How To Get Rid Of Kidney Stones In South Africa
What is Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones (also called renal calculi, nephrolithiasis or urolithiasis) are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys.
Diet, excess body weight, some medical conditions, and certain supplements and medications are among the many causes of kidney stones. Kidney stones can affect any part of your urinary tract — from your kidneys to your bladder. Often, stones form when the urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals to crystallize and stick together.
How To Get Rid Of Kidney Stones In South Africa
How do health care professionals treat kidney stones?
Health care professionals usually treat kidney stones based on their size, location, and what type they are.
Small kidney stones may pass through your urinary tract without treatment. If you’re able to pass a kidney stone, a health care professional may ask you to catch the kidney stone in a special container. A health care professional will send the kidney stone to a lab to find out what type it is. A health care professional may advise you to drink plenty of liquids if you are able to help move a kidney stone along. The health care professional also may prescribe pain medicine.
Larger kidney stones or kidney stones that block your urinary tract or cause great pain may need urgent treatment. If you are vomiting and dehydrated, you may need to go to the hospital and get fluids through an IV.
Kidney stone removal
A urologist can remove the kidney stone or break it into small pieces with the following treatments:
Shock wave lithotripsy. The doctor can use shock wave lithotripsy NIH external link to blast the kidney stone into small pieces. The smaller pieces of the kidney stone then pass through your urinary tract. A doctor can give you anesthesia NIH external link during this outpatient procedure.
Cystoscopy and ureteroscopy. During cystoscopy, the doctor uses a cystoscope to look inside the urethra and bladder to find a stone in your urethra or bladder. During ureteroscopy, the doctor uses a ureteroscope, which is longer and thinner than a cystoscope, to see detailed images of the lining of the ureters and kidneys. The doctor inserts the cystoscope or ureteroscope through the urethra to see the rest of the urinary tract. Once the stone is found, the doctor can remove it or break it into smaller pieces. The doctor performs these procedures in the hospital with anesthesia. You can typically go home the same day.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The doctor uses a thin viewing tool, called a nephroscope, to locate and remove the kidney stone. The doctor inserts the tool directly into your kidney through a small cut made in your back. For larger kidney stones, the doctor also may use a laser to break the kidney stones into smaller pieces. The doctor performs percutaneous nephrolithotomy NIH external link in a hospital with anesthesia. You may have to stay in the hospital for several days after the procedure.
After these procedures, sometimes the urologist may leave a thin flexible tube, called a ureteral stent, in your urinary tract to help urine flow or a stone to pass. Once the kidney stone is removed, your doctor sends the kidney stone or its pieces to a lab to find out what type it is.
The health care professional also may ask you to collect your urine for 24 hours after the kidney stone has passed or been removed. The health care professional can then measure how much urine you produce in a day, along with mineral levels in your urine. You are more likely to form stones if you don’t make enough urine each day or have a problem with high mineral levels.
Below are natural ways you can reduce the risk of forming another kidney stone
1. Stay hydrated
When it comes to kidney stone prevention, drinking plenty of fluids is generally recommended.
Fluids dilute and increase the volume of the stone-forming substances in urine, which makes them less likely to crystallize
However, not all fluids exert this effect equally. For example, a high intake of water is linked to a lower risk of kidney stone formation
Beverages like coffee, tea, beer, wine, and orange juice have also been associated with a lower risk
On the other hand, consuming a lot of soda may contribute to kidney stone formation. This is true for both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened sodas
Sugar-sweetened soft drinks contain fructose, which is known to increase the excretion of calcium, oxalate, and uric acid. These are important factors for kidney stone risk
Some studies have also linked a high intake of sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened colas to an increased risk of kidney stones, due to their phosphoric acid contents
2. Increase your citric acid intake
Citric acid is an organic acid found in many fruits and vegetables, particularly citrus fruits. Lemons and limes are especially rich in this plant compound.
Citric acid may help prevent calcium oxalate kidney stones in two ways :
- Preventing stone
formation: It can bind with calcium in urine, reducing the risk of new stone
formation - Preventing stone
enlargement: It binds with existing calcium oxalate crystals, preventing them from
getting larger. It can help you pass these crystals before they turn into
larger stones
An easy way to consume more citric acid is to eat more citrus fruits, such as grapefruit, oranges, lemons, or limes.
You can also try adding some lime or lemon juice to your water.
3. Limit foods high in oxalates
Oxalate (oxalic acid) is an antinutrient found in many plant foods, including leafy greens, fruits, vegetables, and cocoa
Also, your body produces considerable amounts of it.
A high oxalate intake may increase oxalate excretion in urine, which can be problematic for people who tend to form
Oxalate can bind calcium and other minerals, forming crystals that can lead to stone formation
However, foods high in oxalate also tend to be very healthy, so a strict low-oxalate diet is no longer recommended for all stone-forming individuals.
4. Don’t take high doses of vitamin C
Studies indicate that vitamin C (ascorbic acid) supplements are associated with a higher risk of getting kidney stones (22Trusted Source, 23Trusted Source, 24Trusted Source).
A high intake of supplemental vitamin C may increase the excretion of oxalate in the urine, as some vitamin C can be converted into oxalate within the body .
One Swedish study among middle-aged and older men estimated that those who supplement with vitamin C may be twice as likely to develop kidney stones as those who don’t supplement with this vitamin
However, note that vitamin C from food sources, such as lemons, is not associated with an increased stone risk
5. Get enough calcium
It’s a common misunderstanding that you need to decrease your calcium intake to reduce your risk of forming calcium-containing stones.
However, this is not the case. In fact, a diet high in calcium has been associated with a decreased risk of forming kidney stones.
One study placed men who had previously formed calcium-containing kidney stones on a diet containing 1,200 mg of calcium per day. The diet was also low in animal protein and salt .
The men had about a 50% lower risk of developing another kidney stone within 5 years than the control group, which followed a low-calcium diet of 400 mg per day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the fastest way to dissolve a kidney stone?
What Dissolves Kidney Stones Fast? Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid which helps dissolve kidney stones. In addition to flushing out the kidneys, apple cider vinegar can also decrease any pain caused by the stones. In addition, water and lemon juice can help flush the stones and prevent future kidney stones
Can you completely dissolve a kidney stone?
Drawing knowledge from the fields of geology, microscopy, and medicine and using many advanced technologies, a new study finds that kidney stones can and do, in fact, dissolve
Which method is best to remove kidney stone?
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: Your doctor makes a small incision in your back and guides a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope to your kidney to break up and remove the stone. It is often the most effective way to remove larger stones. This procedure is done under general anesthesia and it takes about three hours.
Is there a pill to dissolve kidney stones?
Your doctor may prescribe allopurinol (Zyloprim, Aloprim) to reduce uric acid levels in your blood and urine and a medicine to keep your urine alkaline. In some cases, allopurinol and an alkalizing agent may dissolve the uric acid stone.
How can I force a kidney stone to pass at home?
The best home remedy to encourage the stone to pass is to drink lots of fluids, especially plain water and citrus juices such as orange or grapefruit. The extra fluid causes you to urinate more, which helps the stone move and keeps it from growing. You should aim for at least 2 to 3 quarts of water per day.
How long can a stone stay in the kidney?
A stone can remain in the kidney for years or decades without causing any symptoms or damage to the kidney. Typically, the stone will eventually move through the urinary tract (figure 1) and is passed out of the body in the urine. A stone may cause pain if it becomes stuck and blocks the flow of urine.
Can lemon juice dissolve kidney stones?
Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, as well as extra lemon juice if possible. Lemon juice (vitamin C and acid) could help break down kidney stones, and olive oil helps with the flushing process.
Can kidney stones shrink on their own?
Small kidney stones often pass out of the body on their own. As long as they don’t cause severe pain or complications, treatment isn’t necessary. Larger kidney stones usually need to be treated.
Can kidney stones be removed without surgery?
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is a technique for treating stones in the kidney and ureter that does not require surgery. Instead, high energy shock waves are passed through the body and used to break stones into pieces as small as grains of sand.
How do you know if a kidney stone is stuck?
If a kidney stone becomes lodged in the ureters, it may block the flow of urine and cause the kidney to swell and the ureter to spasm, which can be very painful. At that point, you may experience these symptoms: Severe, sharp pain in the side and back, below the ribs. Pain that radiates to the lower abdomen and groin.
When is a kidney stone an emergency?
You should go to the hospital or seek medical attention for these kidney stone symptoms: A sharp pain in the side, back or lower abdomen. Pain when urinating. Blood in the urine (hematuria)
Does walking help kidney stones?
Drink plenty of fluids to promote increased urinary flow which may help pass the stone. Be active. Patients are encouraged to be up and about walking which may help the stone pass.
Do kidney stones get worse at night?
Usually, people with kidney stones have more pain in the late night and early morning. This is due to the fact that people normally urinate less during the late night and early morning and at this time the ureter remains constricted.
Can you push a kidney stone out?
This last stage is going to require a little effort from you. You may not feel like doing it but it’s necessary to get the kidney stone out. When the kidney stone gets as far as the opening of your urethra, you have to PUSH HARD. Keep pushing until the stone shoots out into the bowl of your toilet.
Can you leave kidney stones untreated?
Left untreated, kidney stones can block the ureters or make them narrower. This increases the risk of infection, or urine may build up and put added strain on the kidneys. These problems are rare because most kidney stones are treated before they can cause complications.
Is hot water good for kidney stones?
In winter, drink hot water with lemon and honey. Though water is best, other liquids such as citrus drinks may also help prevent kidney stones.
What are three treatment options for kidney stones?
If you’ve been diagnosed with kidney stones (urolithiasis), you may have several options for treatment. These include medical therapy, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL), and ureteroscopy
Does it hurt to pee out a kidney stone?
Once the stone reaches the junction between your ureter and bladder, you’ll start to feel pain when you urinate. Your doctor might call this dysuria. The pain can feel sharp or burning.
Do kidney stones make you poop more?
Kidney stones can cause severe pain that could coexist with frequent bowel movements. If you are concerned about your symptoms, seek the advice of a doctor
Can a kidney stone get stuck in your pee hole?
A kidney stone may stay in your kidney. It also may travel down the urinary tract. The urinary tract includes the ureters, bladder, and the urethra. If the stone is big enough, it can get stuck in your kidney or urinary tract.
What should you not drink with kidney stones?
Tart drinks like lemonade, limeade, and fruit juices are naturally high in citrate that helps keep kidney stones at bay. But hold back on foods and drinks flavored with sugar or, especially, high-fructose corn syrup. They can lead to stones.
How can I get immediate relief from kidney stone pain?
Over-the-counter pain medications, like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or naproxen (Aleve), can help you endure the discomfort until the stones pass. Your doctor also may prescribe an alpha blocker, which relaxes the muscles in your ureter and helps pass stones quicker and with less pain.