can be difficult. Sometimes individuals consider home remedies for kidney stones, but these treatments may or may not work. For those who want to achieve long-term kidney stone pain relief, a consultation with an expert urologist may be ideal.

Comprehensive Urology understands the challenges associated with finding the right kidney stone treatment. To help patients address kidney stones, we employ a team of kidney stone experts who are dedicated to their craft. Dr. Arash Akhavein is a fellowship-trained endourologist who subspecializes in kidney stone treatments and minimally invasive surgery. Our urologists learn about kidney stone patients and their symptoms and do everything possible to help patients achieve their desired treatment results. To find out more about how we help patients treat kidney stones, contact us today at (310) 499-2756 to schedule a consultation with one of our courteous, knowledgeable urologists.

 

Sources:

https://www.kidney.org/news/monthly/Focus_KidneyMonth

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-stones/symptoms-causes/syc-20355755

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319418.php

https://www.healthline.com/health/kidney-health/home-remedies-for-kidney-stones

https://draxe.com/5-kidney-stone-natural-remedies-fast-relief/

https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/remedies-for-kidney-stones/

https://dailyhealthpost.com/home-remedies-for-kidney-stones/

The post Do Home Remedies for Kidney Stones Work? appeared first on Comprehensive Urology.

What Should I Do If I Have Recurrent Kidney Stones?

March marks National Kidney Month, an initiative designed to promote kidney disease awareness, prevention, and treatment. Kidney disease affects millions of individuals, and at Comprehensive Urology Medical Group, we want to educate people about kidney disease and other kidney conditions. As such, to commemorate National Kidney Month, our March blog posts will focus on various kidney problems and how to identify and address these issues.

First, let’s take a look at recurrent kidney stones. Research indicates a person who experiences a kidney stone is more likely than others to form another stone in the future. In fact, kidney stones impact approximately 12% of the population during their lifetime, and kidney stone recurrence rates approach 50% at 10 years, according to the American Urological Association.

Kidney stone prevention is important for men and women of all ages. If people prioritize kidney stone prevention, they could reduce the risk of kidney stones.

Is It Possible to Prevent Kidney Stones?

If a person experiences a kidney stone, the risk that he or she will develop another stone in the future increases. Fortunately, there are many ways to limit the risk that kidney stones will become ongoing problems, such as:

1. Stay hydrated. Strenuous exercise, hot yoga, and other physical activities cause excessive sweating. Meanwhile, the more a person sweats, the less likely it becomes that he or she will urinate, and this ultimately may increase an individual’s susceptibility to kidney stones. Thankfully, staying hydrated while participating in physical activities can help tremendously.
2. Limit alcohol consumption. Drinking alcoholic beverages not only increases water loss in form of urine and may cause some degree of dehydration, it may also cause a person’s uric acid levels in the blood to rise, increasing the likelihood of uric acid kidney stones. Limiting alcohol consumption and drinking water with cocktails enables a person to reduce the risk of developing kidney stones.
3. Eat calcium-rich foods. A low-calcium diet increases a person’s risk of kidney stones and osteoporosis. Those who consume a diet that contains the required daily amounts of calcium (milk, cheese, and other calcium-rich foods) may be better equipped than others to combat calcium oxalate kidney stones. This may sound paradoxical but studies have proven that limiting calcium intake actually increases kidney stone risk.
4. Cut down on animal protein. Beef, poultry, and pork are among the foods with the highest concentrations of animal protein – something that increases urine acidity and may lead to the formation of kidney stones. Limiting or avoiding foods high in animal protein to 6-8 ounces per day may be beneficial, particularly for individuals who want to prevent kidney stones from recurring.
5. Avoid vitamin C supplements. Research indicates high doses of vitamin C supplements may increase an individual’s risk of developing kidney stones. Conversely, vitamin C in food does not carry the same risks. Therefore, individuals should strive to get vitamin C from foods, not supplements.
6. Increase citric acid intake. Lemon and lime juice contain a high concentration of citrate, a powerful compound that breaks down calcium deposits in the body. Consuming two 5-oz. glasses of lemon juice daily has been shown to help prevent kidney stones.

The aforementioned measures have been shown to reduce an individual’s risk of recurrent kidney stones. Yet it is important to note that kidney stones can affect any person, at any time. Despite an individual’s best efforts, a person may experience recurrent kidney stones.

For those who need to address recurrent kidney stones, a consultation with a urologist is ideal. A urologist learns about each patient’s recurrent kidney stones and offers personalized treatment options. By doing so, a urologist helps kidney stone patients achieve long-term relief.

What Options Are Available to Treat Recurrent Kidney Stones?

A urologist allocates significant time and resources to learn about a patient and offer him or her a personalized surgical treatment to address recurrent kidney stones. Initially, urologists may use dietary changes and medical treatments to address recurrent kidney stones. If these treatments fail to deliver the desired results, a urologist then will explore surgical options with a patient.

Common nonsurgical treatments for recurrent kidney stones:

• Dietary Changes: A urologist may recommend dietary changes designed to help an individual reduce the rate of kidney stone formation. Recommended dietary changes vary based on the patient and his or her health, and these changes may include an increase in fluid intake, increase in intake of foods that contain citrate, reduction in salt intake, and reduction in red meat consumption.
• Medical Treatment: Alpha-blockers and other medications have been shown to help facilitate the passage of kidney stones lodged in the ureter. Also, kidney stone medications are available to help individuals dissolve existing kidney stones and prevent kidney stones from developing.

Various surgical treatments are available to help patients eliminate kidney stones. A urologist will learn about a patient’s kidney stones, medical history, and review other health factors to determine if surgical treatment is a viable option.

Common surgical treatments used to eliminate kidney stones:

• Utereroscopy and Laser Lithotripsy: Involves the insertion of a small fiber optic device (ureteroscope) through the urethra and bladder and into the ureter; a surgeon uses this device to visualize the stone(s), then extracts the stone via small baskets. The surgeon also uses a laser beam to fragment the larger kidney stones and then remove the pieces. This treatment requires no incisions, and a surgeon may leave a stent in the ureter following surgery to help a person pass any remaining kidney stone particles.
• Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL): Addresses a kidney stone that exceeds 2 cm or larger or a kidney stone that is lodged in a tough-to-reach location. PCNL involves the use of a small incision in the back to insert a tube into the kidney. Next, a surgeon uses several instruments to treat a kidney stone.
• Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL): Uses shock waves to dissolve a kidney stone into smaller pieces. ESWL is a simple, quick, and effective treatment, and it generally takes about one hour to perform. During the procedure, a patient first lies down on a water-filled cushion, and a surgeon uses X-rays or ultrasound tests to determine the location of a kidney stone. After a surgeon finds the kidney stone, he or she sends high-energy sound waves through a patient’s body. The sound waves do not harm the muscle or skin tissue; instead, they break the kidney stone into smaller pieces that can pass.

Prior to administering any of the aforementioned surgical treatments, a urologist will discuss each procedure with a patient and respond to any concerns or questions. Following surgical treatment, a urologist will provide a patient with a series of recovery guidelines. The urologist may recommend dietary changes and medications to further reduce a patient’s risk of recurrent kidney stones and provide kidney stone prevention tips as well.

Schedule a Consultation with the Kidney Stone Experts at Comprehensive Urology in Los Angeles

Recurrent kidney stones are problematic, yet many individuals fail to properly address these issues. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, kidney stones may linger for an extended period of time. Perhaps worst of all, individuals who fail to receive effective long-term kidney stone treatments may experience kidney stones time and time again.

Comprehensive Urology in Los Angeles is a leading provider of kidney stone treatments, including dietary recommendations, medications, and surgeries. Our team of expert urologists is happy to meet with kidney stone patients and help them achieve long-lasting pain relief. Dr. Arash Akhavein is a fellowship-trained endourologist who subspecializes in all kidney stone treatments and minimally invasive surgery. To find out more, please contact us today at (310) 499-2756 to schedule a kidney stone treatment consultation with one of our friendly urologists.

 

Sources:

https://www.kidneyatlas.org/dissolve-kidney-stones/

https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kidneystones

https://www.uwhealth.org/urology/how-common-are-kidney-stones/11208

https://kidneystone.com/recurrence/

The post What Should I Do If I Have Recurrent Kidney Stones? appeared first on Comprehensive Urology.