Naturopathic Solutions For Kidney Stones

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Kidney stones are probably something you don’t think about much – until you have one, at which point the extreme pain can make it all you’re able to think about.

I’m Dr. Sheila Dyer, a naturopathic doctor in Toronto and I want to help you understand kidney stones – what they are, how to help them pass using naturopathic methods, and ways to prevent them from forming in the first place.

Keep reading to learn more.

What Is A Kidney Stone?

Kidney stones form when deposits of salts and minerals build up inside your kidneys.

A few factors which can contribute to the development of kidney stones include some supplements, certain medical conditions, diet, and being overweight.

They can form anywhere along the urinary tract, from the kidneys to the bladder.

Symptoms Of A Kidney Stone

Kidney stones may form un-noticed until they begin to move within the kidney or start to pass through the ureter from the kidney to the bladder.

When they get stuck in the ureter, they can cause a back-flow of urine and result in swelling of the kidney, causing extreme pain.

Symptoms of kidney stones include:

• Sharp, extreme pain in the back and sides, underneath the ribs
• Pain that spreads to the groin and lower abdomen
• Waves of pain that get more and less intense
• Discomfort or pain when urinating
• Discoloured urine (pink, brown, or red)
• Cloudy urine
• Fever and chills associated with infection
• Nausea and vomiting
• A constant need to urinate, urinating in small amounts

Types Of Kidney Stones

There are a number of different types of kidney stones, based on what they’re made from.

If you’re prone to kidney stones, knowing which type you have can help you take steps to reduce the likelihood of them recurring.

To determine the cause of your kidney stones, try to save them once they’ve passed in order to have them analyzed.

1. Calcium Stones

These are the most common type of kidney stones and are generally formed from calcium oxalate.

Oxalate can be absorbed from diet, or produced by the liver.

Foods containing oxalate include nuts, chocolate, and some fruits and vegetables.

Another type of calcium stones are made from calcium phosphate, and these are generally associated with certain migraine or seizure medications, as well as metabolic conditions such as renal tubular acidosis.

2. Cystine Stones

Cystine stones develop in individuals with cystinuria, a rare and inherited condition.

In individuals with cystinuria, the amino acid cystine builds up and forms into kidney stones instead of going back into the bloodstream.

3. Struvite Stones

Struvite is a mineral made by bacteria in the urinary tract.

Kidney stones composed of struvite are a side effect of urinary tract infections.

They form quickly and can grow to a large size without warning.

4. Uric Acid Stones

Uric acid stones form because of high levels of uric acid in the urine, or when urine is too acidic.

They develop in individuals who eat a high-protein diet, have diabetes or metabolic syndrome, and individuals who lose large amounts of fluid from chronic diarrhea.

Naturopathic Solutions For Passing A Kidney Stone

If you have developed kidney stones, there are some things you can do to help them pass faster.

1. Drink A Lot Of Water

Dehydration is a major cause of kidney stones because the build-up of substances which cause them happens a lot quicker and easier when there is not enough fluid to flush them out.

Drinking plenty of water helps dilute the substances which cause kidney stones.

Water can also be a useful natural stress reliever, and since kidney stones can be a stressful experience, it’s not a bad idea to pour yourself a glass or three.

2. Drink Fluids With Acetic Acid

Acetic acid can be used to help dissolve and break down kidney stones.

Fluids which contain acetic acid include basil juice and apple cider vinegar.

3. Consider Botanical Medicine

A 2016 study in the Journal of Renal Injury Prevention outlines a long list of botanical components useful as treatments for kidney stones.

The botanicals are listed in the study by their Latin names, but their common names are listed below, and include:

• Camelthorn
• Bindi
• Fennel flower
• Althaea
• Lettuce
• Sour cherry
• Mango
• Prangos
• Stinging nettle
• Common fumitory
• Psyllium
• Alfalfa
• Celery
• Syrian rhubarb
• Greater burdock
• Anise
• Tournefort’s gundelia

While they admit further research is needed to properly recommend these as treatments, many of the above are considered part of a healthy diet anyway.

You’re probably safe to pick up some lettuce or celery at the grocery store, but consult with a naturopathic doctor before adding any botanical medicines to your routine, as they can interfere with each other and with certain medications.

Naturopathic Solutions For Preventing Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are extremely unpleasant, however, generally speaking, prevention is simply a matter of making some small changes to your diet, and ensuring you get enough fluids.

Keep reading for some things you can do to prevent kidney stones from forming in the first place.

1. Drink Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has a number of health benefits, one of which is helping to prevent kidney stones.

A 2019 article looked at a sample of over 9000 people and found intake of apple cider vinegar correlated with a reduction in the formation of kidney stones.

2. Eat A Low-Sodium Diet

Diets high in sodium increase the amount of calcium in urine, which increases the likelihood of kidney stones forming.

Reducing the amount of sodium in the diet, especially if you’re prone to kidney stones, is recommended – speak to your naturopathic doctor to know the ideal levels to consume.

In addition, low sodium diets are better for overall health including heart health and blood pressure.

3. Calcium

Adding extra calcium to your diet may seem counter-intuitive because calcium-based kidney stones are the most common type.

However insufficient calcium levels in your diet can actually cause oxalate levels to rise, which leads to the development of kidney stones.

Ideally, you should be getting your calcium from food, however, if you have trouble with this than you should speak to your doctor or naturopath about the ideal dosages when looking at supplements.

Also important is sufficient vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium.

4. Use Botanical Medicine

We talked about botanical medicine as treatment for kidney stones that have already begun forming, but what about once they’ve passed?

There are some botanical medicines which can aid in the prevention of the formation of kidney stones as well.

A 2018 article in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences looked at some of these.

Some botanicals which could be useful include:

• Camellia sinensis (green tea)
• Rubusidaeus (raspberry)
• Rubia cordifolia (common madder)
• Petroselinum crispum (parsley)
• Punicagranatum (pomegranate)
• Pistacialentiscus (mastic)
• Solanum xanthocarpum (yellow-fruit nightshade)
• Urticadioica (stinging nettle)
• Dolichosbiflorus (horse gram)
• Ammi visnaga (khella)
• Nigella sativa (black-cumin)
• Hibiscus sabdariffa (roselle)
• Origanum vulgare (oregano)

Book An Appointment With Dr. Sheila

Do you suffer from kidney stones, and are tired of the pain and inconvenience which comes with them?

Or perhaps you are in a high-risk group for developing them and want to take actions to ensure you live a kidney-stone free life.

I’m Dr. Sheila, a naturopathic doctor in Toronto, and I want to help.

Naturopathic medicine can offer solutions to stop kidney stones before they start, or help them pass quicker if things get to that point.

Contact me today to learn more about how naturopathic medicine can help you.