Kidney stones (renal calculi) are mineral salts that crystallise and lodge along the course of the urinary tract. These crystals can obstruct the flow of urine. There are 4 types of crystals that can form: calcium, uric acid, struvite and cystine stones. Kidney stones appear to be an affliction of an affluent society that has a diet high in animal protein.
Causes of calcium stones: heredity, excessive absorption of calcium from the gut, dysfunction of the parathyroid glands, vitamin D intoxication, mild or recurrent dehydration, multiple myeloma.
Cause of uric acid stones: gout
Cause of struvite stones: chronic urinary tract infections
Cause of cystine stones: congenital defect
Risk factors for kidney stones: Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, low urine volume, low pH, heredity, living in a tropical climate and reduced production of normal crystal growth inhibitors.
Symptoms: intense pain (comparable to labour), profuse sweating, frequent urination, pus and blood in urine, cloudy urine, absence of urine formation, nausea, fever and vomiting.
Who to consult: If a person is suffering from intense pain associated with kidney stones it is important to seek emergency medical care from a GP or nephrologist. Other practitioners that may later be of assistance are: dietician, herbalist, homoeopath, naturopath and pharmacist.
