Home Remedies for kidney stones

                 In this post we are going to see some home remedies that might help in tackling kidney stones.. But first we will see what are kidney stones..

What are Kidney Stones ?

A stone is a solid mass that forms in any part of the urinary tract. Kidney stones can form in several locations including the kidneys themselves, the ureters (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body), and sometimes in the bladder. Small and hard stones may pass through the urethra without causing symptoms. However, large or sharp stones may cause pain in the back or flank area, blood in the urine or painful urination.

                Home remedies are always considered as safe way to treat various health related problems. Home remedies have been used from centuries and still remains popular among common people. You can use these natural home remedies to cure kidney stone problems naturally. These are generally applicable for both children and adults. Some foods like milk, curd, honey etc help in preventing the formation of kidney stones while some others prevent their passage out of body.

 Causes of Kidney Stones :

                 Kidneys are responsible for filtering wastes from blood. Kidney are located below the ribcage. They remove toxins and other waste materials that accumulate inside our bodies. When excess fluid accumulates inside one's urinary system, it makes the urine thick and difficult to pass through the kidneys. This prompts the development of kidney stones. There are many factors affecting the formation of kidney stones including heredity, diet, lifestyle and age. But following certain healthy habits can reduce the risk of developing kidney stones.

 Home Remedies for Kidney Stones Treatment :

 • Drink plenty of water. Drinking enough water helps to flush away toxins and prevents the buildup of harmful substances in the bladder. The ideal amount of fluids varies according to individual need. A general rule is to drink half your weight in pounds in ounces of fluid each day. If you weigh 150 lbs then you should drink 75 fl ozs of water everyday. The recommendation may vary depending on your physical condition, illness and activity level.

 • Avoid excessive consumption of salt. Salt intake increases the chances of forming kidney stones. People who smoke tobacco, eat large quantities of processed food and drink alcohol excessively often develop kidney stones.

 • There are many different ways to treat kidney stones at home. Some people have had success with just drinking large amounts of water. Others use saltwater flush, though this method should only be used if your doctor says that it is safe for you to do so. There are some herbal treatments, which may help ease the pain caused by passing a kidney stone. These include raspberry leaf tea, dandelion root tea, or even raw garlic juice.

 • Kidney stones can often be avoided by following certain dietary habits. People who frequently consume foods high in oxalate content (such as spinach, rhubarb, chocolate, nuts, seeds, almonds, peanuts, soy products, beetroot, sardines, mushrooms, avocados, and lima beans) need to avoid them altogether. Foods rich in calcium like milk, cheese, yogurt, tofu, broccoli, and fortified cereals are ideal choices. In general, foods high in protein like meat, fish, eggs, cheese, dairy products, nuts, and legumes are helpful in reducing the risk of forming a kidney stone. Avoiding caffeine, acidic fruits, excessive sugar, and alcohol helps prevent the formation of these stones too.

 • The best way to get rid of a kidney stone is to remove the causes first. If you want to try out any home remedies for kidney stones, make sure they are tested thoroughly before trying them. You might start off slowly, but give yourself time to adjust to the changes you are making to your diet. Don't force anything. Listen to your body and go slow when trying to change your diet.

 • Drink lots of water! Water helps flush out poisons from your body. Make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water each day, especially if you are prone to having kidney stones. If you can’t keep up with this amount, try drinking 1 gallon of water per day.

• Try not to eat any foods that cause you to urinate frequently. These include caffeine, sugar, salt, dairy products, soft drinks, alcohol, and many other items we often consume.

•  Avoid meat. Meat contains large amounts of phosphorous, which can contribute to calcium being deposited in your kidneys. This can lead to hardening of the arteries. If you must have meat, make sure it is low-phosphorous chicken.

• Limit your use of salt. Salt causes minerals to remain in solution rather than being excreted through urine. This makes them harder to eliminate through the urinary system. You should be able to easily pass urine after consuming less than 2 grams of sodium chloride (table salt).

• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. They contain high levels of citric acid, which help move some of the waste material from your body into your stool. Citrus fruits contain vitamin C, which boosts immunity and helps protect your body against infections. Fruits like strawberries, blueberries, oranges, and apples contain a lot of fiber which adds bulk to your stool and moves it along the digestive tract.

• Don’t smoke tobacco. Tobacco contains nicotine, which stimulates your nerves, causing you to urinate more frequently. Smoking actually dehydrates you and weakens the muscles of your bladder.

• Milk thistle has been used since ancient times, including Greece and China, as a treatment for many ailments. This medicinal herb has amazing properties that help eliminate toxins from your body, especially from your kidneys. These include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumorigenic, immuno-modulating and anti-microbial properties. A study published in 2015 showed that milk thistle extract can reduce the size and severity of kidney stones within just 28 days.

• Drink plenty of water daily (8 glasses). This helps flush out toxins from your body and keep the urine alkaline. Alkaline is the best way to remove minerals that form stones.

• Eat high fiber foods like vegetables, whole grains, fruits, beans, nuts, seeds, etc. They are great at removing toxins from the system.

• Get some exercise daily. Exercise stimulates the kidneys and keeps them healthy.

• Attempt to get 8 hours of rest each evening. Your body needs this time to detoxify and repair.

• Increase your vitamin intake by eating lots of leafy greens, broccoli, tomatoes, carrots, fish, etc. This helps increase the level of bicarbonate in the blood. Bicarbonate levels can help reduce the risk of forming calcium oxalate stones (the most common type).

        Hope this information helps.. Keep Learning.. Keep Growing..