KIDNEY DISEASE/STONES

 KIDNEY DISEASE/ STONES

Introduction:

Kidney stones are formed when the kidneys are unable to process toxins effectively, allowing minerals salts or other organic substances in the urine to solidify and grow

Kidney stones (Calculi) are masses that form in the kidney and vary in size from a millimeter or two to several centimeters.

They are described as renal calculus in medical language and they appear in the form of small hard deposits made up of minerals and uric acid salts.

They cause pain in the lower back and sides, sometimes blocking the flow of urine. Most are formed by calcium, oxalates and uric acid.

Though these form in the kidneys, they can be transported to the urinary tract including kidneys, ureters, bladder, and also urethra. 

Kidney stones are of several different types.

Struvite Stones

They are large and have a thorn-like shape (ouch). they develop as result of long term urinary tract infection are more common in women.

Uric Acid Stones 

They tend to be smooth and soft. About five to ten percent of stones are formed by excess uric acid, which is also linked to gout , says Glass.

Calcium stones

They are the most common. They are made up of calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate. They are more common in people with excess level of vitamin D or those with an over active parathyroid gland. This is responsible for helping to regulate calcium levels in the body. So if it is out of kilter, you may be left with excess calcium which can then turn into stones.

Cystine Stones

They are much rarer. They are yellow and crystalline in appearance, and are caused by excessive amount of an amino acid called Cystine in the urine.

Who are at risk?

The typical patients getting a first stone is male, between the age of 20 to 35 working in a busy job, with a poor fluid intake, according to research. But the incidence of stones in women is on the rise, owing to the increasing level of stress and obesity. If you have had one stone, you are more likely to get a second, with 50 percent of people getting a second 10 years of the first.

A family history and diet high in protein may increase the risk, and people who live in hot countries where dehydration is more common, are more likely to suffer from them.

Common causes Kidney diseases

Late excretion

Delaying going to a toilet or keeping your urine in your bladder for too long is a bad idea. A full bladder can cause bladder damage. The urine that stays in the bladder multiplies bacteria quickly. Once the urine refluxes back to the ureter and kidney, the toxic substances can result in kidney infection, then urine tract infections, and then nephritis, and even uraemia.

When nature calls. Do it as soon as possible.

Too much salt

Eating too much salt is not advisable for no reason. therefore you should eat no more than 5.8gram of salt daily.

Too much meat

Too much of anything is not advisable. Eating too much meat produces too much protein. This is not good as diet as it is harmful for your kidneys. Protein digestion produces ammonia. A toxin that is very destructive to your kidney. More meat equals more kidney damage.

Too much caffeine

Drinking too much caffeine raises your blood pressure and your kidney start suffering. Caffeine is a component of so many drinks. So you should cut down the amount of soda, coke and soft drink you take.

Symptoms of kidney stones

Researchers recommend looking out for the following symptoms:

Severe pain or ache

There will be severe pain in the back on one or both sides, often resulting in nausea or vomiting. In some people, it is the worst they have ever had. It can be akin to labour pains.

Sudden spasm of excruciating pain 

This is observed starting in the back before radiating out to the abdomen and groin.

Bloody cloudy or Smelly urine, frequent urge to pee or a burning sensation when you do so.

Treatment

The first treatment is pain relieve using morphine, pethidine and ibuprofen. Small stones may pass out in urine without needing any intervention other than pain relieve. Larger stones may need to be broken down with shock waves or a laser.

How to clean your Kidneys and avoid Dialysis

Buy garden egg leaves

1. Cut the leaves into pieces.

2. Rinse in clean water.

3. Put in a clean pot with clean water

4. Boil for ten minutes

5. Filter it into a bottle.

6. Allow to cool and take a full glass cup.

When you urinate, check your urine. You will notice salt and other contents of your urine. Those are the impurities that supposed to form dialysis your kidney.

Prevention

Enough water intake

Our kidneys should be dehydrated properly to perform their functions well. If we do not drink enough water, the toxins can start to accumulate in the blood, as there is not enough fluid to drain them through the kidneys. Drink more than 10 glasses of water daily. Drinking plenty of water about one liter a day helps to flush out tiny particles of gravel that can form in the kidney and cause stone says nutritionists and health experts.

The best way to tell if your are drinking enough is by checking the colour of your urine. It should be colourless or slightly pale yellow.

Change of Diet

If you have had kidney stones in the past, it is worth discussing a change of diet with your doctor. However, you need to know what kind of stone you had. A high calcium intake is alleged to increase the risk of some kidney stones, but in other people, it can help reduce the amount of oxalate excreted in the urine, which is a strong factor in the urine oxalate stones according to nutritionists and health experts.

As calcium found in high level in dairy products is important in the diet, you should not put yourself on a low calcium diet also without being properly directed by your doctor.

Loosing weight

Kidney stone are more common in obese people; says Glass. Avoiding food that are high in oxalate, such as tea, chocolate, strawberries, spinach and rhubarb may also help. A US study discovered that a glass of orange juice a day could help keep kidney stones at bay, as it contain citrate, which can decrease the risk of kidney stone formation. On the other hand, a high level of citric acid can actually increase the risk of stones in some people, says a Urologist. This underlines the fact that, if you are at risk, you should talk to your doctor or urologist before you alter your diet. If you follow the advice for the “ Wrong” kind of stone, you are likely make the situation worst.

Late treatment.

Treat all your health problems properly and have your health checked regularly