Kidney Stones

They say the pain is worse than childbirth, can make a grown man cry, or can be worse than having a root canal with no anesthetic. What type of condition can inflict such pain? A kidney stone. Kidney stones are salt and minerals that form crystals. Many of these stones are spiked with razor-sharp crystals. This is why it is so painful to pass them.

There are four types of kidney stones. Calcium stones, uric acid stones, struvite stones (compossed of magnesium ammonium phosphate), and cystine stones. Approximately 80% of kidney stones are calcium stones. Because absorbing too much calcium can be hereditary, calcium stones often run in the family.

Symptoms of kidney stones can range from frequent urination or unable to urinate, blood in urine, pain that radiates from the upper back to the lower abdomen and to the groin, fever and chills.

If you have had a kidney stone before, your chances of getting another stone can double. There are measures you can take to prevent a painful kidney stone.

Drink plenty of water and fluids. This is the single most important preventative measure you can take. Lots of water and fluids help dilute high concentrations of salts and minerals that can build up.

Since over 80% of stones are calcium, reduce calcium rich foods such as butter, milk, and cheese. This does not mean eliminate all of your calcium intake, calcium is also good for you. However, reducing consumption of dairy products can help prevent kidney stones.

Eat vitamin A rich foods such as apricots, broccoli, cantaloupes, pumpkins, winter squash, sweet potato’s, and beef liver.

Put a lid on the salt! Reducing salt intake by 3 or 4 grams per day can help decrease your chance of kidney stones. Pickled foods, lunch meat, chips and processed cheese is a good place to start reducing salt intake.

Avoid refined sugars. Sugars can stimulate the pancreas and release insulin, which can cause calcium to be excreted in the urine.

Ginkgo biloba and golden seal can help aid circulation to the kidney’s and have an anti-inflammatory property, they are both powerful antitoxins.

Magnesium can reduce calcium absorption and lower urinary oxalates. 500 mg daily is a good recommended dose.

Potassium discourages crystallization, which can lead to a stone formation. Daily suggested use is 99 mg.

Stay Active! People who are not active tend to accumulate high levels of calcium in their blood stream. Exercise can help pull calcium from your bloodstream into your bones, and that is where calcium needs to be.

Reduce intake of animal protein. Animal protein can increase both calcium and uric acid in the urine. Use more vegetables and grains.

Legend has it if you do have a kidney stone if you drink a six pack of coke classic in two hours and follow that up with a cup of puréed asparagus, the stone will dissolve.

By Tyler Woods Ph.D. 2005