Renal Calculi / Kidney Stones
Renal calculi (nephrolith or urolithiosis), also known as kidney stones, are solid masses which are formed by the deposition of minerals and other toxins which need to be excreted through the urine.
Size of the stones may vary. Small stones may pass through urine easily without causing any symptoms. If the stone grows to sufficient size (usually more than an average size of 3mm) then it can create a blockage in the kidney or the urine stream. Also if the stone is at a non- obstructive site in the kidney then it may not cause any symptom unless it grows to a significant size.
Blockage to the urinary stream may lead to difficulty while urinating. Also there is backache or more often pain radiating from outer region of the middle or lower back towards the inner region of the thigh (loin to groin pain). Stones having sharp ends may cause injury to ureter which may lead to presence of blood while urination.
Causes of Renal Calculi according to Ayurveda:
- Lack of water intake
- Suppression of natural urges – urination & excretion
- Excessive intake of food
- Irregular meals
- Obesity
- Excessive exercising without proper diet and rest
- Physical exertion leading to excess loss of water
- Alcohol abuse
- High intake of animal proteins without exercising
All the above factors will lead to the reduction of water content in the body. Thus the required water for the formation of urine and flushing out of toxins is inadequate, leading to accumulation of toxins, minerals and salts in the form of stones in the kidney.
Signs and symptoms of Renal Calculi:
- Intermittent pain radiating from lower back to inner side of thigh
- Lower or middle back pain
- Obstructed or dripping, or no urination at all
- Pain during urination
- Burning sensation while urinating
- Haematuria (blood in urine)
- Foul smelling urine
- Fever with chills, nausea, and projectile vomiting etc.
Ayurveda Body Cure’s treatment plan for Renal Calculi:
Recommendations according to your body type and size of the kidney stones will be done after a detailed consultation by our Ayurvedic consultant. This will include specific herbal medications, dietary and lifestyle changes, yoga and yogic breathing techniques along with other exercises, detoxification if needed, as well as herbal massage based therapies.
Herbal Remedies:
Considering the size of the kidney stones, your individual body constitution, climatic conditions, dietary habits and life style, the herbal remedies are selected accordingly. The herbal remedies are given to increase the urine output so as to flush the accumulation of toxins in kidney and stones through urine. Combinations of herbs like Pashanbhed (Cyclea peltata), Ushir( Vetiveria zizanioides ), Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris ), Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), Varun (Crataeva nurvala), etc.
Healthy lifestyle and dietary changes are suggested considering your daily routine with minimum disturbance. To develop healthy and helpful practices and exclude causative habits of renal calculi is the focus in the customized lifestyle recommendations such as:
- Drinking 1-2 liters of water in the whole day
- Exercise and yoga practise
- No stopping of natural urges
- No smoking
- No alchohol intake/ drug intake
- Yoga and exercise recommendations:
Yoga postures like Dhanurasana (Bow pose), Pawanamuktasana (Wind relieving pose), Uttana padasana (raised leg pose), Pranayama, Matsyasana (Fish pose), Vajrasana (thunderbolt), etc are suggested which are helpful in relieving pain and symptoms associated with renal calculi.
Yoga to keep your kidneys healthy
Note: If the kidney stones are large and are not flushed out through the urine from the above treatment plan, Ayurveda advises surgery called as “Shashtrakriya” in the same way as the modern allopathic science suggests now.
