The renal stones (stones in the kidney or renal Lithiasis), are hard deposits, with rock form, that are developed in some point of the urinary system. The first step in the way of answering the question – how to cure kidney stones, is learning to recognize the basic symptoms of this painful condition.

These stones can block the expulsion of urine and may cause damage, inflammation and infection. The presence of renal stones it also known as nephrolithiasis.

The stones form from mineral and organic substances, their size is generally measured between the size of a grain of sand and the size of a ping-pong ball. They are developed when the salts and minerals contained in the urine form crystal groups. How to cure kidney stones if they’re developed into the kidneys? These are normally expelled with urine but, when they adhere to the weave that covers –internally- the kidney or they are deposited in an area where the urine cannot drag them, they can grow until they form a stone.

Some Considerations

In about 90 percent of the cases the causes that bring about their appearance are not known. In some people, its formation is almost always the result of a combination of factors.
The stones are developed typically in maturity, and they are three times more common in men what they are in women. Besides that, kidney stones are even more frequent in people who live in a warm climate.

The renal stones are not dangerous, although if they’re not treated properly they may cause serious infections and permanent damages.

Which are the causes?

Among the factors that promote their formation can be mentioned:

  • Excessive loss of liquid through sweat
  • Little water ingestion
  • High proteins diet or other substances that favor their appearance.
  • Certain metabolic upheavals, just as diseases that trigger an excess of calcium in the blood (for example a type of called cancer mieloma multiple or a hormonal upheaval as the hyperparatiroidism) could be the factors that cause the formation of stones.
  • The excessive sodium bicarbonate ingestion
  • Excess of calcium supplements.
  • Some medicines.
  • Diseases that reduce the urinary flow.

Signs and Symptoms

The main symptoms observed in the nephrolithiasis are:

  • Strong pain, that begins in the flank, back or abdomen and extends soon towards ingle.
  • Pain that usually begins suddenly and lasts from minutes to hours, followed periods of rest.
  • Nausea and vomit.
  • Blood in the urine or persistent infections in the urinary system.
  • Expulsion of a stone or “sand” with the urine.

Calling to the Doctor

As the pain caused by the renal stones is usually intense, the majority of the affected patients try out medical attention immediately. The symptoms that require medical assistance are:

  • Turbid urine or with a smelly scent
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Weakness

In front of this picture, the doctor will do a careful examination that includes:

  • Blood Analysis
  • Urine Analysis
  • X-rays of the pelvic organs

The proper diet

A diet low in salt and animal protein, combined with normal calcium consumption, protects the people better against hypercalciuria and kidney stones made of calcium oxalate. These are the conclusions of a study that was published by the The New England Journal of Medicine.

Before establishing a correct dietetic program it is necessary to determine the nature of the stones. The stones made out of oxalate and those composed by phosphates require a poor oxalic acid and calcium diet, whereas those made up of uric acid can be avoided effectively eating foods with low content in purines.

Milk and derivatives are not very advisable in cases of oxalate or phosphate stones. It is recommended the ingestion of at least 2 liters of water a day to guarantee the emission of a great amount of urine. The alkaline waters (= bicarbonate) are indicated in the uric lithiasis and the oligo-minerals in the phosphate lithiasis, this last recommendation applies also to the oxalic stones.

In the lithiasis, the alcoholic drinks must be avoided (even the “digestive”or “aperitive” liquors). The consumption of lemon in the phosphatic and oxalic lithiasis must be reduced to the minimum.

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