renalis from Progressive Health Nutraceuticals

Stones usually cause lasting symptoms.  The primary symptom, as mentioned, is pain, but having kidney stones can lead to other serious complications, including blood in the urine (hematuria) and urinary tract infection (UTI).  Although research has not provided a precise calculation on factors influencing stone formation, we know that diet plays an important role.  Proper hydration and nutritional adequacy are both paramount in preventing kidney stone formation. 

As you may already know, many American's fail to receive adequate nourishment through diet alone.  Renalis can be your primary defense, replenishing the body with nutrients lacking from diet.  Progressive Health's unique blend of kidney supporting nutrients promote reductions in urinary calcium levels and subsequent stone formation, while promoting kidney health and function.
 

What is a Kidney Stone?

A kidney stone (Renal Calculi or Nephrolithiasis) is a solid mass of crystals (minerals) that separate from the urine and build up upon the inner surfaces of the kidneys.  They form when the normal balance of water, salts, and minerals found in the urine changes. 

As well, certain chemicals found in urine normally prevent crystals from forming.  However for some unknown reason, these chemicals do not work efficiently in everyone and, consequently, a formation of stones results.  Most individuals will pass stones without ever knowing a crystalization has taken place, as their structure usually remains tiny enough to "pass" without incident.  The type of kidney stone you have is dependant upon both the chemical composition of your urine and change in nutrient balance.

The most common substance resulting in the formation of stones is calcium; usually when combined with either an oxalate or phosphate.  The amino acid, cysteine, and uric acid are other chemical compounds that can lead to kidney stone formation.

Signs and Symptoms:

The majority of individuals with kidney stones do not present any symptoms.  Unfortunately, the first symptom is often extreme pain due to a blockage of urine flow as the stone moves in the urinary tract.  Many patients describe this pain as a "sharp/stabbing and cramping" sensation either in the lower abdomen or on the back and side of the body where the kidney is actually located.  This pain may spread throughout the groin region.  Nausea and vomiting have been known to occur as well.

Secondary symptoms may manifest as either blood in the urine, fever and chills, or both.  Elevation in body temperature is likely a result of infection.  As the stone moves down the ureter, closer to the bladder, the need to urinate is more pronounced.  Lastly, there may be a burning sensation during urinating. 

"In 2000, kidney stone patients made nearly 3 million visits to health care providers for symptom management.  Approximately 600,000 of these persons went directly to the emergency room."

Causes/Risk Factors for Kidney Stone Formation:

No clear cause has been determined regarding the formation of kidney stones.  Of course like other conditions that occur from unknown origin, there are many potential causes and underlying factors for condition onset.  What scientists do know, however, is the chemical composition of these stones.  They speculate that stones must be a result of a super concentration of chemicals in the urine.  Determining why this chemical and urine content varies from individual to individual could possibly explain why kidney stones form only in certain people.  Each of the four main types of stones is likely to have a different cause and may include:

• Sedentary lifestyle
• Geographical location and Climate (i.e. high temperature)
• Long term dehydration, caused by inadequate fluid intake
• Intakes of excess uric acid or certain medications
• Excessive intakes of Vitamin C and Vitamin D
• Diet high in fruits and vegetables that contain high amounts of oxalates
• Low levels of citrate and/or magnesium

Heredity, frequent urinary tract infections, and certain metabolic disorders may also influence kidney stone formation, and are potential risk factors.  Additionally, if you are between the age of 20 and 70 you are at a greater risk for developing a stone; men are far more likely to develop a stone than women (80/20); white Americans are at a much higher risk for kidney stones than are blacks; if you've had more than one kidney stone, you are at a far greater risk for developing another.

Diagnosis Kidney Stones:

The majority of kidney stones are silent, meaning that they do not cause symptoms and are found by some other means, such as x rays taken during a normal physical exam.  "Silent" stones pass out of the body unnoticed and are the majority when it comes to kidney stone formation in adults.  However, when patients exhibit either severe, sudden pain or blood in the urine, a more formal diagnosis takes place. 

The majority of doctors employ the use of x rays or sonograms to determine what mechanism is actually causing the presentation of condition symptoms, i.e. stone or no stone.  These diagnostic images can help the doctor determine both the location and size of the stone, as well as what treatments to initiate.  Moreover, blood and urine tests, Computed Tomography (CT) or Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP) tests, may also be conducted to assess the condition of the urinary tract.

Conventional Treatments:

Conventional treatment for kidney stones is typically divided into two categories: prophylaxis (preventative) and immediate treatment.  Patients presenting with a kidney stone can receive narcotics for the pain or possibly shock wave lithotripsy if they are:

There are also a variety of medical procedures, such as endoscopy, that may be percutaneous (from above) or ureteroscopic (from below).  The only stones that can be dissolved chemically are uric acid stones via prolonged alkalinization of the urine.  The treatment process entails using prescription medications (i.e alkalinizing drugs) like potassium citrate, and increasing water intakes.

Once a person has passed a stone or experienced removal, they should be treated preventively (prophylaxis) as there is an extremely high rate of recurrence.  Treatment approaches will vary and are directly dependant upon the type of metabolic abnormality that is influencing one's kidney stone formation.  For example, patients with hypercalciuria are often prescribed thiazide diuretics to decrease calcium oxalate levels and control the amount of calcium that flows in or out of urine. 

This results in a greatly decreased rate of stone formation.  In the case of struvite stones, the associated urinary tract infection from urea-splitting bacteria will be treated using antibiotic therapy.  In any event, patients should drink more water.  The National Institutes of Health recommend drinking upwards of twelve glasses per day if you've already had a kidney stone.