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Kidney Stones
24-Hour Urine Test |
Naturopathic Treatment |
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24-Hour Urine Test
for Kidney Stones
Effective preventative measures are based on the patient’s
chemical risk factors, which can often be uncovered with a
24-hour urine test and a blood test.
The patient strains their urine to collect stones for chemical
analysis.
The physician performs a blood test to evaluate the serum
calcium, uric acid, phosphate, electrolytes, and bicarbonate
content.
Urine is collected during a 24-hour period
and analyzed for calcium, citrate, uric acid, magnesium,
phosphate, sodium, oxalate, pH (acid level), and total volume.
The physician evaluates the data and recommends dietary
modifications, supplements, and medications to minimize the
risk for developing kidney stones. The 24-hour urine test may
be repeated several months after treatment has begun to
determine the success of the therapy and any adjustments that
should be made. Long-term strict compliance and periodic
retesting may substantially reduce the risk for future stone
formation.
Naturopathic Treatment
for Kidney Stones
From a naturopathic perspective, kidney stones that do not
occur as a result of a genetic or metabolic disorder are
considered to be a diet-related condition. Proper nutrition
can support healthy kidney function and may discourage stone
formation, and natural therapies may help ease the pain and
spasm that accompanies stone passage. Kidney stone treatment
should be undertaken only after a physician has made a
definitive diagnosis.
Nutrition
The following nutritional recommendations may help to prevent
stone formation or recurrence:
Eat a whole foods diet that contains leafy green vegetables,
fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and fish and
poultry in small portions. Include foods that have a high
ratio of magnesium to calcium such as brown rice, bananas,
oats, barley, and soy, and that are high in fiber such as oat
bran, psyllium seed husk, and flaxseed meal.
Drink a minimum of ½ of body weight in ounces of water daily
(e.g., a 150 lb person would drink 75 oz of water). Proper
hydration helps prevent the urine from becoming concentrated
with crystals, which can lead to kidney stone formation; and reduces
the risk for urinary tract infections, which may lessen the
risk for struvite stones. Urine color can indicate the level
of concentration: dark or bright yellow urine indicates highly
concentrated urine; pale or colorless urine indicates dilute
urine.
Avoid sugar (check ingredients for hidden sources of sugar),
alcohol, antacids, excessive protein, dairy products
(especially milk), salt, carbonated beverages, caffeine, and
refined white flour products such as pasta, white bread, and
baked goods.
Homeopathy
Homeopathic medicines may be utilized by naturopathic
physicians to treat the pain and spasm associated with kidney
stones. When treating the passage of a kidney stone with
homeopathy, it is important to remember that the size of the
stone must be small enough to pass without surgical
intervention and that administration of the homeopathic
medicine usually changes the clinical picture, which will then
require a different remedy. Other therapies, such as herbal
medicines, hot packs, and supplements, are sometimes used with
homeopathy.
The following homeopathic remedies have been utilized by
naturopathic physicians in treating a kidney stone:
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Berberis
vulgaris—Indicated for sharp, stitching pains that radiate
to the groin area and right-sided kidney stones.
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Cantharis—Indicated for urine that burns and is passed
drop by drop.
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Colocynthis—Indicated
for pain over the whole abdomen while urinating.
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Ocimum canum—Indicated
for pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
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Pennyroyal—Indicated for frequent urination and left-sided
ureter spasm or stone.
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The standard dosage for acute symptom relief
is 3 pellets of 30C every 4 hours until symptoms resolve.
Lower potencies, such as 6X, 6C, 30X, may be given every 2 to
4 hours. Symptoms may improve shortly after the second dose.
If there is no improvement after 3 doses, a different remedy
is given. Note: Most homeopathic remedies are delivered in a
pellet that has a lactose (milk sugar) base. Homeopathic
liquid may be a better choice for those who are lactose
intolerant.
Hydrotherapy
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Castor oil
pack—Castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties and may
be used to relieve painful cramping or spasms.
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Hot
pack—Placed over the affected area, hot packs can relax
muscles that are tense from pain and spasm, allowing for
easier passage of the stone. Use caution in the elderly
and diabetics, as they are less sensitive to heat and may
be burned.
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Hot vinegar
pack—Indicated for severe pain: use a 50:50 vinegar-water
solution and place over affected area.
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For more information about The Austin Diagnostic Clinic's
urology department or this topic,
please call 512/901-4221
or
click here to send an email request. |
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