KIDNEY STONES
MENTION THE WORDS 'KIDNEY STONES' to anyone who knows anything
about them, particularly from first-hand experience, and you're likely to
get shudders and winces. This is a condition that litreally can make grown
men - and women - cry. These painful little pebbles afflict about twice as
many men as women, and can be so serious that it is necessary for you to
go to hospital.
The majority of kidney stones are composed of calcium; a smaller number consist
of uric acid or a substance called struvite. Stones form in the kidneys when
an imbalance occurs between the amounts of water, calcium oxylate, uric acid
and phosphate that are normally present in the urine. Kidney stones can also
form when the pH (the acidity or alkalinity) of the urine is abnormal or
when the kidney's normal protective mechanisms are overwhelmed.
Other factors
that may contribute to the formation of kidney stones include the following:
* Dehydration
* Sluggish or obstructed urine flow
* Systemic diseases such as gout, Cushing's disease and hyperparathyroidism
* Hereditary metabolism problems
* Undergoing chemotherapy for cancer or receiving methoxyflurane anaesthesia
* Using specific drugs, such as thyroid medications, vitamin D supplements
or aluminium salts (primarily antacids)
Whatever their cause, when kidney
stones form, they are hard and crystallised. Thus, whenever such a stone
is moving through the narrow urinary passageway, it causes excruciating pain
in the side, usually below the ribs. The pain sometimes radiates into the
lower abdomen or even the leg.
The pain from kidney stones is among the most severe caused by any disease.
No one with this condition can be in doubt that something is terribly wrong.
Sometimes the pain is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, inability to eat,
and fever and chills.
In some cases a stone can completely block the flow of urine from the kidney. This can lead to infection and even to permanent kidney damage if not corrected. Usually blood is present in the urine during passage of a stone, even though it might not be enough to see with the naked eye.
Kidney stones always require prompt medical evaluation to determine whether there is any obstruction or secondary infection, and to assess the cause of stone formation. Your doctor may recommend pain medication, surgery or a procedure that uses sound waves to pulverise the stone.
Holistic and herbal approaches to kidney stones are appropriate to alleviate mild pain when there's no obstruction or infection involved, and to help people prone to developing kidney stones avoid recurrences. Anyone having at least two episodes of stone formation should consider preventive treatment.
During an acute episode of kidney stone pain, strong painkillers are usually necessary. But if pain is mild and manageable, try using strong antispasmodic herbs to relax the ureter (the tube that connects each kidney to the bladder). Demulcent herbs form a protective coating on the urinary passages to minimise damage from the moving stone. Occasionally, such herbs are enough to case pain and even allow the stone to pass out of the body.
Some herbs that may help fight recurring kidney stones contain compounds called anthraquinones, which bind with calcium in the urinary tract and prevent it from crystallising into a stone. These herbs can have a laxative effect. If they give you loose stools or diarrhoea, reduce your dose.
DRUG TREATMENT
There are no specific drugs to treat or prevent kidney stones, except in
some very rare metabolic conditions. Depending on the type of stone you
have, your doctor is likely to recommend various dietary restrictions and
an increase in your fluid intake.
HERBAL REMEDIES
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
This antispasmodic and strongly sedative herb may help the ureter relax enough
to allow a small stone to pass. Typical dosage: 1 cup of tea every hour until
the pain subsides (steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried herb in 1/4 litre of hot
water for 10 to 15 minutes); or 1 teaspoon of tincture every hour until
the pain subsides. This is a fairly high dose of valerian, so take it only
for a day or so; discontinue if no results are seen by that time. Caution:
do not use if you're pregnant.
Skullcap (Scutellaria
lateriflora)
Commonly used as a sedative, skullcap is also antispasmodic. Typical dosage:
I cup of tea four times per day, or every hour until the pain eases (steep
1 to 2 teaspoons of dried herb in 1/4 litre of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes);
or 1/4 to 1 teaspoon of tincture four times per day or every hour until pain
eases. If you see no results, try gradually increasing the dose.
Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa)
This herb has long been used as an antispasmodic, but it's not a sedative.
So if you need to stay awake, it may be a good alternative to valerian or
skullcap. Typical dosage: up to two 400-milligram capsules per day; or
1/4 to 1 teaspoon of tincture up to five times per day.
Khella (Ammi visnaga)
If some clinical studies and centuries of traditional use are any indication,
this Middle Eastern herb may be helpful for kidney stones. It helps relax
the muscles of the ureter and urinary tubules. Unfortunately, it is hard
to find. Typical dosage: 250 to 300 milligrams of extract standardised
to 12 per cent khellin per day, in divided doses.
Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis)
This long-venerated demulcent may help soothe irritated urinary tissues.
Typical dosage: up to six 400- to 500-milligram capsules per day; or 1 cup
of tea divided into three portions per day (steep 1 to
2 teaspoons of dried root in 1/4 litre of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes);
or 20 to 40 drops of tincture up to five times per day. Caution: marshmallow
root may reduce the action of other drugs taken at the same time. If you're
taking any other medications, consult your doctor.
Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra)
The useful bark of this tree contains high amounts of mucilage, the soothing,
slippery substance that eases irritation and helps body tissues heal. Typical
dosage: up to twelve 370-milligram capsules per day; or 2 to 3 cups of tea
per day (steep 1/2 teaspoon of powdered bark in1/4 litre of hot water for
10 to 15 minutes); or 10 to 30 drops of tincture up to five times per day.
Caution: slippery elm may reduce the actions of other drugs taken at the
same time. If you're taking any other medications, consult your doctor
befoer taking slippery elm.
Sweetcorn Silk (Zea mays)
Yes, it's those same strings you work so hard to get out of an ear of sweetcorn.
Not only does a tea made from the fresh silk soothe and relax the urinary tubes,
but it is also believed to have a beneficial effect on the kidneys themselves,
reducing stone formation. Typical dosage: 4 to 6 cups of tea per day (steep
1 to 2 teaspoons of chopped dried herb, or a small handful of fresh herb, in
1/4 litre of hot water for 5 minutes); or 1/4 to 1 teaspoon of tincture four
or five times per day.
Aloe (Aloe vera)
This familiar burn remedy also contains anthraquinones, the compounds that
help prevent kidney stones. Typical dosage: 1 teaspoon after meals, or
follow practitioner's or manufacturer's directions. If you experience a
laxative effect, reduce your dose.
Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus)
This traditional blood purifier also contains anthraquinones. While it's
highly thought of in many herbal traditions, there hasn't been much research
done on it. Typical dosage: up to four 500-milligram capsules per day; or
20 to 40 drops of tincture up to two times per day. Caution: if you experience
diarrhoea, decrease the dose. Avoid yellow dock if you are pregnant.
KIDNEY-FRIENDLY FOODS
The typical Western European diet, with its high amounts of fat and sugar, appears to be a significant reason for the upswing in kidney stones. Stones are much less common in non-industrialised countries, where meals are higher in fibre and lower in animal protein. As a group, vegetarians have fewer kidney stones, but so do meat eaters who also eat lots of vegetables, fruit and fibre. Obese people and those with diabetes are at increased risk of stone formation.
So, what's for dinner? Lots of leafy green vegetables. They're rich in vitamin K, which your body needs to build a urinary substance that normally prevents the formation of stones.
Magnesium and vitamin B6 also reduce stone formation;
include foods rich in these nutrients or take a daily supplement, 50 to 100
milligrams of each per day. In general, people with kidney stones shouldn't
take calcium supplements. However, if you need the extra calcium, take the
citrate form, which is less likely to contribute to stones.
At meals, set a tall, cool glass of water by your plate - and a jug or bottle
from which to refill it. Dehydration can set the stage for stone formation
in susceptible people. You should drink 1 1/2 to 2 litres of water every
day, especially after working up a sweat.
Two final tips: first, avoid antacids, because they can increase your risk
of stone formation. Second, if you smoke, quit: cigarette smoking may contribute
to kidney stones because it increases urine levels of cadmium, a heavy metal.
Foods
Rich in Magnesium
Dark-green vegetables • Soya products
Nuts 4 Whole grains
Seeds • Avocados
Legumes (peas, peanuts • Dried apricots some beans)
Foods Rich in Vitamin B6
Brewer's yeast • Legumes
Egg yolks 4 Sweet potatoes
a Fish • Cauliflower
Whole grains • Avocados
