Methods for preventing Kidney Stones
A person who has had more than one kidney stone may be likely to form another; so, if possible, prevention is important. To help determine their cause, the doctor will order laboratory tests, including urine and blood tests. The doctor will also ask about the patient’s medical history, occupation, and eating habits. If a stone has been removed, or if the patient has passed a stone and saved it, a stone analysis by the laboratory may help the doctor in planning treatment.
The doctor may ask the patient to collect urine for 24 hours after a stone has passed or been removed. For a 24-hour urine collection, the patient is given a large container, which is to be refrigerated between trips to the bathroom. The collection is used to measure urine volume and levels of acidity, calcium, sodium, uric acid, oxalate, citrate, and creatinine—a product of muscle metabolism. The doctor will use this information to determine the cause of the stone. A second 24-hour urine collection may be needed to determine whether the prescribed treatment is working.
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How are kidney stones treated?
Fortunately, surgery is not usually necessary. Most kidney stones can pass through the urinary system with plenty of water—2 to 3 quarts a day—to help move the stone along. Often, the patient can stay home during this process, drinking fluids and taking pain medication as needed. The doctor usually asks the patient to save the passed stone(s) for testing. It can be caught in a cup or tea strainer used only for this purpose.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Symptoms for kidney stones - Diagnosis & Treatment
SYMPTOMS
Kidney stones often do not have any symptoms. Usually, the first symptom of a kidney stone is extreme pain, which begins suddenly when a stone moves in the urinary tract and blocks the flow of urine. Typically, a person feels a sharp, cramping pain in the back and side in the area of the kidney or in the lower abdomen. Sometimes nausea and vomiting occur. Later, pain may spread to the groin.
If the stone is too large to pass easily, pain continues as the muscles in the wall of the narrow ureter try to squeeze the stone into the bladder. As the stone moves and the body tries to push it out, blood may appear in the urine, making the urine pink. As the stone moves down the ureter, closer to the bladder, a person may feel the need to urinate more often or feel a burning sensation during urination.
If fever and chills accompany any of these symptoms, an infection may be present. In this case, a person should contact a doctor immediately.
DIAGNOSIS
“Silent” Stones— that do not cause symptoms,are found on x rays taken during a general health exam. If the stones are small, they will often pass out of the body unnoticed. Often, kidney stones are found on an x ray or ultrasound taken of someone who complains of blood in the urine or sudden pain. These diagnostic images give the doctor valuable information about the stone’s size and location. Blood and urine tests help detect any abnormal substance that might promote stone formation.
The doctor may decide to scan the urinary system using a special test called a computerized tomography (CT) scan or an intravenous pyelogram (IVP). The results of all these tests help determine the proper treatment.
Kidney stones often do not have any symptoms. Usually, the first symptom of a kidney stone is extreme pain, which begins suddenly when a stone moves in the urinary tract and blocks the flow of urine. Typically, a person feels a sharp, cramping pain in the back and side in the area of the kidney or in the lower abdomen. Sometimes nausea and vomiting occur. Later, pain may spread to the groin.
If the stone is too large to pass easily, pain continues as the muscles in the wall of the narrow ureter try to squeeze the stone into the bladder. As the stone moves and the body tries to push it out, blood may appear in the urine, making the urine pink. As the stone moves down the ureter, closer to the bladder, a person may feel the need to urinate more often or feel a burning sensation during urination.
If fever and chills accompany any of these symptoms, an infection may be present. In this case, a person should contact a doctor immediately.
DIAGNOSIS
“Silent” Stones— that do not cause symptoms,are found on x rays taken during a general health exam. If the stones are small, they will often pass out of the body unnoticed. Often, kidney stones are found on an x ray or ultrasound taken of someone who complains of blood in the urine or sudden pain. These diagnostic images give the doctor valuable information about the stone’s size and location. Blood and urine tests help detect any abnormal substance that might promote stone formation.
The doctor may decide to scan the urinary system using a special test called a computerized tomography (CT) scan or an intravenous pyelogram (IVP). The results of all these tests help determine the proper treatment.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Care for your Kidneys - Use Kidney Cleanse
Bearberry Extract also known as Uva Ursi, is considered a diuretic in the botanical classification of herbs. This mild action can enhance the excretion of fluids from the body.* Bearberry decreases the accumulation of uric acid, a natural component of urine. Uric acid build up may crystallize and get deposited into the kidneys, joints and blood stream. Bearberry soothes and strengthens the membranes of the urinary system.* There is a compound present in the bearberry leaves, known as Arbutin, that is responsible for its antiseptic activity. Bearberry¡¯s antiseptic properties help regulate normal flora in the urinary system.*
Dandelion Root is a nourishing herb that contains highly assimilable minerals. In the botanical classification of herbs, it is considered a blood purifier, having most of its beneficial action on the liver. To have healthy kidneys you must also have a healthy liver, as they both support the body¡¯s detoxification process. Dandelion strengthens the liver by promoting bile secretion and provides a gentle cleansing action in the elimination of metabolic waste.* Dandelion has a mild diuretic action that aids the body¡¯s removal of excess fluids through the kidneys. The kidneys eliminate harmful substances that are detoxified by the liver.
Nettles is another nourishing herb rich in minerals, especially iron and potassium. It has mild diuretic action and aids the kidneys with elimination of uric acid.*
Yellow Dock is considered a bitter herb that promotes digestion and supports liver/kidney function.* It is high in some minerals including iron, manganese and potassium.
Short Buchu Leaf Extract has a mild diuretic action and immune supporting activity helpful with urinary system function.*
Chlorophyll is the pigment that makes plants green. Through photosynthesis, it absorbs sunlight energy and converts it into plant energy. When we consume Chlorophyll, it is transferred into our blood and cell tissue. Scientifically, its molecular structure closely resembles human hemoglobin, the pigment that makes our blood red.
When taken internally, Chlorophyll can oxygenate human cells by helping to build red blood cells. Its detoxifying and immune enhancing qualities* may be helpful for heavy metal build up. Chlorophyll neutralizes acids and toxins in the blood and helps eliminate them from the body through the kidneys. Chlorophyll is rich in vitamin K which forms a compound in the body that inhibits the formation of calcium oxalate crystals which in turn promotes healthy kidneys.*
B vitamins are water soluble and are flushed out of the body regularly. They are not stored in the body and any excess is excreted. B vitamins must be replenished daily through whole foods and supplementation. B vitamins are necessary for a healthy nervous system and they assist the liver in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins.* Stress, alcohol, tobacco, excessive sugar and caffeine can decrease the levels of B vitamins in the body.
Dandelion Root is a nourishing herb that contains highly assimilable minerals. In the botanical classification of herbs, it is considered a blood purifier, having most of its beneficial action on the liver. To have healthy kidneys you must also have a healthy liver, as they both support the body¡¯s detoxification process. Dandelion strengthens the liver by promoting bile secretion and provides a gentle cleansing action in the elimination of metabolic waste.* Dandelion has a mild diuretic action that aids the body¡¯s removal of excess fluids through the kidneys. The kidneys eliminate harmful substances that are detoxified by the liver.
Nettles is another nourishing herb rich in minerals, especially iron and potassium. It has mild diuretic action and aids the kidneys with elimination of uric acid.*
Yellow Dock is considered a bitter herb that promotes digestion and supports liver/kidney function.* It is high in some minerals including iron, manganese and potassium.
Short Buchu Leaf Extract has a mild diuretic action and immune supporting activity helpful with urinary system function.*
Chlorophyll is the pigment that makes plants green. Through photosynthesis, it absorbs sunlight energy and converts it into plant energy. When we consume Chlorophyll, it is transferred into our blood and cell tissue. Scientifically, its molecular structure closely resembles human hemoglobin, the pigment that makes our blood red.
When taken internally, Chlorophyll can oxygenate human cells by helping to build red blood cells. Its detoxifying and immune enhancing qualities* may be helpful for heavy metal build up. Chlorophyll neutralizes acids and toxins in the blood and helps eliminate them from the body through the kidneys. Chlorophyll is rich in vitamin K which forms a compound in the body that inhibits the formation of calcium oxalate crystals which in turn promotes healthy kidneys.*
B vitamins are water soluble and are flushed out of the body regularly. They are not stored in the body and any excess is excreted. B vitamins must be replenished daily through whole foods and supplementation. B vitamins are necessary for a healthy nervous system and they assist the liver in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins.* Stress, alcohol, tobacco, excessive sugar and caffeine can decrease the levels of B vitamins in the body.
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