Kidney stones, also known as nephrolithiasis, are a very common condition that can cause severe pain and significant health problems. In this article, we will explore the main symptoms of kidney stones, available treatments and remedies, and how to modify your diet for prevention.
What is a kidney stone and why does it form?
A kidney stone is a solid mass that forms in the kidneys from substances in the urine, such as calcium, oxalate , or uric acid. These minerals can crystallize when urine becomes too concentrated, resulting in the formation of small stones that can vary in size. The most common stones are made of calcium oxalate, and their formation is often linked to genetics, diet, and insufficient hydration. Once formed, stones can remain in the kidneys or travel along the urinary tract, causing pain and blockages.
What is gravel?
Gravel is a less serious form of kidney stone characterized by the presence of small, sand-like crystals in the urine. These crystals are often made of substances such as calcium, oxalates, or uric acid, just like kidney stones, but are much smaller. Gravel can cause symptoms similar to kidney stones, such as pain or discomfort when urinating, although the pain is usually less severe.
Gravel forms by the same mechanism as stones, that is, when urine becomes too concentrated and some mineral substances begin to crystallize. Although gravel is often expelled without the need for medical intervention, it is important to monitor it because it could evolve into larger stones.
Factors that contribute to the formation of gravel are similar to those of kidney stones: poor hydration, a diet high in sodium or animal protein, and certain metabolic conditions.
Symptoms of kidney stones
The most common and painful symptom of kidney stones is renal colic , a severe pain that begins in the lower back or side and can spread to the abdomen and groin. This pain occurs when the stone blocks the flow of urine. Other symptoms include pain when urinating, frequent urination, blood in the urine (hematuria), nausea, and vomiting. In some cases, fever may also occur if a urinary tract infection develops due to the stone.
How to prevent kidney stones
Preventing kidney stones is based on a few key principles. First of all, it is essential to maintain adequate hydration, drinking at least two liters of water a day . This helps to keep urine diluted and prevent crystal formation. A balanced diet low in sodium and animal protein can reduce the risk of developing stones, especially for those who are predisposed. Calcium intake through food , rather than supplements, is recommended to reduce the risk of calcium oxalate stones. In addition, the citric acid found in citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges can act as a natural inhibitor of stone formation.
Diet to recommend and not to recommend with kidney stones
Diet plays a key role in preventing and managing kidney stones. People with stones should reduce their intake of sodium and animal protein , as they promote calcium accumulation in the urine. At the same time, it is important to limit foods rich in oxalates , such as spinach, rhubarb, chocolate, and nuts, which can contribute to the formation of calcium oxalate stones. Conversely, a generous intake of fluids, especially water, helps dilute urine and prevent crystallization. Foods rich in calcium (see table below) and citrates, such as lemon, can be helpful as they help prevent the formation of stones.
Remedies and Treatments for Kidney Stones
Usually when painful attacks from stones occur, normal therapies include the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs ) and smooth muscle antispasmodics such as Buscopan or Spasmomen . However, there are several alternative remedies and treatments for kidney stones, which vary based on the size and location of the stone. The Schoum solution , a traditional remedy based on plant extracts, is often used to relieve symptoms thanks to its diuretic properties, which promote the expulsion of stones. This is what I wrote a few years ago on Farmacista33 about standardized extracts in phytotherapy and in particular about the Schoum solution:
English: " Then there is a plant-based drug, perhaps the oldest on the market, which has been used since 1926 as an antispasmodic, analgesic for the biliary and urinary tracts. This is the Schoum© solution formulated in 1910 by a brilliant French doctor in the town of Courbevoie. It is a mixture composed of Fumaria hydroalcoholic extract (protopine content not less than 0.02%), Ononide hydroalcoholic extract (formononetin content not less than 0.005%), Piscidia hydroalcoholic extract (jamaicin content not less than 0.005%), glycerol and ethyl alcohol. In the original formula, chloroform appeared in small doses with anaesthetic action. Fumaria is a papaveraceae, belonging to the opium family to be clear, it acts on the liver by performing an amphocholeretic action, that is, it increases the flow of bile when it is reduced and decreases it when it is artificially stimulated, but without varying it in case of normal conditions. It is also an antispasmodic of smooth muscles, inhibits the contraction of the sphincter of Oddi and the formation of gallstones. Ononis and Piscidia act in synergy on the urinary district, carrying out antispasmodic and mildly diuretic activities useful in the prevention of kidney stones, as adjuvants in the presence of mild urinary infections and gravel."
Another natural remedy is the plant Phyllanthus niruri , commonly called "stone breaker", which is known for its litholytic properties, that is, the ability to reduce the formation of stones and facilitate their dissolution. In more severe cases, medical procedures such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), which breaks the stones into smaller pieces to facilitate their expulsion, or surgery in extreme cases, may be necessary.
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