What are kidney stones?
- kidneys
- ureters
- bladder
- urethra
Kidney stones are one of the most painful medical conditions. The causes of kidney stones vary according to the type of stone.
Not all kidney stones are made up of the same crystals. The different types of kidney stones include:
Calcium
Calcium stones are the most common. They’re often made of calcium oxalate (though they can consist of calcium phosphate or maleate). Eating fewer oxalate-rich foods can reduce your risk of developing this type of stone. High-oxalate foods include:
- potato chips
- peanuts
- chocolate
- beets
- spinach
However, even though some kidney stones are made of calcium, getting enough calcium in your diet can prevent stones from forming.
Uric acid
This type of kidney stone is more common in men than in women. They can occur in people with gout or those going through chemotherapy.
This type of stone develops when urine is too acidic. A diet rich in purines can increase urine’s acidic level. Purine is a colorless substance in animal proteins, such as fish, shellfish, and meats.
Struvite
This type of stone is found mostly in women with urinary tract infections (UTIs). These stones can be large and cause urinary obstruction. They result from a kidney infection. Treating an underlying infection can prevent the development of struvite stones.
Cystine
Cystine stones are rare. They occur in both men and women who have the genetic disorder cystinuria. With this type of stone, cystine — an acid that occurs naturally in the body — leaks from the kidneys into the urine.
The greatest risk factor for kidney stones is making less than 1 liter of urine per day. This is why kidney stones are common in premature infants who have kidney problems. However, kidney stones are most likely to occur in people between the ages of 20 and 50.
Different factors can increase your risk of developing a stone. In the United States, white people are more likely to have kidney stones than black people.
Sex also plays a role. More men than women develop kidney stones, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
A history of kidney stones can increase your risk. So does a family history of kidney stones.
Other risk factors include:
- dehydration
- obesity
- a diet with high levels of protein, salt, or glucose
- hyperparathyroid condition
- gastric bypass surgery
- inflammatory bowel diseases that increase calcium absorption
- taking medications such as triamterene diuretics, antiseizure drugs, and calcium-based antacids
Stones don’t always stay in the kidney. Sometimes they pass from the kidney into the ureters. Ureters are small and delicate, and the stones may be too large to pass smoothly down the ureter to the bladder.
Passage of stones down the ureter can cause spasms and irritation of the ureters. This causes blood to appear in the urine.
Sometimes stones block the flow of urine. This is called a urinary obstruction. Urinary obstructions can lead to kidney infection and kidney damage.
Diagnosis of kidney stones requires a complete health history assessment and a physical exam. Other tests include:
- blood tests for calcium, phosphorus, uric acid, and electrolytes
- blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine to assess kidney functioning
- urinalysis to check for crystals, bacteria, blood, and white cells
- examination of passed stones to determine their type
The following tests can rule out obstruction:
- abdominal X-rays
- intravenous pyelogram (IVP)
- retrograde pyelogram
- ultrasound of the kidney (the preferred test)
- MRI scan of the abdomen and kidneys
- abdominal CT scan
The contrast dye used in the CT scan and the IVP can affect kidney function. However, in people with normal kidney function, this isn’t a concern.
There are some medications that can increase the potential for kidney damage in conjunction with the dye. Make sure your radiologist knows about any medications you’re taking.
Treatment is tailored according to the type of stone. Urine can be strained and stones collected for evaluation.
Drinking six to eight glasses of water a day increases urine flow. People who are dehydrated or have severe nausea and vomiting may need intravenous fluids.
Other treatment options include:
Medication
Pain relief may require narcotic medications. The presence of infection requires treatment with antibiotics. Other medications include:
- allopurinol (Zyloprim) for uric acid stones
- thiazide diuretics to prevent calcium stones from forming
- sodium bicarbonate or sodium citrate to make the urine less acidic
- phosphorus solutions to prevent calcium stones from forming
- ibuprofen (Advil) for pain
- acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain
- naproxen sodium (Aleve) for pain
Lithotripsy
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy uses sound waves to break up large stones so they can more easily pass down the ureters into your bladder. This procedure can be uncomfortable and may require light anesthesia. It can cause bruising on the abdomen and back and bleeding around the kidney and nearby organs.
Tunnel surgery (percutaneous nephrolithotomy)
A surgeon removes the stones through a small incision in your back. A person may need this procedure when:
- the stone causes obstruction and infection or is damaging the kidneys
- the stone has grown too large to pass
- pain can’t be managed
Ureteroscopy
When a stone is stuck in the ureter or bladder, your doctor may use an instrument called a ureteroscope to remove it.
A small wire with a camera attached is inserted into the urethra and passed into the bladder. The doctor then uses a small cage to snag the stone and remove it. The stone is then sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Proper hydration is a key preventive measure. The Mayo Clinic recommends drinking enough water to pass about 2.6 quarts of urine each day. Increasing the amount of urine you pass helps flush the kidneys.
You can substitute ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, and fruit juice for water to help you increase your fluid intake. If the stones are related to low citrate levels, citrate juices could help prevent the formation of stones.
Eating oxalate-rich foods in moderation and reducing your intake of salt and animal proteins can also lower your risk of kidney stones.
Your doctor may prescribe medications to help prevent the formation of calcium and uric acid stones. If you’ve had a kidney stone or you’re at risk for a kidney stone, speak with your doctor and discuss the best methods of prevention.
Drinking plenty of fluids is a vital part of passing kidney stones and preventing new stones from forming. Not only does the liquid flush out toxins, but it also helps move stones and grit through your urinary tract.
Although water alone may be enough to do the trick, adding certain ingredients can be beneficial. Be sure to drink one 8-ounce glass of water immediately after drinking any flavored remedy. This can help move the ingredients through your system.
Talk to your doctor before getting started with any of the home remedies listed below. They can assess whether home treatment is right for you or if it could lead to additional complications.
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid using any remedies. Your doctor can determine whether a juice may cause side effects for you or your baby.
When passing a stone, upping your water intake can help speed up the process. Strive for 12 glasses of water per day instead of the usual 8.
Once the stone passes, you should continue to drink 8 to 12 glasses of water each day. Dehydration is one of the main risk factors for kidney stones, and the last thing you want is for more to form.
Pay attention to the color of your urine. It should be a very light, pale yellow. Dark yellow urine is a sign of dehydration.
You can add freshly squeezed lemons to your water as often as you like. Lemons contain citrate, which is a chemical that prevents calcium stones from forming. Citrate can also break up small stones, allowing them to pass more easily.
A great deal of lemons would be needed to make a huge effect, but some can help a little.
Lemon juice has numerous other health benefits. For example, it helps inhibit bacteria growth and provides vitamin C.
Basil contains acetic acid, which helps break down the kidney stones and reduce pain. It’s also full of nutrients. This remedy has been used traditionally for digestive and inflammatory disorders.
There are antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents in basil juice, and it may help maintain kidney health.
Use fresh or dried basil leaves to make a tea and drink several cups per day. You may also juice fresh basil in a juicer or add it to a smoothie.
You shouldn’t use medicinal basil juice for more than 6 weeks at a time. Extended use may lead to:
- low blood sugar
- low blood pressure
- increased bleeding
There’s very little research on how effective basil is for kidney stones, but it does have anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid. Acetic acid helps dissolve kidney stones.
In addition to flushing out the kidneys, apple cider vinegar can help ease pain caused by the stones. There are numerous other health benefits of apple cider vinegar.
One lab study found that apple cider vinegar was effective in helping reduce the formation of kidney stones, though more studies are needed. But because of the numerous other health benefits, there’s probably little risk.
Shop for apple cider vinegar online.
To reap these benefits, add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to 6 to 8 ounces of purified water. Drink this mixture throughout the day.
You shouldn’t consume more than one 8-ounce glass of this mixture per day. You can also use it on salads straight or add it to your favorite salad dressing.
If ingested in larger amounts, apple cider vinegar can lead to low levels of potassium and osteoporosis.
People with diabetes should exercise caution when drinking this mixture. Monitor your blood sugar levels carefully throughout the day.
You shouldn’t drink this mixture if you’re taking:
- insulin
- digoxin (Digox)
- diuretics, such as spironolactone (Aldactone)
Celery juice is thought to clear away toxins that contribute to kidney stone formation and has long been used in traditional medications. It also helps flush out the body so you can pass the stone.
Blend one or more celery stalks with water, and drink the juice throughout the day.
You shouldn’t drink this mixture if you have:
- any bleeding disorder
- low blood pressure
- a scheduled surgery
You also shouldn’t drink this mixture if you’re taking:
- levothyroxine (Synthroid)
- lithium (Lithane)
- medications that increase sun sensitivity, such as isotretinoin (Sotret)
- sedative medications, such as alprazolam (Xanax)
Pomegranate juice has been used for centuries to improve overall kidney function. It will flush stones and other toxins from your system. It’s packed with antioxidants, which help keep the kidneys healthy and may have a role in preventing kidney stones from developing.
It also lowers your urine’s acidity level. Lower acidity levels reduce your risk for future kidney stones.
Pomegranate juice’s effect on preventing kidney stones needs to be better studied, but there does appear to be some benefit in taking pomegranate extract, lowering the risk of stones.
There’s no limit to how much pomegranate juice you can drink throughout the day.
You shouldn’t drink pomegranate juice if you’re taking:
- medications changed by the liver
- blood pressure medications, such as chlorothiazide (Diuril)
- rosuvastatin (Crestor)
The broth from cooked kidney beans is a traditional dish, often used in India, that has been used to improve overall urinary and kidney health. It also helps dissolve and flush out the stones. Simply strain the liquid from cooked beans and drink a few glasses throughout the day.
The following home remedies may contain ingredients that aren’t already in your kitchen. You should be able to buy them from your local health food store or online.
Dandelion root is a kidney tonic that stimulates the production of bile. This is thought to help eliminate waste, increase urine output, and improve digestion. Dandelions have vitamins (A, B, C, D) and minerals such as potassium, iron, and zinc.
You can make fresh dandelion juice or buy it as a tea. If you make it fresh, you may also add orange peel, ginger, and apple to taste. Drink 3 to 4 cups throughout the day.
Some people experience heartburn when they eat dandelion or its parts.
You shouldn’t drink this mixture if you’re taking:
- blood thinners
- antacids
- antibiotics
- lithium
- diuretics, such as spironolactone (Aldactone)
Talk to your doctor before taking dandelion root extract, as it can interact with many medications.
Wheatgrass is packed with many nutrients and has long been used to enhance health. Wheatgrass increases urine flow to help pass the stones. It also contains vital nutrients that help cleanse the kidneys.
You can drink 2 to 8 ounces of wheatgrass juice per day. To prevent side effects, start with the smallest amount possible and gradually work your way up to 8 ounces.
If fresh wheatgrass juice isn’t available, you can take powdered wheatgrass supplements as directed.
Taking wheatgrass on an empty stomach can reduce your risk for nausea. In some cases, it may cause appetite loss and constipation.
Horsetail has been used to increase urine flow to help to flush out kidney stones and can soothe swelling and inflammation. It also has antibacterial and antioxidant properties that aid in overall urinary health.
However, you shouldn’t use horsetail for more than 6 weeks at a time. There are dangers of seizures, decreased levels of B vitamins, and loss of potassium.
You shouldn’t use horsetail if you take lithium, diuretics, or heart medications such as digoxin.
Horsetail isn’t recommended for children and pregnant or breastfeeding women. Horsetail contains nicotine and shouldn’t be taken if you’re using a nicotine patch or trying to quit smoking.
You also shouldn’t drink horsetail juice if you have:
- alcohol use disorder
- diabetes
- low potassium levels
- low thiamine levels
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