3ac Health Tips

 

Kidney stones can cause extreme pain

Kidney stones are formed when urine becomes too concentrated due to chronic dehydration and various kidney disorders. This can cause sand-like deposits of calcium mixed with oxalate (a salt) or uric acid in the kidneys. When these deposits grow too large, that's when the real pain begins as they are difficult to pass through urination.
 
So how do you know if you have kidney stones? You may feel a pain in your abdomen, see blood in your urine, but the most telling symptoms will be the extreme pain you experience as the stone works its way down your urethra (the tube that leads from the kidney to the bladder). It makes me shudder just thinking about it!
 
According to Patient UK, about 3 in 20 men, and 1 in 20 women in the UK develop a kidney stone at some stage in their life.
 
The usual conventional treatment is to dose the patient with strong painkillers until they pass the stone. If you are a long time HSI member you will have read many past e-alerts on the dangers and side effects of over-the-counter painkillers. These include liver and kidney impairment, gastrointestinal conditions such as bleeding and ulcers, and an increased risk of hypertension in women.
 
Dietary changes and omega-3 may help prevent stones
 
Diet can affect kidney stone recurrence. A low-protein, low-salt and low-calcium diet has produced dramatic results.
 
A study of 88 participants discovered that supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), one of the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, can help prevent the formation of kidney stones.
 
If you have had a stone before, drink plenty of water to keep your urine diluted. Hopefully with this information you will avoid the painful experience of passing stones.
 
For more information on natural ways to deal with common ailments go to:
http://www.fsponline-recommends.co.uk/aphsi6?h1hsiace