Remedies for Kidney Stones

The material published is intended to allow quick access to general advice, suggestions and remedies that doctors and textbooks usually dispense for the treatment of Kidney Stones; such indications must in no way substitute the opinion of the attending physician or other health specialists in the sector who are treating the patient.

(variably composed of uric acid, oxalates, cholesterol, cystine, calcium or phosphates) that originate along the urinary tract, in the kidney.

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Although the presence of stones is often linked to an inadequate diet (see diet and kidney stones), genetic predisposition also plays a leading role in their origin. Furthermore, a correlation has been observed between kidney stones and various factors, such as: acidity of the urine, low fluid intake, dehydration, advanced age, chronic urinary tract infections, hyperthyroidism and male sex.

The presence of large stones in the kidneys or their displacement from the site of origin are often the cause of violent renal colic, responsible for severe and acute pain.

Other symptoms include: chills, dysuria (difficulty urinating), fever, hematuria (blood in the urine) and vomiting.

To learn more: What are Kidney Stones? (water care);

o Increase the quantity of water during a large meal, at night, in case of vomiting or diarrhea and excessive sweating;

o Cook food with a little salt. If necessary, replace the salt with spices;

o When necessary, replace traditional salt with low-sodium salt (low in sodium);

o Prefer low-mineral or minimally mineralized waters to limit the intake of sodium and salts;

o Alkalizing the urine relieves colic associated with kidney stones dependent on aggregates of uric acid and cystine;

o Immersing yourself in a tub of very hot (almost boiling) water is an effective remedy for relieving the spastic contraction of smooth muscle that characterizes colic. Let us briefly remember that heat exerts a vasodilatory effect; in doing so, spastic pain is mitigated;

o Reduce sodium intake with diet;

o Practice regular physical exercise;

o Limit the absorption of oxalates. For example, combine a food that is rich in oxalates (spinach) with aged cheese or other foods rich in calcium.

For further information: Symptoms of Kidney Stones or very concentrated;

o Drinking carbonated or overly sweet drinks in place of low-mineral water;

o Binge eating;

o Sedentary lifestyle;

o Diet rich in salt and animal proteins;

o Supplement the diet with excessive calcium and / or vitamin D supplementation;

o Drinking alcohol;

o Diet rich in salt;

o Mega-doses of vitamin C. An "excessive intake of vitamin C can in fact increase the concentration of oxalates in the urine, thus favoring kidney stones;

o Abusing supplements that contain vitamin D;

o Hot baths for kidney stones associated with blood in the urine. In such situations, the heat promotes bleeding.

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o Follow a low protein (low protein) diet;

o Legumes: excellent protein alternative to meat - better if well soaked and peeled;

o Consume lots of fruit and vegetables, as they are rich in antioxidants (vitamin C and E). Take fruit rich in vitamin C. Ascorbic acid, taken in the right quantity, is a useful food remedy to prevent the formation of kidney stones;

o Urinary alkalizing foods: potassium citrate and magnesium citrate (effective remedies for the prevention of recurrence of kidney stones);

o Whole foods and fiber;

o Onion, celery, artichoke, nettle and parsley;

In general, the diet to prevent kidney stones and colic must be adapted to the type of stones to which the patient is subject.

The adoption of some dietary remedies may therefore prove appropriate in some cases and contraindicated in others.

To clarify your ideas, we recommend reading the article: diet and kidney stones.

Consult your doctor.

, such as dips, stir-fries and high-fat foods;

Coffee, tea, fruit juices and other beverages rich in oxalates or oxalic acid (avoiding these products is a useful food remedy to prevent the formation of calcium oxalate stones);

Savoury foods;

Meat (limit consumption) and foods rich in the amino acid methionine;

Sweets (limit consumption);

Foods rich in oxalates or oxalic acid: kiwifruit, rhubarb, beets, spinach, sweet potatoes, nuts, tea, chocolate, and soy

Foods rich in purines (seafood, anchovies, sardines, liver, kidney, game). This is particularly useful in case of hyperuricosuria (increased uric acid in the urine) associated with stones;

Nuts and strawberries.

(Betula alba L.) → diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties;

Spiny restharrow (Ononis spinosa) → diuretic and spasmolytic properties on the smooth muscles of the urinary tract;

Gold rod (Solidago virgaurea) → diuretic, astringent and anti-inflammatory properties of the urinary tract;

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) → diuretic, anti-inflammatory properties (to be taken possibly with medical advice);

Gramigna (Triticum repens) → valid natural remedy against inflammation of the urinary tract (eg cystitis) and stones.

), indicated to mask the pain resulting from kidney stones:

• Ibuprofen (eg Pedea);
• Paracetamol or acetaminophen (eg Tachipirina, Buscopan compositum), pharmacological remedy particularly indicated in case of fever associated with colic / kidney stones;
• Diclofenac (eg Fastum Painkiller, Dicloreum);

Antispasmodic drugs: excellent remedy to calm the muscle spasms generated by kidney stones and to relax the genitourinary muscles:

• Colic antispasmin;
• Atropine sulfate (eg. Atropine Lux)
• Scopolamine butylbromide (eg Buscopan, Addofix, Erion);

Anti-emetic drugs: indicated to relieve vomiting and nausea associated with kidney stones

• Thiazide diuretics: pharmacological remedy for the treatment of calcium stones;
  • Hydrochlorothiazide (eg Moduretic, Esidrex);
• Ascorbic acid: ascorbic acid (eg Redoxon, Cebion, Cimille, Univit, C Tard, Agruvit, Univit, Duo C). Don't overuse: An excess of vitamin C can promote renal colic

For further information: Drugs for the Treatment of Kidney Stones to minimize the risk of urinary tract infection (risk factor for kidney stones);

Exercise constantly and follow a "healthy and balanced diet;"

Alkalizing the urine is a remedy to prevent the formation of kidney stones formed mainly by uric acid and / or cystine;

Drinking plenty of water (even three liters a day) is a good remedy for preventing kidney stones. This important advice should be followed especially by people predisposed to the formation of kidney stones;

Taking diuretic herbal teas is an effective remedy to prevent kidney stones.

nor are drinking water therapy able to reverse the disease, kidney stones must be cured with drastic treatments:

• Shock wave extracorporeal lithotripsy: allows the stone to be shattered through a shock wave beam;
• Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: The stone responsible for renal colic is shattered. The fragments are extracted by means of an instrument inserted through a micro-hole made in the patient's side;
• Urethrorenoscopy: a small probe inserted through the urethral route shatters the stone with ultrasound or laser;
• Open surgery (nephrolithotomy): extreme surgical remedy to be considered for the treatment of kidney stones if previous treatments have not produced improvements.

For further information: Kidney stones: Care and Treatment