Kidney stones form when substances, such as calcium, uric acid, and oxalate accumulate and form crystals in our kidneys. These crystals that grow into stones are almost made up of calcium (80-85%). After forming in the kidneys, the stones then pass down the ureter wherein it results in severe pain as it blocks the flow of urine.
Here are some of the symptoms that a person may have kidney stones:
- Pain in the back, belly, or side
- Urgent need to go
- Painful or burning sensation during urination
- Going small of urine at a time
- Fever and chills
- Nausea and vomiting as the body’s response to pain
The most common kidney stone is a calcium stone that can be caused by too much salt in a patient’s diet. Due to this, reducing salt intake helps to prevent such stones.
Some people are not aware that they have tiny stones in their kidney until such time that these stones leave the kidney and enters the ureter and cause pain.
Lemons For Kidney Stones
Experts claim that if life gives you kidney stones, make a lemonade.
Found in lemons is a high concentration of citrate which is a natural inhibitor of kidney stones. It helps stave off some kinds of kidney stones by reducing the excretion of calcium in the urine.
According to studies, drinking four ounces of reconstituted lemon juice in two liters of water per day can help decrease the rate of stone formation from 1.00 to 0.13 stones per patient.
In a separate study conducted by the team of David Kang, a medical student, and researcher at the Duke University Comprehensive Kidney Stone Center, results showed that 12 kidney stone patients experienced a lower burden of kidney stones and a slower rate of stone appearance than they did before starting lemonade therapy.
Steven Y. Nakada, chairman, and professor of urology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, says that:
“When treating patients in our kidney stone center, we put everyone on lemonade therapy.”
Lemons don’t work quite as well as potassium citrate. However, this can be an attractive alternative for patients who would rather avoid another medication.
As a remedy for kidneys stones, we simply need to mix 1/2 cup of concentrated lemon juice and 7 cups of water. Add honey to taste.
Some other tips we need to follow to prevent kidney stones include reducing the amount of salt in our diet, eating smaller portions of meat and fish at each meal, and increasing fluid intake.
