The kidneys are a pair of
purplish-brown organs situated at the back of the abdominal cavity, lateral to the spinal
column. The kidneys form urine from blood plasma. They are the major regulators of the
water, electrolyte, and acid-base content of the blood and, indirectly, all body fluids.
Kidney stones are an abnormal concretion usually composed of crystalline urinary salts held
together by viscid organic matter. In the kidney, these stones can block urine flow. If
the ureter is blocked by the stone, there is sudden, severe, and paroxysmal renal colic
with chills, fever, hematuria, and frequency of urination. The prognosis is serious if
left untreated. Pain relief is a priority, and relaxing the smooth muscles will help in
passing the stone and relieving pain. If the stone is preventing urine flow or continues
to grow and causes infection, surgery may be indicated, or the stone may be disintegrated
ultrasonically.
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Kidney Stones
s many as 10 percent of
American men and 5 percent of American women have a kidney stone at least once in their
lifetime. Usually composed of calcium, or crystalline urinary salts, stones form in the
kidneys when amounts of water, calcium oxylate, uric acid, and phosphate normally in the
kidneys become imbalanced. When the urine pH is abnormal or the kidneys' normal
protective mechanisms are overwhelmed, stones may also form.
Some other factors that can contribute to
the formation of kidney stones include dehydration, cout or Cushing's disease, chemotherapy
for the treatment of cancer, or using certain drugs, such as thyroid medications, vitamin
D supplements, or antacids. Once the stones have crystallized and begin to move through
the urinary passageway, the pain can be excruciating in the area below the ribs and sometimes
radiating into the lower abdomen. The pain may also be accompanied by nausea, vomiting,
lack of appetite, and fever. If a stone completely blocks off the flow of urine, infection
can form and, if left untreated, can lead to permanent kidney damage. A medical evaluation
to rule out obstruction and to find the cause of the stones is necessary. Pain medication
and surgery may be recommended. A number of herbs have traditionally been
used in connection with kidney stones.
Antispasmodic herbs are among those
traditionally used. Valerian Root
is traditionally regarded as an antispasmodic and sedative.
Scullcap and
Wild Yam, both
traditionally regarded as antispasmodics, are also used, but Wild Yam is not a sedative. Some
herbs traditionally used in this context
contain compounds called anthraquinones. These very often act as laxatives.
Yellow Dock is
traditionally used as a blood purifier, and contains anthraquinones.
Juniper berry is another
traditionally used herb.
Some other factors that can contribute to
the formation of kidney stones include dehydration, cout or Cushing's disease, chemotherapy
for the treatment of cancer, or using certain drugs, such as thyroid medications, vitamin
D supplements, or antacids. Once the stones have crystallized and begin to move through
the urinary passageway, the pain can be excruciating in the area below the ribs and sometimes
radiating into the lower abdomen. The pain may also be accompanied by nausea, vomiting,
lack of appetite, and fever. If a stone completely blocks off the flow of urine, infection
can form and, if left untreated, can lead to permanent kidney damage. A medical evaluation
to rule out obstruction and to find the cause of the stones is necessary. Pain medication
and surgery may be recommended. A number of herbs have traditionally been
used in connection with kidney stones.Antispasmodic herbs are among those
traditionally used. Valerian Root
is traditionally regarded as an antispasmodic and sedative.
Scullcap and
Wild Yam, both
traditionally regarded as antispasmodics, are also used, but Wild Yam is not a sedative. Some
herbs traditionally used in this context
contain compounds called anthraquinones. These very often act as laxatives.
Yellow Dock is
traditionally used as a blood purifier, and contains anthraquinones.
Juniper berry is another
traditionally used herb.
Note:
This information is provided for educational purposes only
and is not intended to replace the use of a qualified
health care professional. We strongly recommend the use
of a physician for the diagnostic phase of any treatment.
With an accurate diagnosis in hand, we believe the consumer,
at that point, has a basic, unalienable right to seek out
factual information on all therapeutic approaches, both
orthodox and alternative, and choose those approach(es)
that are right for them. Nonetheless, a "good doctor"
should be considered a requisite starting point.To U.S. Users:
None of the products mentioned on this page have been
evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration;
therefore, they are not intended to diagnose, treat,
cure, or prevent any disease.