kidney stone

A kidney stone is a solid piece of material that forms in a kidney when substances that are normally found in the urine become highly concentrated. A stone may stay in the kidney or travel down the urinary tract. A small stone may pass on its own, causing little or no pain. A larger stone may get stuck along the urinary tract and can block the flow of urine, causing severe pain or bleeding. Men are affected more often than women, and kidney stones. Overweight and obese people are more likely to get a kidney stone than people of normal weight. 

causes :
Kidney stones can form when substances in the urine—such as calcium, oxalate, and phosphorus—become highly concentrated. Certain foods may promote stone formation in people who are susceptible, but scientists do not believe that eating any specific food causes stones to form in people who are not susceptible. People who do not drink enough fluids may also be at higher risk, as their urine is more concentrated.
People who are at increased risk of kidney stones are those with
• hypercalciuria, a condition that runs in families in which urine contains unusually large amounts of calcium; this is the most common condition found in those who form calcium stones
• a family history of kidney stones
• cystic kidney diseases, which are disorders that cause fluid-filled sacs to form on the kidneys
• hyperparathyroidism, a condition in which the parathyroid glands, which are four pea-sized glands located in the neck, release too much hormone, causing extra calcium in the blood
• renal tubular acidosis, a disease that occurs when the kidneys fail to excrete acids into the urine, which causes a person’s blood to remain too acidic
• cystinuria, a condition in which urine contains high levels of the amino acid cystine
• hyperoxaluria, a condition in which urine contains unusually large amounts of oxalate
• hyperuricosuria, a disorder of uric acid metabolism
• gout, a disorder that causes painful swelling of the joints
• blockage of the urinary tract
• chronic inflammation of the bowel
• a history of gastrointestinal (GI) tract surgery

Types of kidney stones
Four major types of kidney stones can form:
• Calcium stones are the most common type of kidney stone and occur in two major forms: calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate. Calcium oxalate stones are more common. Calcium oxalate stone formation may be caused by high calcium and high oxalate excretion. Calcium phosphate stones are caused by the combination of high urine calcium and alkaline urine, meaning the urine has a high pH.
• Uric acid stones form when the urine is persistently acidic. A diet rich in purines—substances found in animal protein such as meats, fish, and shellfish—may increase uric acid in urine. If uric acid becomes concentrated in the urine, it can settle and form a stone by itself or along with calcium.
• Struvite stones result from kidney infections. Eliminating infected stones from the urinary tract and staying infection-free can prevent more struvite stones.
• Cystine stones result from a genetic disorder that causes cystine to leak through the kidneys and into the urine, forming crystals that tend to accumulate into stones.
• Xanthine Stones. Other kidney stones are composed of xanthine, a nitrogen compound. These stones are extremely uncommon and usually occur as a result of a rare genetic disorder.

Causes of Calcium Stones: 
Excess Calcium in the Urine (Hypercalciuria).
Hypercalciuria (too much calcium in the urine) is responsible for as much as 70% of calcium-containing stones. A number of conditions may produce hypercalciuria. Many are due to genetic factors, but most cases are due to unknown causes (idiopathic).
The following can lead to hypercalciuria and calcium stones:
• Too much calcium absorption in the intestines: In most of these conditions, genetic factors lead to increased calcium absorption in the intestine.
• Excessive chloride: Chloride has a negative charge, and calcium has a positive one, so they balance each other in the body. Excess chloride may lead to excess calcium.
• Renal calcium leak: In this condition, the does not regulate minerals normally, causing an increase of calcium in the urine.
• Excessive sodium: High urinary levels of sodium result in increased levels of calcium. Certain defects in the kidney tubules transport system, which cause imbalances in sodium and phosphate, can lead to high calcium levels in the urine. A diet high in salt can also produce this effect.

Excess Oxalate in the Urine (Hyperoxaluria)
Oxalate is the most common stone-forming compound. Too much oxalate in the urine is responsible for up to 60% of calcium stones and is a more common cause of stones than too much calcium in the urine.
Hyperoxaluria can be either primary or secondary.
• Primary hyperoxaluria is an inherited disorder in which too much oxalate in the urine is the main problem.
• Secondary hyperoxaluria results from specific conditions that cause high levels of urinary oxalate.
Secondary hyperoxaluria is usually caused by too much dietary oxalates (found in a number of common vegetables, fruits, and grains) or by problems in the body’s breakdown of oxalates. Such defects may be due to various factors:
• Severe vitamin B6 deficiencies (usually due to genetic disorders)
• Deficiencies in Oxalobacter formigenes, an intestinal bacteria that breaks down oxalate
• Short bowel syndrome, a condition that generally results from removal of portions of the small intestines. It causes an inability to properly absorb fat and nutrients. Calcium may bind to the unabsorbed fat instead of the oxalates, which causes a buildup of oxalate
• Androgens (male hormones)
Female hormones (estrogens) actually lower the risk of hyperoxaluria. Estrogen may help prevent the formation of calcium oxalate stones by keeping urine alkaline, and raising protective citrate levels.
Excessive Calcium in the Bloodstream (Hypercalcemia).

Hypercalcemia generally occurs when bones break down and release too much calcium into the bloodstream. This is a process called resorption. It can occur from a number of different diseases and events:
• Hyperparathyroidism: Overactive parathyroid glands cause about 5% of calcium stones. People with this disorder have at least a 20% chance of developing kidney stones. Women are more likely to have this disorder than men.
• Immobilization: Lack of movement can lead to kidney stones.
• Renal tubular acidosis: This disorder causes an acidic and alkaline imbalance. Renal tubular acidosis not only increases calcium levels in the bloodstream, but it also reduces protective citrate levels.
Hyperuricosuria is a condition in which there are high levels of uric acid in urine. It occurs in 15 – 20% of people (mostly men) with calcium oxalate stones. Urate, the salt formed from uric acid, creates the center of a crystal (nidus), around which calcium oxalate crystals form and grow. Such stones tend to be severe and recurrent. They appear to be strongly related to a high intake of protein. (Hyperuricosuria also plays a major role in some uric acid stones.)
Low Urine Levels of Citrate (Hypocitraturia). Citrate is the main substance in the body that is responsible for removing excess calcium. It also blocks the process that turns calcium crystals into stones. Low levels of citrate in the urine is a significant risk factor for calcium stones. Hypocitraturia also increases the risk for uric acid stones. This condition most likely contributes to about a third of all kidney stones.
Many conditions can reduce citrate levels. Some causes include:
• Renal tubular acidosis
• Potassium or magnesium deficiency
• Urinary tract infection
• Kidney failure
• Chronic diarrhea

Causes of Uric Acid Stones :
Human body tissues, and certain foods, substances called purines. Purine-containing foods include dried beans, peas, and liver. When the body breaks down purines, it produces uric acid. The presence of a certain level of uric acid in the body is normal, but excess uric acid can lead to stones.
The following conditions are usually seen in patients with uric acid stones:
• Too much uric acid in the urine for a long period (the most important cause of uric acid stones)
• Lower than normal amounts of urine produced
• Hyperuricosuria, a metabolic disorder that leads to high levels of uric acid in the urine
A number of conditions and other factors may contribute to, or cause, uric acid stones:
• Gout: Uric acid and other kidney stones develop in up to 25% of patients with primary gout, a painful form of arthritis that occurs when uric acid in the blood forms crystals in one or more joints.
• Diabetes: People with type 2 diabetes have highly acidic urine that can lead to kidney stones, particularly uric acid stones.
• Insulin resistance: People with insulin resistance have an increased risk for uric acid stones. The reason is unknown but may be related to the transport of certain salts through the kidneys. This transport changes in patients with insulin resistance.
• Kidney abnormalities: Kidney problems that reduce the production of ammonia, particularly in people with diabetes or insulin resistance, may lead to uric acid stones.
• Genetic factors: Inherited factors can increase a person’s risk for uric acid stones.
• Hypocitraturia: Hypocitraturia is a low amount of citrate in the urine.
• Diet: Eating too much animal protein increases the risk of forming uric acid stones.
Other risk factors include:
• Certain medications (chemotherapy drugs, diuretics, and salicylates)
• Binge drinking
• Not eating for long periods of time (fasting)
• Lead poisoning
• Treatment of blood cancers (leukemia, multiple myeloma, and lymphomas)
• Some rare types of anemia (low levels of red blood cells in the blood)
• Chronic diarrhea

Symptoms :
• Serious soreness from the aspect along with returning, beneath the particular ribs
• Pain may be felt in the belly area or side of the back
• Pain may move to groin area (groin pain) or testicles (testicle pain)
• Ache of which propagates for the cheaper tummy along with groin
• Ache of which also comes in waves along with changes throughout depth
• Ache upon urination
• White, reddish colored or even brown leafy urine
• Dark or even foul-smelling urine
• Nausea along with nausea or vomiting
• Prolonged encourage to help urinate
• Urinating more reguarily compared to typical
• Nausea along with chills in the event an infection is present

Prevention:
People can help prevent kidney stones by making changes in their fluid intake. Depending on the type of kidney stone a person has, changes in the amounts of sodium, animal protein, calcium, and oxalate consumed can also help.
Drinking enough fluids each day is the best way to help prevent most types of kidney stones.Though water is best, other fluids may also help prevent kidney stones, such as citrus drinks.
Recommendations based on the specific type of kidney stone include the following:
Calcium Oxalate Stones
• reducing sodium
• reducing animal protein, such as meat, eggs, and fish
• getting enough calcium from food or taking calcium supplements with food
• avoiding foods high in oxalate, such as spinach, rhubarb, nuts, and wheat bran
Calcium Phosphate Stones
• reducing sodium
• reducing animal protein
• getting enough calcium from food or taking calcium supplements with food
Uric Acid Stones
• limiting animal protein

Natural Remedies :
“Lifestyle changes can dramatically reduce the risk of stones,” .

The following home remedies were developed to help dissolve kidney stones and restore normal function to the urinary system.

Drink linseed tea to break up your kidney stones. Add 2 tablespoons of linseed to 2 cups of boiling water. Allow the seeds to steep for 15 minutes and then pour the brew through a coffee filter to remove the seeds. Add ¼ cup of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of honey and stir until well blended. Enjoy this tea three to five times a day until pain has decreased and kidney function returns to normal.

Lemon juice, raw apple cider vinegar plus olive oil
This is one of the natural home remedies that is not only easily available in your home, but quite efficient when it comes to curing kidney stones naturally. Symptoms such as abdominal pain can be managed by blending olive oil with lemon juice extract. After drinking the mixture, ensure that you have drunk at least 12 ounces of water. Wait for at least 30 minutes before blending 0.5 ounces of lemon juice in 12 ounces of water. Add one tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar before drinking. Repeat this cycle every one hour until the pain has subsided.

Kidney Beans
One of the foods that doctors and other nutritionist recommend for healthy kidneys are kidney beans. Unknown to a majority of people is that kidney stones have been utilized for ages as a medicinal decoction. Remove the beans from the pods and then boil the beans I purified water for at least 6 hours. Take a cheese garment and strain the liquid. Give the liquid a couple of hours to cool down before taking it. To ease the pain, it is highly suggested that you drink the liquid throughout the day.

When life hands you kidney stones, drink lemonade. Most citrus juices contain compounds that accelerate the formation of stones. Lemon juice contains unusually high concentrates of citrate, which stops the formation of calcium stones. It also increases the volume of urination. Limeade is equally effective.

Uva Ursi
This is also another effective natural home remedy for kidney stones. On top of enabling to combat infections that are triggered with the onset of kidney stones, Uva Ursi also functions in assisting in pain reduction and cleansing of the urinary tract. For effective results, it is highly recommended that you take 500 milligram at least twice in a day.

Drink more water.
Make it a goal to drink at least three liters of water per day. Water will help move the stones through the system, washing away any residual toxins in the process. Drinking more water can help to keep uric acid diluted, which helps prevent the absorption and subsequent collection of the chemical compounds which form kidney stones.

Increase your consumption of natural diuretics such as watermelon, cantaloupe, celery and grapes. By eating these foods you encourage the removal of excess fluids from the body and work to restore the health and function of the kidneys.

Eat more asparagus. Canned, fresh or frozen, this vegetable contains the compound asparagine which breaks up kidney stones. In addition to making the stones smaller and easier to pass, asparagus increases the level of cellular activity within the kidney, increasing the flow of urine and helping to wash the stones from the system.

Take 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, add it to 1 cup of water and drink before each meal. The chemical composition of this old-time remedy works to soften and dissolve kidney stones.

Dandelion Root
Organic dandelion root is a great kidney tonic and cleanser. Taking up to 500 mg twice a day may be beneficial.

Pomegranate Juice
The seeds and juice of pomegranates can be considered another natural remedy for kidney stones. This may be related to their sourness and astringent properties

Basil
A kidney tonifier, basil tea can be taken throughout the day for overall kidney health. If you have kidney stones, try taking one teaspoon each of basil juice with raw honey daily for up to six months. It’s believed that folk remedies with pure basil juice can help induce stone expulsion from the urinary tract.

Dietary change
Consuming unhealthy foods can lead to the formation of kidney stones. Hence, you need to curtail on the quantity of energy drinks as well as sodas that you consume. Moreover, you need to steer clear of processed foods plus alcoholic drinks. Furthermore, avoid foods that have high levels of oxalate such as rhubarb, beets, spinach, Swiss chard, soybean, wheat germ, okra, peanuts, and sweets (sugary foods and chocolates).

Drink milk. Most kidney stones contain calcium, so it would make logical sense that consuming less calcium would lower the risk of stones. Actually, the exact opposite happens. At least in men, a low-calcium diet nearly doubles the risk of stones. Taking calcium supplements, in women, lowers the risk of stones.

Don't avoid veggies. Most kidney stones contain oxalic acid, so it would seem logical to avoid fruits and vegetables that contain oxalic acid. One vegetable contains such an enormous amount of oxalic acid that kidney stone sufferers really do need to avoid it, and that vegetable is the seldom-eaten lamb's quarters. But almonds, beet greens, bran, chocolate, rhubarb, spinach, Swiss chard, strawberries, and tea, which contain less oxalic acid, have no effect on the risk of kidney stones, and in fact, they may even help prevent stones. The vitamin K in spinach and Swiss chard helps the bones absorb calcium, and keeps that calcium out of the urine.

Avoid eating too much meat. Only about one-third of people who get kidney stones suffer negative effects of a high-protein diet. For the kidney stone sufferers, however, a meat-free diet can be very helpful. The only way to find out if you are in that one-third is to give a vegetarian diet a try for three to four months.

Drink mineral water. Mineral water reduces concentrations of calcium and uric acid, making the urine less alkaline and less likely to form stones. And, finally, to mangle a well-known aphorism.

Natural home remedy using kidney beans:

1. Take 60 gm kidney beans
2. Add 4 L of water
3. Heat for 4-5 hr
4. Strain the liquid through a fine muslin cloth
5. Allow the liquid to cool
6. Drink 1 glass of this liquid once every 2 hr in a day
7. Do this for a week
8. Do not use the liquid or the beans again 24 hr after the 1st preparation

Natural home remedy using horse gram and pomegranate seeds:
1. Take 1 cup of horse gram
2. Add ½ L water
3. Heat the mixture till water level reduces to 1/5th
4. Strain and collect the soup
5. Add 2 tsp of crushed pomegranate
6. Mix well
7. Drink once a day

Natural home remedy using basil leaves and honey:

1. Take 10-15 basil leaves
2. Crush them to make paste
3. Take 1 tsp of basil leaf paste
4. Press on a sieve and extract its juice
5. Add 1 tsp honey
6. Mix well
7. Drink this every day