Kidney Stones and Homeopathy
There are various causes behind the formation of kidney or renal stones of which dietary factor plays a vital role. Lifestyle changes, changing trends in food habits, low fluid intake, etc. increase the risk of developing renal stones.
Certain other factors like physiological changes in the urine (eg. urinary pH, specific gravity, etc.), urinary tract infection, urinary stasis, hyperexcretion of urinary constituents such as oxalates, calcium, uric acid, cystine and conditions like hyperparathyroidism, hyperoxaluria, etc. are favourable conditions in the urinary system for the formation of urinary stones by a situation of super-saturation due to failure of in-built mechanism to prevent it.
Types of Kidney Stones/Renal Calculi
There are different types of renal stones. Based on their chemical composition they are classified into calcium oxalate, uric acid, cysteine and xanthine stones. Other types are the triphosphate and mixed stones. Calcium oxalate stones are the most common (around 80%), followed by uric acid (5-10%). Cystine stones are formed due to genetic disorder. People who have frequent urinary tract infection tend to get renal calculi, which is called struvite stone. It is composed of ammonium magnesium phosphate. Renal stones may occur anywhere in the urinary tract. Mostly, stones which are smaller in size pass through the tract unnoticed. When the size is large enough to obstruct the ureter, the discomfort arises.
Renal Colic and Other Symptoms
Renal colic usually results from ureteric spasm due to obstruction of urinary tract by calculi. The common clinical presentation is severe pain in the flanks radiating towards the groin and genitalia. Usually it starts sudden & lasts for about 20 to 60 minutes. The symptoms may vary from person to person, which helps homoeopaths to select the right remedy. Sometimes the condition may be asymptomatic as in the early stages. When severe, this may be associated with nausea, fever and vomiting, haematuria and pyuria.
Effects of Renal Stone and the Recurrence
The stones formed have different effects on both the kidneys. On the kidney in which the stone is formed, there is obstruction, infection and local ischemia and metaplasia. On the other kidney, there may be compensatory hypertrophy, and infection. Sometimes the stones may be bilateral with severe damage to the system. Even after the surgery, there is a greater chance of recurrence. Some people have diathesis of increased level of a component leading to the formation of renal stones. Some others have a persistent tendency to the formation of renal stones. There are many homoeopathic remedies which help to counter such diathesis and tendency.
Homoeopathic Management for Kidney Stones*
Homoeopaths usually manage the case with specific drugs known to act on renal calculi and based on peculiarities and characteristics of the pain, urination pattern, side involved, nature of urine, accompanying symptoms, etc. Homeopathy treatment also prevent the recurrence of stones.
Consult a qualified homeopath. Self-medication is not advisable.