Kidney Stones (Renal Colic)

Urine's function is to eliminate water and micro-crystals that have come from natural wastes, and it circulates within narrow ducts (called ureters) only a hairsbreadth in diameter. If the urine flow should diminish due to dehydration (from excess heat or insufficient liquid), or if the quantity of waste material increases, these crystals may clump together to form a stone (a process called lithiasis). In 80 per cent of cases, this occurs in someone who nsumes a lot of milk and chocolate, and the stone is made of calcium oxalate, is small, fairly hard, and spiny like a spa urchin. In 20 per cent of cases, the sufferer is someone who enjoys rich food, including a lot of meat. In these cases, the stone is larger, harder, more rounded, and made of uric acid. In very rare cases, the stone is formed of phosphates, ammonia, or magnesium.

The onset of intense, continuous pain in the abdomen or lower back, radiating down to the pubis, usually indicates kidney stones. No position brings any relief from the pain, which may be accompanied by a state of extreme agitation. A few drops of blood may be passed in the urine. A previous history of kidney stones, or perhaps a recent trip to a hot country, will also help confirm the diagnosis.

Renal colic can normally be treated at home, except in four situations in which you need to go to hospital:

- in cases of doubt as to the diagnosis, which could become a surgical emergency
- the presence of a high temperature (above 38.5° C), since a simple case of renal colic never involves a fever
- unbearable pain
- the cessation of urination altogether (known as anuria)

Extreme discomfort may justify the prescription of powerful antispasmodic medicines, along with complementary therapies.

Important general advice

The last thing you must do during an attack of renal colic is to drink large quantities of water, since that will only increase the amount of blocked urine, and thus increase the pain. Limit yourself to half a litre per day. When the crisis abates, two litres a day is the recommended quantity of water.

• If you have a calcium-containing stone, cut down on your consumption of dairy products, tea, coffee, and chocolate
• If you have a uric acid stone, limit your intake of game meat, offal, smoked or cured meats, tinned meats, fish (such as anchovies, herring, or sardines), and shellfish. Vegetables are safe, except for mushrooms, but chocolate may also bring on an attack. Taking the waters at a spa may be sufficient to dissolve a uric acid stone in about ten days

The various medicines we have at our disposal nowadays may tempt patients to think that diet is of secondary importance. In fact, diet is crucial. since any excess, particularly of fats, sugars, and alcohol, has an immediate impact on the metabolism of uric acid.

Homeopathy

Belladonna and Calcarea carbonica

- Four 5c tablets of both these remedies to be sucked slowly every ten minutes, reducing the frequency as the symptoms improve

Belladonna

- Vegetable origin: the deadly night shade plant
- The homeopathic remedy for intense, paroxysmal pain, such as migraine or renal colic
- A specific indication: the sudden, violent onset of the pain

Calcarea carbonica

- Mineral origin: oyster-shell calcium
- The homeopathic remedy for infectious conditions, skin complaints - and kidney stones. It is the logical treatment, since most kidney stones are calcium-based
- A specific indication: an extreme sensitivity to cold

You can also try Plantago-Homaccord@ (Heel) which contains Belladonna, Plantago major and Ignatia in various potencies:

- Available in drop bottles of 30 and 100ml
- In general. 10 drops 3 times daily. In acute disorders, initially 10 drops every 15 minutes

• It is also essential to determine the constltutional remedy that will get at the root of the problem. A professional homeopath is likely to prescribe Calcarea carbonica, Lycopodium or Sulfur is worth noting that Calcarea carbonica can be used both as a short-term remedy for acute episodes and as a constitutional remedy - only the odalities will vary.

Herbal remedies

Parietaria

- This is available mainly as a herbal tea (tisane), two or three cups to be drunk daily. You can improve its unpleasant, insipid taste by adding one drop of essential oil of orange

Parietaria

Parietaria, or pellitory-of-the-wall, is a member of the nettle family. It has a long treatment history as a urine 'softener' (or emollient).