Naturopathic Solutions For Kidney Stones
It’s been said that kidney stones are one of the most painful medical conditions you can have.
Smaller kidney stones may pass without notice, however they can sometimes grow to the size of a golf ball, and these lead to severe pain.
In addition, left untreated they can lead to infections, urinary issues, and kidney damage.
I’m Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, a naturopathic doctor in Ottawa, and today we’ll take a look at the different types of kidney stones and some natural solutions for dealing with them.
Keep reading to learn more.
What Is A Kidney Stone?
Kidney stones occur due to a buildup of minerals in your kidneys.
This accumulation, combined with factors related to diet and lifestyle, medical history and fluid intake can lead to the formation of these small, painful stones.
They can develop at any point in the urinary tract, including:
- Kidneys
- Ureters
- Bladder
- Urethra
What Are The Different Types Of Kidney Stones?
Different types of kidney stones have varying causes and are made from different substances.
Let’s have a closer look at the different types of kidney stones.
1. Calcium Stones
These are the most common type of kidney stones.
Generally comprised of calcium oxalate, but sometimes containing calcium phosphate or maleate as well.
Foods high in oxalate can increase the chances of developing this type of kidney stones.
Some foods to be aware of include:
- Spinach
- Beets
- Potato chips
- Chocolate
Even though calcium can be a cause of kidney stones, ensuring enough calcium in your diet can also help prevent their formation.
2. Struvite Stones
Struvite stones form as a result of a urinary tract infection or kidney infection, generally in women.
They can be very large, and lead to obstruction of the urinary tract.
Addressing underlying infections is one way to prevent these types of stones from forming.
3. Uric Acid Stones
Uric acid stones develop due to excess acidity in urine.
Diets high in purine, which is found in meat, fish, and alcohol can contribute to an increased acidity level in urine.
Gout, a condition which occurs when there is too much uric acid in the blood, and undergoing chemotherapy treatment are both linked to this type of kidney stone.
Additionally, they are more common in men than women.
4. Cystine Stones
These are a rare type of kidney stone which occur in individuals who have the genetic disorder cystinuria.
They develop when cystine, a naturally occurring acid, escapes from the kidneys into the urine.
What Are The Symptoms Of Kidney Stones?
The most known symptom of kidney stones is severe pain, typically on one side of the abdomen or back.
Other symptoms to watch for include:
- Frequent need to urinate
- Only urinating small amounts
- Blood in the urine (Watch for a pink, red, or brown colour)
- Fever
- Chills
- Foul smelling urine
- Vomiting
- Nausea
Very small kidney stones may pass without any pain or other symptoms.
Naturopathic Solutions For Kidney Stones
If you are at risk of kidney stones, there are some things you can do to help them move through your system a little easier.
Let’s have a look at some ways to make things a little easier.
1. Drink Lots Of Water
Keeping hydrated is one of the best ways to help kidney stones pass faster.
You’ve likely heard the recommendation to drink up to eight cups of water per day.
If you’re trying to pass a kidney stone, you’ll want to up your water intake to twelve glasses – at least.
One of the biggest risk factors for developing kidney stones is dehydration, so keeping hydrated will not only help them pass faster, but also help to prevent new ones from forming.
2. Drink Lemon Juice
Not only does lemon water taste good, lemons contain a chemical called citrate.
Citrate can help to break up small kidney stones, and it also helps prevent formation of new stones.
In addition, lemons contain vitamin C and help to slow the growth of bacteria.
When it comes to drinking lemon juice, dilute it with water to make it more palatable.
3. Drink Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is purported to have a variety of health benefits – from having antibacterial properties to helping to manage blood sugar levels and assisting with weight loss.
And it can help with kidney stones, due to its acetic acid content.
Acetic acid can dissolve kidney stones and may help reduce formation of new stones.
This solution for kidney stones should be used in moderation, and not more than once per day unless your naturopathic doctor has directed otherwise.
Individuals with diabetes, or who are on certain medications including insulin, diuretics, and digoxin shouldn’t use apple cider vinegar.
4. Drink Celery Juice
Celery juice is full of nutrients and has many health benefits.
It’s extremely hydrating and can act to flush out the body, to help pass kidney stones faster.
Individuals with low blood pressure, bleeding disorders, or who are scheduled for surgery should avoid celery juice.
In addition, people taking the following medications should steer clear from this remedy:
- Alprazolam (Xanax), a sedative
- Levothyroxine (Synthroid), used to treat thyroid conditions
- Medications which can increase sensitivity to sunlight
5. Drink Pomegranate Juice
Full of antioxidants, pomegranate juice has been used for hundreds of years to improve kidney function.
It aids in flushing the system, and also lowers the acidity levels of urine, which in turn lowers the chances of more kidney stones forming in the future.
People who are taking blood pressure medications, medications processed by the liver, and the cholesterol-lowering medication rosuvastatin (Crestor) should avoid taking pomegranate juice.
Book Your Appointment With Dawdy Naturopathic
Have you dealt with kidney stones and want to try to avoid having to go through that again?
Or maybe you want to ensure you’re doing everything you can to avoid this painful condition.
Maybe you’ve been told by a doctor or other medical professional you are at higher risk of developing kidney stones and want to proactively work to reduce the chance of one developing.
I’m Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, a naturopathic doctor serving the Ottawa area, and I can help.
Contact me today for more information or to set up a consultation.
Yours in Health,
Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND
Dawdy Naturopathic Clinic
6899 Sunset Blvd,
Greely, ON K4P 1C5
-https://g.page/dawdynaturopathicclinic
Dawdy Naturopathic Clinic offers a variety of naturopathic health solutions for individuals and families in Ottawa and the surrounding area.
