Addressing kidney stones requires both prescribed medical treatment and home remedies to flush out the stones and to avoid recurrence. An effective way to deal with the health problem is by seeking medical attention, and doctors can also advise on home remedies and lifestyle adjustments that can significantly reverse the health problem. This blog has a number of tips one can incorporate to reverse the health problem.
Water Intake
The most effective natural remedy for dissolving kidney stones is water. In most cases, when the kidneys are small, doctors recommend that the patient drink a lot of water, which dilutes the waste products in urine, and then they are later flushed out. The kidney stones primarily develop due to a high concentration of minerals in urine; these particles start to form into hard particles as they stick together. Therefore, the best way to reverse this condition is by drinking an adequate amount of water, which is about 3.7 litres of water per day for an average adult.
Other liquid remedies
Apart from water, you would also have to incorporate healthy liquids throughout the day. You do not have to drink them all in a day; you can simply choose one that you can drink in the morning hours or before bedtime, and these are;
Lemon juice: The citrate present in lemon juice binds to calcium to break it into smaller particles.
Apple cider vinegar: This helps to regulate the urine's pH due to the presence of acetic acid. One should limit intake to two tablespoons in 6- 8 oz of water to protect the enamel.
Pomegranate juice: The presence of antioxidants improves the overall function of the kidneys.
Basil juice: This is ideal in alleviating urinary tract pain due to the presence of acetic acid.
Celery juice: It improves urinary output as it functions as a natural diuretic.
Immediate pain relief at home
Kidney stones tend to cause pain in the lower side of the back and lower abdomen, and it can further radiate to the groin and genitals. An individual can alleviate the pain with;
Heating: Placing a heating pad at the lower side of the back helps to relieve the spasms and the flank pain.
Over-the-counter pain relievers: An individual can take anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce the inflammation and the pain.
Gentle movement: The individual would have to take a gentle walk to encourage urinary movement for the stones to move.
Diet adjustment
The patient needs to make an adjustment to their diet to minimize the accumulation of minerals in the body.
Lower sodium: Salt accelerates the formation of stones as it forces more calcium into the urine.
Dietary calcium: It is advisable to maintain a healthy calcium intake from plants, as it binds to oxalates in the digestive tract to stop them from getting to the kidneys.
Limit oxalates: If a person is diagnosed as prone to oxalate stones, they are advised to avoid oxalate-rich foods like spinach, almonds and beets.
Reduce animal protein: It is advised to reduce animal protein to prevent a spike in uric acid levels.
Conclusion
These remedies and lifestyle adjustments are effective in dissolving the stones, minimizing the levels of minerals and oxalates in the body and improving kidney functionality. They can be easily added into one's daily diet and lifestyle. Nevertheless, kidney stones are a medical problem that requires experts; as such, before consuming any remedies or making any changes, seek medical help from Dr Charnbir Singh, an expert at RG Stone Urology and Laparoscopy, who can provide the right treatment based on the diagnosis.
FAQ's
- How many times a day should one drink lemon juice?
Lemon juice can be consumed on a daily basis in the morning or before bedtime whilst avoiding sugar.
- What kind of foods are rich in oxalates?
Foods like spinach, sweet potatoes, beetroots, legumes, nuts, seeds, sweets and drinks are rich in oxalates.
