- Kidney stones can vary in size, shape, and color, and can range from the size of a grain of sand to a golf ball.
- Kidney stones form when your urine contains more crystal-forming substances such as calcium, oxalate and uric acid. At the same time, your urine may lack substances that prevent crystals from sticking together, creating an ideal environment for kidney stones to form.
- Kidney stone signs and symptoms can include severe pain in the back, side, underneath the rib cage or groin, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills and blood in your urine. Sometimes kidney pain starts as a dull ache, but it can quickly escalate to severe cramping or sharp wincing pain.
- Kidney stones smaller than 4 mm take an average of 31 days to pass on their own. Stones that are 4-6 mm are more likely to require some sort of treatment can take up to 45 days to pass on their own.
Types of Kidney Stones
- Calcium Oxalate Stones – the most common type. This occurs when the urine contains low levels of citrate and high levels of calcium and either oxalate or uric acid. Calcium oxalate stones are linked with foods high in oxalate. These include beets, black tea, chocolate, nuts, potatoes, and spinach. If you continually develop calcium oxalate stones.
Calcium Phosphate Stones – are caused by abnormalities in the way the urinary system functions.
Struvite Stones – are more common in women, it forms as a result of certain types of urinary tract infections. These stones tend to grow quickly and become large, sometimes occupying the entire kidney. If left untreated, they can cause frequent and sometimes severe urinary tract infections and loss of kidney function.
Uric Acid Stones – are more common in men; they tend to occur in people who don’t drink enough water or have a diet high in animal protein. They are also more likely to occur in people who have gout, a family history of this type of kidney stone, or in those who’ve had chemotherapy.
- Cystine Stones – are caused by a hereditary genetic disorder called cystinuria that can lead to excessive amounts of the amino acid cystine collecting in the urine. This can result in the formation of stones in the kidneys, bladder, and ureters, which transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder
Remedies for passing small kidney stones.
- Click here to make an appointment with Dr. Shant.
- Drink water all day long, 1-2 cup of water an hour. it will help speed up the process. (In general, you should try to drink between 1/2 oz to 1 oz of water for each lb you weigh, every day. For example, if you weigh 150 lb, that would be 75 to 150 oz of water a day)
- Avoid all fruits, vegetables and foods that are high in potassium. Potassium is an important mineral for healthy nerve, cell and muscle function. Too much of it can damage the liver. For those who have liver problems potassium should be avoided.
- Drink 2 tbs. of apple cider vinegar to 6 to 8 oz of purified water, best to drink in the morning. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid. Acetic acid helps to dissolve kidney stones. (people with diabetes should avoid drinking apple cider vinegar)
- Exercise can promote stone passing, a light jog or other cardio workout.
- Apply eucalyptus oil from Doterra as a hot compress over kidneys.
- Drink 4 oz distilled water with juice from 1/2 lemon every 30 minutes for 6 hours; then take 2 tbs. extra-light virgin olive oil with the juice from 1 full lemon. Repeat daily till stone passes. Lemons contain citrate, which is a chemical that prevents calcium stones from forming.
- Drinking fresh or dried basil leave tea several cups per day can help pass stones. (those with low blood sugar, low blood pressure or increased bleeding problems should avoid drinking basil tea) Basil contains acetic acid, which helps break down the kidney stones and reduce pain.
- Drink 1 stock of celery juice one cup a day, or just eat half a stock of celery every day with carrots to help maintain a healthy kidney. (Those who have low blood pressure and increased bleeding disorder should avoid this)
- Pomegranate juice has been used for centuries to improve overall kidney function. It will flush stones and other toxins from your system. It’s packed with antioxidants, which help keep the kidneys healthy and may have a role in preventing kidney stones from developing.
- It also lowers your urine’s acidity level. Lower acidity levels reduce your risk for future kidney stones.
- Drink Pomegranate juice 1-2 cups a day (there is no limit – make sure there is no sugar added, no additives and organic is a plus).
- Soak 1 cup of dried kidney beans over night. Then boil the beans for 10 minutes and reduce heat to slow cook for 45 minutes or till beans are fully cooked. Strain the water and drink the broth throughout the day or at once depending on how many cups you get after the cooking process. Use the cooked beans for a dinner dish.
To help develop a prevention plan, try to save the stone(s) you pee out by using a urine screen (from your doctors office), so your doctor can determine what kind of stone you have.
Can children get kidney stones?
Kidney stones are found in children as young as 5 years. All related to not drinking enough water and eating foods high in salt. Kids should not be eating salty potato chips, salty french fries, deli meats, canned soups, packaged meals, sodas, sweetened beverages or anything containing high fructose corn syrup, soy, additives, ingredients you as an adult can’t pronounce). All these raise the chances of children developing kidney stones and other severe health problems.