Kidney stones…the science behind them

Man is nothing but a bio machine, a machine with life. The inputs in a machine could be in form of electricity, mechanical energy or the like and man derives this energy from the food he eats. We all know that the inputs are never equal to the output in formation of energy. Hence there are losses from the bio matter when energy is liberated and wastes are formed in the human body.

These wastes are to be removed from the body and this role is done by the kidneys. These eliminate the waste metabolites from the blood and excrete them in form of urine. These metabolites are in form of salts which are unused by the body. Calcium, phosphorous, sodium , potassium are some of the elements which are present in form of salts. These salts are present in the urine in the form of water soluble crystals and hormones are present in the blood to keep them in soluble form.

However, imagine what would happen if these hormones fail to function properly. Imagine a situation where the crystals fail to remain in the solution form in the urine and appear as insoluble crystals. These would then get stuck in the urinary system and impair the natural flow of urine too. This could be harmful to the body by obstructing the urine flow and may even cause sharp pain in the abdomen. The complications may further increase if the stone is big enough to cause injury to the kidney or the ureter and cause bleeding too.

High risk group

A person with a family history of kidney stones may be more likely to develop stones. Urinary tract infections, kidney disorders such as cystic kidney diseases, and certain metabolic disorders such as hyperthyroidism are also linked to stone formation.

Causes of stones

Cystinuria : In cystinuria, too much of the amino acid cysteine, which does not dissolve in urine, is voided, leading to the formation of stones made of cysteine.

Hyperoxaluria: In patients with hyperoxaluria, the body produces too much oxalate, a salt. When the urine contains more oxalate than can be dissolved, the crystals settle out and form stones.

Hypercalciuria: This is inherited, and it may be the cause of stones in more than half of patients. Calcium is absorbed from food in excess and is lost into the urine. This high level of calcium in the urine causes crystals of calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate to form in the kidneys or elsewhere in the urinary tract.

Hyperuricosuria, which is a disorder of uric acid metabolism; gout; excess intake of vitamin D; urinary tract infections; and blockage of the urinary tract. Certain diuretics, commonly called water pills, and calcium-based antacids may increase the risk of forming kidney stones by increasing the amount of calcium in the urine.

Calcium oxalate stones may also form in people who have chronic inflammation of the bowel or who have had an intestinal bypass operation, or ostomy surgery. As mentioned earlier, struvite stones can form in people who have had a urinary tract infection. People who take the protease inhibitor indinavir, a medicine used to treat HIV infection, may also be at increased risk of developing kidney stones

Symptoms:

• Smelly urine. The patient may even see blood in the urine (hematuria). It is caused when the lining in the ureter or tissue is damaged inside the kidney.
• Sharp, cramping pain in the back and on the sides in the area of kidney or in the lower abdomen.
• Frequent urination or burning sensation during urination.
• Fever and chills
• Nausea and vomiting
• Acute renal colic. The pain typically begins in the kidney area or under it and radiates through the ribs and hipbone until it reaches the bladder

Home Remedies for kidney stones

Stones lesser than 4mm in size usually pass out spontaneously, without any complications. Follow these guidelines if the stones are relatively small and can pass out while urinating.

• Dried French beans is an effective ingredient to get rid of all kidney problems including Kidney stones. Remove the beans from the pods, and slice the pods in small sizes and boil it in 4 liter of hot water in low flame for six hours continuously. Strain the liquid twice through fine muslin and cool it for eight hours. A glass of this fluid should be given to the patient every two hours throughout the day. The patient may consume it several times a week. Make sure you don’t prepare the concoction in plenty, as it will not work if it is more than 24 hours old.
• Take one teaspoon each of basil juice and honey daily for six months.
• Intake of vitamin B6 or pyridoxine is the best treatment for kidney stones. A daily therapeutic dose of 100 to 150 mg of Vitamin B6 combined with other B complex vitamins helps in getting a permanent cure.
• Take a tablespoon of pomegranate seed and grind it into a fine paste and give it to the patient with a cup of horse gram soup. A cup of horse gram soup should be prepared by using two tablespoon of it.
• Drink a lot of water that you will be able to pass 2 quarts of urine a day.
• Nettle helps to keep crystals from forming into stone. It even helps to wash away the bacteria. Drink 2-3 cups of nettle leaf per day to prevent kidney stones. Mix 1-2 tablespoon of dried nettle leaf with 1cup of hot water and steep for 10-15 minutes.

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