Calculus renalis Anhang
[Dr. Vikas
Sharma MD]
For those
who suffer from recurrent kidney stones, homeopathic treatment can be very
effective and a safe alternative to any kind of surgical intervention. Homeopathic
medicine Berberis Vulgaris (medicine made from the
bark from
the plant Berberry) is well known for its great action in treating stones in
the kidney and urinary tract.
Not only
does Berberis help in eliminating kidney stones and reliving the pain, its use
also eradicates ones tendency to develop stones recurrently. Although there are
many other medicines in homeopathy that are found
useful in
treating kidney stones but Berberis alone can treat a great variety of renal
stones and the symptoms of pain arising out of it.
Kidney
stones (in medical terminology called as Renal Calculi or Urolithiasis) are
hard masses that develop in the kidney or urinary tract. These are made up of
crystals. They may contain many chemicals but usually
made up of
calcium (with combination of oxalates or phosphates) and uric acid.
Men are
usually more predisposed to having kidney stones and are more likely to develop
it as they enter into their 40’s. Hereditary factors also play a strong role.
Hypercalciuria (where there is excess of calcium excreted in
urine) is
also genetic acquired factor which leads to frequent development of kidney
stones. It is also true that once someone develops more than one stone he is
likely to develop such stones more often.
The role of
food in developing kidney stones is a debatable issue. It is popular belief
that avoiding food that is high in calcium is must in people who are suffering
from stones; in reality this is not true. On the contrary, recent studies have
shown that having food high in calcium like dairy products may actually prevent
calcium stones. Certain foods and medicines like (calcium based antacids) are
known to promote the production of stones. If one
has acidic
urine avoiding foods like fish meat and poultry can help. People who tend to
develop calcium oxalate stone and show oxalates in their urine may need to
avoid or limit their intake of foods containing oxalates like:
like
Beetroots, chocolate, coffee, cola, nuts, spinach, strawberries, tea, and wheat
bran
Kidney
stones can cause very severe pain which is caused when the stones obstruct the
flow of urine or when they move in the ureter (ducts that carry urine from the
kidney to the bladder). Pain caused by kidney stones occurs
in the back
or in the lower abdomen. It may extend to the groin area too. Passing of blood
in urine can occur when the stone moves in the urinary tract. Pain can be very
severe and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
It is a
well known fact that many stones tend to come out on their own but some do
require medical intervention. Even though, Berberis vulgaris is homeopathy’s
best, other medicines like Sarsaparilla, Hydrangea, and Benzoic Acid are also
used very extensively used in homeopathy for the treatment of renal calculi.
Choice of medicine in homeopathy is based upon the symptoms presented by the
patient.
Lifestyle
modifications like increasing fluid intake (10 - 12 glasses of water??) and a
well regulated diet is the first step in prevention of stones.