Kidney Stones: The Silent Symptoms

Deb Mastrianna

Perhaps your back aches when you bend over, and it feels like sciatic pain.  Or you are experiencing bloating, UTIs, irregularity and queasiness or nausea after eating.  Maybe you feel like your energy level is lower than normal.  It could be Kidney Stones. 

The symptoms of kidney stones are easily confused as symptoms of other conditions, such as diverticulitis, kidney infection, and even back problems, particularly in the early stages.  Unfortunately, it is often undiagnosed until the problem is serious.

A kidney stone, renal calculi, is a hard, crystalline mineral material formed within the kidney or urinary tract. While smaller stones are usually not a problem, larger stones may be a common cause of blood in the urine (hematuria) and often create severe pain in the abdomen, flank, or groin, due to a blockage in part of your urinary system as they leave your body.  This can lead to severe pain, vomiting, bleeding and more extreme treatment requirements.

Kidney stones are firm lumps formed from crystallized waste products in the kidneys. They are a common health problem and passing large stones can be very painful.  In fact, about 12% of men and 5% of women in the United States will develop kidney stones during their lifetime. And your chances of getting them again, once you have had them, is about 50%.  While there are four main types of kidney stones, about 80% of are calcium oxalate stones.  Less common forms include struvite, uric acid, and cysteine.

For those who are lucky enough to have been spared this condition, so far, it is important to understand how to prevent kidney stones naturally and identify the symptoms before they become serious.  And for those who are currently, or have experienced kidney stones, it is important to understand how to keep them at bay.

If you are currently suffering from kidney stones, here are some tips to prevent this problem from recurring.

First, there are several herbs that may be beneficial in your Kidney prevention and elimination protocol.  You can read more about them and how they contribute to your kidney health by clicking on the link to each herb.

• Parsley Leaf
• Hydrangea Root
• Marshmallow Root 
• Queen of the Meadow
• Cleavers Leaf
• Alfalfa Leaf

Drink, Drink, Drink: Fluids dilute and increase the volume of the stone-forming substances in urine, which makes them less likely to crystallize.  A high intake of water is linked to a lower risk of kidney stone formation, particularly when served with lemon. Avoid sugary drinks, such as fruit drinks and sports drinks, because they add calories and change the acid-base balance of the urine and may contribute to kidney stone formation.

Consume More Citric Acid: Citric acid may help prevent calcium oxalate kidney stones by binding with calcium in urine to reduce the risk of new stone formations, and by binding with existing calcium oxalate crystals, to prevent them from getting larger. It can also help you pass the crystals before they turn into larger stones.

Go Easy on the Oxalates: Oxalate (oxalic acid) is an antinutrient found in many plant foods, including leafy greens, fruits, vegetables, and cocoa.  Your body produces considerable amounts of oxalates, naturally, but a high oxalate intake may increase oxalate excretion in urine, which can be problematic for people who tend to form calcium oxalate crystals, kidney stones.  However, foods high in oxalate also tend to be very healthy, so a strict low-oxalate diet is no longer recommended for all stone-forming individuals.  Foods high in oxalate can be problematic for some people. Consult a health professional before limiting these foods.

Limit Your Vitamin C:  Some studies have shown that vitamin C (ascorbic acid) supplements may increase the excretion of oxalate in the urine and create a higher risk of getting kidney stones.  Lemons, however, are not associated with an increased stone risk.

Calcium is Key: Many people associate a decrease your calcium intake with a reduced risk of forming calcium-containing stones.  This is not true.  A diet high in calcium has been associated with a decreased risk of forming kidney stones.  Dietary calcium tends to bind with oxalate in the diet, which prevents it from being absorbed and saving the kidneys from having to pass it through the urinary system.

Cut Back on Salt: A high intake of sodium, one of the main risk factors for kidney stones, may increase calcium excretion through urine.   One of the best ways to decrease your sodium intake is to cut back on packaged, processed foods.

Get More Magnesium: Magnesium is involved in hundreds of metabolic reactions within your body, including energy production and muscle movements.  And there is some evidence that magnesium may help prevent calcium oxalate kidney stone formation by reducing oxalate absorption in the gut.   To reap maximum benefits, consume magnesium along with foods that are high in oxalate, or at least within 12 hours of eating oxalate-rich foods.

If you have had kidney stones, you know all too well the discomfort and the toll it can take on your daily routine. Fortunately, taking certain dietary and herbal measures may help reduce this risk.  Just a few simple adjustments may go a long way in preventing painful kidney stones.