A kidney stone is a solid piece of material that forms from crystallization of excreted substances in the urine. Different kinds of kidney stones are formed from salts in the urine.
The stone may stay in the kidney or even break loose and travel down the urinary tract. A small stone may actually leave the body, however larger stones can get stuck in the ureter (the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder) or the urethra (the tube that connects to the bladder and allows urine to exit the body). A stone can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a pearl. In rare cases kidney stones can grow to the size of golf balls. They are smooth or jagged in texture and range in color from yellow to brown. There are many different types of kidney stones.

# Calcium Stones (This is the primary type, and my remedy dissolves these literally within hours)
# Struvite Stones (These types can lead to infection in the urinary tract)
# Uric Acid Stones (When too much acid in the urine)
# Cystine Stones (These stones are very rare, and usually hereditary

What your Kidneys do?

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs in your abdomen which form a part of the urinary tract. They are responsible for filtering waste products and useful chemicals from your blood and eliminating the waste products into the urine. Without the kidneys, waste products and toxins would build up to dangerous levels in the blood and damage your body.

Your kidneys also regulate the body’s level of necessary substances like water, sodium and potassium. The correct balance of such substances is vital for your body to function healthily, but excess amounts can be harmful.

As well as removing wastes, the kidneys are also responsible for releasing vital hormones. Renin is an important hormone for regulating salt levels and blood pressure. Erythropoietin is vital in the process of red blood cell formation in the bone marrow

The kidneys also produce the biologically active form of Vitamin D which is used for absorbing calcium and maintaining the health and strength of your bones.

What can go wrong with your Kidneys?

As with all organs of the body, the kidneys are subject to a range of disorders and diseases. Kidney damage usually takes place gradually and without symptoms and it may only be after years of kidney disease that kidney functioning becomes noticeably decreased. Some people are born with only one kidney or donate one of their kidneys to a family member or friend. These people can live healthy, normal lives as long as their remaining kidney stays healthy. In kidney disease one can lose more than 75% of kidney functioning before the effects become obvious.

The two most common causes of kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure. If you or your family has a history of these diseases, you may be at risk for kidney problems. Some kidney diseases are inherited, for example Poly cystic Kidney Disease (PKD). Infection, direct injury, poisons and drugs (Like prescription or over-the-counter painkillers) can also lead to serious kidney damage or dysfunction.

All of the above disorders and diseases can lead to decreased kidney function or kidney (renal) failure. This may happen suddenly (Acute Renal Failure) or, more commonly, gradually over years of disease (Chronic Renal Failure).

Kidney stones are also a very common problem. These are formed by clumps of crystals which can block the urinary system. Depending on the size of a kidney stone, it may be passed out in the urine unnoticed or it may cause severe pain – some may even require surgery.

What are the symptoms of kidney disease?

Some kidney stones produce no symptoms at all but are discovered during a routine check-up. These are known as ‘silent’ stones. If, however, a kidney stone gets into the urinary tract, and blocks off the flow of urine or starts some infection, it can cause intense pain, which demands emergency treatment.In the early stages of kidney disease, many people experience no symptoms at all. As kidney functioning deteriorates one may develop the following problems:

• A decreased amount of urine
• Urine that looks foamy or dark
• Pain in the flanks
• High blood pressure
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Itchiness
• Swollen face, hands or feet
• Muscle cramps
• Severe pain in their attempt to pass down the ureter
• Frequent desire to urinate
• Painful urination
• Scanty urination
• Nausea, vomiting, sweating, and chills
• Sometimes passes blood with the urine

How is kidney disease diagnosed?

Although there are a number of tests that may be done to establish kidney disease, the urine sample your doctor takes is a common way that kidney problems may be first identified. For example, blood, protein, or white blood cells in the urine may indicate injury, infection, or inflammation of the kidneys, and glucose in the urine may be an indication of diabetes.

How is kidney disease usually treated?

The treatment of kidney disease will depend on the specific condition and may involve a number of prescription drugs including antibiotics and steroids. The control of blood pressure and diabetes also plays a major role in preventing further damage to diseased kidneys. In the case of kidney failure, dialysis (filtering of the blood by an artificial kidney machine) is required. In severe and irreversible cases of kidney failure, a kidney transplant may be necessary.

Can natural remedies help?

If left untreated, kidney disease can become irreversible and can be a significant threat to your health. People with diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of kidney disease also need to actively prevent kidney disease and keep these organs in optimum condition.

Kidney problems respond well to complementary medicine and a holistic approach (including diet). These will improve kidney functioning and ultimately decrease the need for prescription drugs or surgery.