How To Dissolve Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are solid masses composed of small crystals, which can be larger or smaller, depending on the case. Also, one or more stones may occur at the same time in the kidney or ureter. They can present with symptoms such as:
- Abdominal pain.
- Pain in the genitals.
- It causes nausea and vomiting.
- Presence of blood in the urine.
- Pain in the side or in the kidneys.
- Frequent desire to urinate and burning when doing so.
The main risk factor for kidney stones is not drinking enough fluids every day. However, it is not the only one, there may be others and we will see them later.
Types of kidney stones
According to experts from the National Institutes of Health there are several types of kidney stones:
- Calcium: they are the most common. Calcium can combine with other substances to form them, the most common being the union with oxalic acid. Oxalate is a substance that is found naturally in food and is also produced by the liver. Some fruits and vegetables are high in oxalate.
- Cystine: These stones form in people with an inherited disorder that causes the kidneys to excrete too much of certain amino acids (cystinuria).
- Struvite: Struvite stones form in response to an infection, such as a urinary tract infection.
- Uric acid: can form in people who do not drink enough fluid or lose a lot of fluid, those who eat a high-protein diet, or those who have gout.
Depending on the type of stones, their size and other aspects related to the person’s health, the doctor will prescribe one treatment or another. However, in all cases it is essential to improve hydration and eating habits.
Helps to dissolve kidney stones
The following natural drinks are designed to be included in a healthy lifestyle and to support the treatment prescribed by the doctor. Therefore, they are not intended to replace drugs, but to help the person drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.
Let’s see what the options are below.
1. Dandelion
Dandelion is a plant that, is indicated in the monograph of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) as a medicine for traditional use (MTP) for mild digestive disorders and to increase the amount of urine and clean the urinary tract and kidneys. .
To prepare an infusion the root and leaves are mixed. To make it, bring 1-2 teaspoons of the mixture to a boil in about 150 ml of water. Then, remove it from the heat and let it rest for 15 minutes.
Finally, filter the infusion and sweeten it to your liking. It is advisable to have a cup in the morning and another at night.
2. Bearberry
To take bearberry infusion, bearberry leaves are combined with other diuretic and purifying plants, such as horsetail, birch leaves and arenaria.
First, you should boil a liter of water with 4 tablespoons of the plant mixture for a couple of minutes. Once it has rested, filter the infusion and you can drink it throughout the day.
3. Burdock
It has inulin, phytosterol and phenolic acids, among other compounds. Its composition gives it properties such as: antiseptic, alkalizing, diuretic, purifying, cholagogue, and anti-inflammatory.
Prepare an infusion with a teaspoon of burdock per cup of water. Add hot water and let it sit for 4 minutes.
4. Nettle
Nettle is a natural diuretic used since medieval times, it favors the elimination of excess fluids in the body. The properties of nettle make that taken as an infusion, it helps us to prevent the formation of kidney stones and dissolve any that there are.
The infusion is made with 1 cup of very well washed nettle leaves and 2 cups of water, it is advisable to take between 1 and 2 cups a day.
Helpful everyday measures
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day: at one point your doctor may ask you to measure the amount of urine you pass to make sure you are drinking enough water. If you live in a hot, dry climate or if you exercise frequently, you will need to drink more water to produce enough urine.
- A useful tip : If your urine is clear and transparent when you go to the bathroom, you are probably drinking enough water.
- Incorporate more fruits into your diet, especially those that have a high water content, such as watermelon, melon, etc.
- Eat less foods rich in oxalates: It is recommended that you reduce foods rich in oxalates, such as: spinach, chard, sweet potatoes, walnuts, tea, chocolate, black pepper and soy products.
- Eat a diet low in salt and animal protein: reduce your salt intake and choose non-animal protein sources.
In short, it is extremely important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to avoid both the formation of kidney stones and to reinforce the treatment prescribed by the doctor (if they already exist and it is necessary to dissolve them).
