Homeopathic treatment of kidney stones

Urinary tract

The kidneys and urinary tract are an extremely complex system in the body, responsible for filtering waste products and maintaining a healthy balance of water and minerals.

The kidneys are two small organs. They act as our body’s filters, purifying the blood of waste products and excess fluid.

At the heart of the kidneys are small, functional units called nephrons. Each of the millions of nephrons is like a mini water treatment plant. They work together to filter the blood and absorb valuable substances, such as water, glucose, salts and nutrients, back into the bloodstream. At the same time, they excrete waste products in the urine.

The kidneys consist of different layers. The outer part of the kidneys is called the cortex, while the inner part is the renal medulla. The cortex is responsible for the filtration of the blood, while the renal medulla plays a crucial role in the concentration of urine.

The renal pelvis is a funnel-shaped structure that collects urine before draining it into the ureters. The pelvis is like a way station for urine, a place where it waits for a while before continuing its journey.

The ureters, narrow tubes lined with muscle tissue, serve as the pathways that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Through peristaltic contractions, they push the urine until it reaches the bladder.

The bladder is a hollow muscular structure that acts as a reservoir for urine. The elastic wall of the bladder allows it to expand and absorb large amounts of urine. When it is time to urinate, the bladder contracts and urine is removed from the body through the urethra.

Causes

Kidney stones are caused by the buildup of chemicals in the urine, which form crystals. Factors such as inadequate fluid intake, certain foods, genetics, medical conditions and reduced urine flow contribute to the development of kidney stones.

Types of kidney stones

It is possible that kidney stones consist of a combination of different minerals. Identifying the composition of the stones is important for determining appropriate treatment and preventing future stone formation. Below are the most common kidney stones.

Calcium oxalate stones

This is the most common form of kidney stones, accounting for approximately 80% of all cases. They form when calcium and oxalate combine in the urine and crystallize. Oxalate is a substance that occurs naturally in many foods, such as spinach, rhubarb and certain nuts. Excessive intake of oxalate-rich foods, as well as high levels of calcium in the urine, can contribute to the formation of these stones.

Uric acid stones

Uric acid stones form when there is an excess of uric acid in the urine and the uric acid does not dissolve properly. Uric acid is formed during the breakdown of purines, substances that occur naturally in our bodies and in some foods, such as organ meats, sardines and beans. High consumption of purine-rich foods, dehydration, certain medications, or conditions such as gout can contribute to the formation of uric acid stones.

Struvite stones

Struvite stones, also called infection stones, mainly form as a result of a urinary tract infection.

Difference with gallstones

Gallstones, on the other hand, form in the gallbladder, an organ below the liver that stores bile. Gallstones consist mainly of cholesterol and bilirubin, a breakdown product of red blood cells. Gallstones can form when there is an imbalance in the composition of bile, which can lead to the formation of hard deposits.

Difference with bladder stones

Bladder stones usually form due to the buildup of minerals in the urine that remain in the bladder, while kidney stones usually form in the kidneys and can then move to the bladder.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of kidney stones are severe pain in the side or back, pain during urination, blood in the urine, nausea and vomiting, and constant urge to urinate. Other symptoms may include fever and chills, which may indicate an infection.

A kidney stone can cause two things: blockage and/or inflammation.

Blockage

When a kidney stone forms and grows larger, it can become stuck in the urinary tract. This can lead to constipation, which hinders the normal flow of urine. As a result, urine can build up in the kidney and put pressure on it, leading to pain and discomfort. Additionally, a blockage can cause urine to flow back into the kidney, which can lead to kidney damage and infections.

Inflammation

A kidney stone can also block the urinary tract, this can create the ideal environment for bacteria to multiply and cause a urinary tract infection. The buildup of urine in the kidney can allow bacteria to multiply and spread to the urinary tract. This can cause symptoms such as painful and frequent urination, a burning sensation during urination and possibly fever. It is important to treat a urinary tract infection in a timely manner, otherwise it can spread to the kidneys and lead to a kidney infection.

How often does it happen?

Kidney stones are common, approximately 10% of the population will experience them at some point. Men have a higher risk of kidney stones than women.

What worsens/improves the complaints?

Factors that increase the risk of kidney stones include dehydration, a diet high in salt and protein, certain medical conditions, such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease.

Drinking plenty of fluids (water is best), reducing dietary salt and protein intake, and exercising regularly can help reduce the risk of kidney stones.

Regular treatment

Treatment for kidney stones depends on the size, type, and location of the stones, as well as the person’s symptoms. Small kidney stones can sometimes be passed out on their own, while larger stones must be removed. Pain is usually treated with painkillers. It is important to seek medical attention if you think you have kidney stones.

Homeopathic treatment

In the homeopathic treatment of kidney stones, the acute complaints are often quickly addressed. In addition to tackling acute complaints, homepathy also focuses on reducing the occurrence of kidney stones.

It treats kidney stones in a holistic manner, taking into consideration the individual symptoms and overall health status of the person. Homeopathic treatments are aimed at stimulating the body’s self-healing capacity. A thorough evaluation of the person’s symptoms, medical history and overall health status is important to find the most suitable homeopathic remedy. Every person is unique and may respond differently to different homeopathic remedies.

An example of homoepathic treatment

A 45-year-old man suffered from a large kidney stone. He indicated that he had already had several attacks of renal colic, always accompanied by a lot of flatulence and, prior to the attacks, a significant amount of red sediment in the urine. There was a dull pain in the back in the neighborhood the right kidney, rumbling of winds, discomfort in the stomach after drinking cold water, a lot of belching and a feeling of fullness after eating a small amount of food. He usually had more complaints from 3:30 or 4:00 PM until 8 or 9:00 PM.

After the first consultation he was prescribed Lycopodium 1M. (This was prescribed in this specific case and is not a standard remedy for treating kidney stones) Improvement occurred quickly. The flatulence subsided and within a week he was able to eat a normal amount of food without discomfort. The renal colic also slowly decreased. After the follow-up consultation a month and a half later, the drug was repeated again. Since then he has only some minor complaints.