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Kidney Stones:
Signs and Symptoms
You may have no symptoms if the stone is noted on an X ray for an unrelated condition. Or you may have some or all of the following.
What Causes It?
Kidney stones occur because the small bowel absorbs too much calcium, your diet is too high in calcium or another mineral, you have intestinal problems, a urinary tract infection, or an inherited disorder. You may not be drinking enough fluids (especially in the summer) or exercising enough.
Treatment Options
Usually taking pain relievers and drinking at least six to eight glasses of water a day, plus one at bedtime and another during the night, enables the stone to pass more easily. You may need to urinate through a strainer to collect the stone and give it to your health care provider for analysis.
Drug Therapies
You may need pain medication while the stone is moving through your system. After it passes, you may need other drugs so that you don't form stones again. Drugs may include
Herbs are generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the body's systems. As with any therapy, it is important to work with your health care provider on getting your problem diagnosed before you start any treatment. Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 to 4 cups per day. Tinctures may be used singly or in combination as noted.
Castor oil pack. Used externally, castor oil is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Apply oil directly to skin, cover with a clean soft cloth (for example, flannel) and plastic wrap. Place a heat source (hot water bottle or heating pad) over the pack and let sit for 30 to 60 minutes. For best results, use for three consecutive days.
Following Up
Fifty percent of patients pass the stone in 48 hours. If there are complications, your health care provider may refer you to a urologist or admit you to the hospital. After you pass the stone, keep drinking fluids and change your diet to reduce the chance of forming more stones in the future.
Special Considerations
Shock-wave therapy is not appropriate for women of childbearing age. If you think you might be pregnant, tell your health care provider. He or she will also want to rule out ectopic pregnancy or a ruptured ovarian cyst.
Signs and Symptoms
You may have no symptoms if the stone is noted on an X ray for an unrelated condition. Or you may have some or all of the following.
- Sudden onset of excruciating pain in the buttocks area
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- You are constantly moving to relieve the pain
- Pain in the genital area as the stone moves
- Fever and chills
What Causes It?
Kidney stones occur because the small bowel absorbs too much calcium, your diet is too high in calcium or another mineral, you have intestinal problems, a urinary tract infection, or an inherited disorder. You may not be drinking enough fluids (especially in the summer) or exercising enough.
Treatment Options
Usually taking pain relievers and drinking at least six to eight glasses of water a day, plus one at bedtime and another during the night, enables the stone to pass more easily. You may need to urinate through a strainer to collect the stone and give it to your health care provider for analysis.
Drug Therapies
You may need pain medication while the stone is moving through your system. After it passes, you may need other drugs so that you don't form stones again. Drugs may include
- Narcotics to control severe pain
- Allopurinol, 100 to 300 mg daily to control hyperuricemia
- Potassium citrate, 100 mEq tablets twice daily to raise urinary pH
- Hydrochlorothiazide, 25 to 50 mg daily for calcium type I stones
- Cellulose sodium phosphate 10 g daily for calcium type I stones; to decrease bowel absorption
- Orthophosphates for calcium type III stones; to inhibit vitamin B synthesis
- Reduce your intake of sugar, refined foods, animal products (meats and dairy), caffeine, alcohol, soda, and salt.
- Drink more water and eat more fiber, vegetables, whole grains, and vegetable proteins.
- Cut down on oxalate-containing foods such as spinach, rhubarb, beets, nuts, chocolate, black tea, wheat bran, strawberries, and beans.
- Include foods rich in magnesium and low in calcium, such as barley, bran, corn, rye, oats, soy, brown rice, avocado, banana, and potato.
- Magnesium citrate (200 to 400 mg per day) may increase the solubility of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate.
- Pyridoxine (B6, 10 to 100 mg per day) is essential for the metabolism of oxalic acid, a component of some stones.
- Folic acid (5 mg per day) helps break down uric acid stones.
Herbs are generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the body's systems. As with any therapy, it is important to work with your health care provider on getting your problem diagnosed before you start any treatment. Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 to 4 cups per day. Tinctures may be used singly or in combination as noted.
- For acute pain relief, combine tinctures of wild yam (Dioscorea villosa), cramp bark (Viburnum opulus), kava (Piper methysticum), and Jamaica dogwood (Piscidia piscipula). Take 15 drops every 15 minutes for up to 8 doses.
- Drink an infusion of equal parts of gravel root (Eupatorium purpureum), corn silk (Zea mays), pipissewa (Chimaphila umbellata), and kava. Use 1 tsp. of herb mixture per 1 cup water. Drink 3 to 4 cups per day.
Castor oil pack. Used externally, castor oil is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Apply oil directly to skin, cover with a clean soft cloth (for example, flannel) and plastic wrap. Place a heat source (hot water bottle or heating pad) over the pack and let sit for 30 to 60 minutes. For best results, use for three consecutive days.
Following Up
Fifty percent of patients pass the stone in 48 hours. If there are complications, your health care provider may refer you to a urologist or admit you to the hospital. After you pass the stone, keep drinking fluids and change your diet to reduce the chance of forming more stones in the future.
Special Considerations
Shock-wave therapy is not appropriate for women of childbearing age. If you think you might be pregnant, tell your health care provider. He or she will also want to rule out ectopic pregnancy or a ruptured ovarian cyst.
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