KIDNEY STONES

FEW AILMENTS ARE as painful as kidney stones. The pain is caused by the passing of the stone as it blocks the flow of urine and causes stretching of the ureters and the kidney pelvis. The kidney pelvis is like a funnel that directs urine into the ureters, the tubes that lead to the bladder. Typically, the pain of a kidney stone starts at the flank, and then moves to the front and down toward the groin. It may take weeks or even months for a stone to pass, with the pain coming in intense periodic waves. Many stones pass by themselves. When there are complications or the pain is too intense, a nonsurgical procedure, like ultrasound, which shatters the stones, can be used.

The most serious complication of kidney stones is infection caused by the blocked flow of urine. Chills, nausea, and a high fever are all signs of infection, an emergency that requires immediate medical attention. Even when no infection is present, your doctor may prescribe medication to help manage the pain, and may order a urinalysis and x-rays to support the diagnosis.

Kidney stones are very common in the United States, and one out of every four people is expected to suffer from them in his or her lifetime. Once you have kidney stones, the odds are you’ll form them again and again every two or three years-a bleak prospect of repeated pain and possible infection. There are drugs available to improve the odds, but they are not without side effects, and most people don’t relish the thought of being on daily medication for the rest of their lives. Fortunately, the most effective way to discourage kidney stones is a simple modification of your diet.

Kidney stones develop when calcium oxalate, or uric acid, in the urine are present in such high concentrations that they form Crystals. You can prevent kidney stones by dietary modifications and increasing fluid intake. The goal is to dilute concentrations so that crystals no longer form.

To begin, increase your fluid intake. Eight glasses of water a day is recommended, but keep in mind that is only an average. Your weight may require a greater liquid intake, as can heat or exertion that makes you sweat. An interesting study showed that Israeli soldiers in the desert, who were prone to kidney stones, decreased crystal formation in direct proportion to their increase of fluids. You should drink enough liquids to produce two to three quarts of urine each day.

Eat a low-protein diet, while increasing the amount of vegetables and fiber. Limit your protein to 3 ounces at both lunch and dinner. Protein increases the levels of uric acid and calcium in the urine, both of which can form stones. The incidence of kidney stones is highest in countries where people eat diets high in animal protein. Vegetarians rarely have kidney stones. Don’t eat large meals late at night, as they tend to promote crystal-forming concentrations. Also, avoid sugar and salt, caffeine and alcohol, all of which increase the amount of calcium in the urine.

As high levels of vitamin C can be involved in the creation of stones, I suggest that you limit your daily vitamin C intake to under 2,000 mg.

Magnesium has been found to be very important in the prevention of stone formation. Eat foods rich in magnesium, such as barley, bran, corn, buckwheat, rye, oats, brown rice, potatoes, and bananas.

Additional diet modifications and supplements depend on your specific kidney stone, as determined by chemical analysis. Here are the common conditions and the modifications you should make connected with them:

HYPERCALCIURIA occurs when there is too much calcium in the urine but a normal amount in the blood. You may be ingesting too much calcium, either through supplements (for example, Tums or other antacids), or through stomach acid medications, or even your drinking water. But calcium is very important, so you can’t restrict it entirely. Reduce your calcium intake to the minimum required amount, which is about 600 to 1,000 mg. daily.

Remember that mineral waters can contain calcium. The bubbles in naturally carbonated water come from dissolved limestone high in calcium. It’s best to avoid mineral or naturally carbonated waters entirely if you’re prone to kidney stones.

As sodium can contribute to excess calcium excretion, it’s best to follow a low-salt diet.

Avoid coffee, which increases the amount of calcium in the urine.

Add rice bran to your diet. Rice bran contains phytin, which binds to calcium in the intestine and reduces urinary calcium in the process. A study in Japan showed that patients given 10 g. of rice bran twice a day after meals had a decided decline in the formation of kidney stones.

HYPEROXALURJA occurs when there is too much oxalate in the urine. Avoid foods high in oxalate, which include tea, chocolate, spinach, beans, instant coffee, peanuts, parsley, and rhubarb. Take a supplement of vitamin B6, 50 mg. daily.

HYPERURICOSURIA occurs when there is too much uric acid in the urine. This condition is associated with too much protein in the diet. In addition to limiting your protein, take a supplement of potassium of 100 mg. daily. Also avoid foods high in uric acid.

NATURAL PRESCRIPTION FOR KIDNEY STONES

• Drink a minimum of eight glasses of liquid a day,
• Don’t eat large meals late at night.
• Keep vitamin C supplementation below 2,000 mg. daily.
• Avoid naturally carbonated and mineral waters; their calcium content can be high.
• Eat foods that are rich in magnesium such as barley, bran, corn, buckwheat, rye, oats, brown rice, potatoes, and bananas,
• Reduce animal protein in the diet to 3 ounces at lunch and 3 ounces at dinner.
• Reduce foods rich in calcium such as milk and cheese.
• Cut back on salt, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol.
• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
• Determine the type of stone formation you suffer from (hypercalciuria, hyperoxaluria, or hyperurlcosuria) by means of a chemical analysis and see text for more details concerning natural remedies for your particular problem.

IN ADDITION TO YOUR DAILY SUPPLEMENTS, TAKE:

• Magnesium: 400 mg. daily,
• Vitamin B6: 50 mg. daily.
• Potassium: 100 mg. daily.