Kidney stones are the hard crystals of salt and minerals inside the urinary tract. It is common, nearly 5% to 10% population are affected by the pain associated to kidney stones. According to Harvard health publishing, the risk of developing kidney stones is higher between the age of 20 and 50.There is 4 types of Kidney Stones. Eighty percent of the stones are calcium stones and mostly calcium oxalate and some people may get calcium phosphate stones. The other types of stones are uric acid stones, struvite stones and cysteine stones.
Symptoms of Urinary Stones:
A kidney stone goes unnoticed in the initial stage until it blocks the renal pelvis or pass through the ureter.
Following are the symptoms associated with Kidney Stones:
1. Pain in the back
2. Pain or burning during urination
3. Urinary urgency
4. Blood in the urine
5. Cloudy or smelly urine
6. Nausea and vomiting
7. Fever and chills
Cause of Kidney Stones:
Kidney Stones are usually formed after the formation of certain chemicals in the body. This formation may be of the following:
1. Calcium
2. Ammonia
3. Uric Acid
4. Cysteine
Certain Medical conditions can also leads to the high level of these substances in the urine. If you are taking less fluid than you are more vulnerable to Kidney Stones.
Recurrent kidney stones
You are more prone to urinary stones if you
• eat a high-protein, low-fibre diet
• are inactive or bed-bound
• have had UTI
• have had a kidney stone before
• have only one fully working kidney
• have had Crohn's disease
Medication, which may lead to kidney stones
There’s evidence to suggest that certain medication may increase the risk of having Kidney Stones. These medicines are:
· aspirin
· antacids
· diuretics (used to reduce fluid build-up)
· certain antibiotics
· certain antiretroviral medication (used to treat HIV)
· certain anti-epileptic medication
Treatment of Kidney Stones
Depending on the size and location of stone a doctor can recommend the methods of treatment in allopath, homeopath and Ayurveda.
Allopathic method of treatment
Shock wave lithotripsy: In this method of treatment doctor uses shock wave to break the kidney stones into small pieces. These broken pieces of stone pass through your urinary tract. This is performed in hospital with anesthesia.
Cystoscopy and ureteroscopy: During cystoscopy and ureteroscopy, a cystoscope or ureteroscope equipped with lens is inserted into urethra and bladder to locate a stone .Once the stone is located, they are either removed or broken into small pieces. This is performed in hospital with anesthesia.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy. In nephrolithotomy doctor insert nephroscope through the small cut in your back to locate and remove kidney stone. This is performed in hospital with anesthesia.
Once these processes are done, the doctor may leave a thin tube call ureteral stent in your urinary tract to help urine to pass and doctor may send the removed kidney stones in the lab to find out the type of stones.
Sometimes your health professional may ask to collect your urine for 24 hours after the kidney stone is removed. They measure the volume of urine passed in a day and the mineral levels in the urine. If both the results are not satisfactory then you are more likely to develop stones again.
Homeopathic method of treatment:
Homeopathic medicines can be used to treat the kidney stones. This method is recommended for the smaller stones.
Ayurvedic method of Treatment:
There is increasing popularity of ayurvedic method of treatment of kidney stones, as people prefer natural alternate method to avoid side effects. Some of the ayurvedic herbs having role in the treatment of kidney stones are:
1. Bergenia ligulata (Paashaanbhed) : Bergenia ligulata is the herb found in Himalayan region. It is also known as silabheda, Pashana, Zakhmehayat, Asmaribheda, Ashmabhid, Ashmabhed, Nagabhid, Upalbhedak, Parwatbhed. As the name suggest it breaks the kidney stones.
2. Crataeva nurvala (Varuna) : It causes hypercalciuria and hyperphosphoruria and its anti-lithogenic activity and anti-crystallization property prevents stone formation and reduces recurrence of urolithiasis.
3. Ficus racemosa ( Udumbara ) : It acts as antidiuretic and anti-inflammatory. It also possesses potent analgesic activity and assists in easing the pain and inflammation by relaxing the muscles.
4. Achyranthes aspera (Apamarga): It decreases the stone size and also maintains normal renal function.
5. Henna (lawsonia Alba): It prevents the infections caused by renal calculi.
6. Shilajit: It prevents the super saturation of urine thus prevent the recurrence of stones.
What is the Key of KeeStone?
KeePharma’s KeeStone is the synergistic blend of 11 herbal extracts. It has Crataeva nurvala, ficus racemose, Boerhaavia diffusa, Tribulus terretris, lawsonia alba, Didymocarpus pedicellata, Achyranthes aspera, Raphanus sativus, Hemidesmus indicus, Shilajit. It dissolves and flushes out kidney stones. It also inhibits oxidative trauma and normalize the renal function. It cures the tendency to form future stones. It has no side effects and is safe in pregnancy.
What if kidney stones are Left untreated?
If stones are left untreated, they can block the ureters or make them narrower. This can cause infection and can cause permanent damage to the kidneys.