Calculi – causes, side effects and treatments at NaturalPedia.com

Thursday, February 01, 2018 by Michelle Simmons

Also known as kidney stones, calculi are solid masses made of crystals that are formed in the kidney from substances in the urine. Apart from kidneys, these stones can also develop anywhere along the urinary tract – ureters, bladder, and urethra. The causes of kidney stones vary depending on the type of stone — calcium, uric acid, struvite, and cystine. Calculi most often develop in people who are between the age of 20 and 40. different factors can increase the risk of developing calculi, but the greatest risk factor is making less than one liter of urine per day. Other risk factors include: a history of kidney stones; dehydration; obesity; high-protein, salt, or glucose diet; hyperparathyroid condition; gastric bypass surgery; inflammatory bowel diseases that increase calcium absorption; and taking medications such as diuretics, anti-seizure drugs, and calcium-based antacids.

Known side effects of calculi

There are several known side effects of calculi. These include: sharp pains in the back, belly, or side; pain or burning during urination; more frequent or urgent than usual need to pee; blood in the urine; cloudy or smelly urine; blockage in a ureter; nausea and vomiting; and fever and chills.

Body systems harmed by calculi

The main body system that is harmed by calculi is the urinary system.

List of foods or nutrients that prevent calculi

Calculi can be prevented by doing some dietary changes. The most important thing you can do to prevent calculi is to drink enough water. Most healthcare professionals recommend drinking six to eight, eight-ounce glasses of water per day. Also, increase your citric acid consumption by eating more citrus fruits such as grapefruit, oranges, lemons, or limes, while limit your intake of foods high in oxalates. Moreover, avoid taking high doses of vitamin C which may increase the risk of calcium oxalate kidney stones. Another way to prevent calculi is to get enough calcium. In addition, increase your magnesium intake to help decrease oxalate absorption. Moreover, get your protein from plants instead from animals. Furthermore, decrease your intake of sodium by limiting your consumption of packaged, processed foods. Lastly, eat foods that can protect the kidneys such as basil, celery, apples, grapes, and pomegranates, and take vitamin B6 and pyroxidine supplements.

Treatments, management plans for calculi

Most kidney stones can be treated without surgery as most stones pass by themselves within three to six weeks. However, there are stones that do not pass and block urine flow or cause bleeding or an infection. Thus, these are needed to be removed. Other treatments include surgeries, extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL), percutaneous nephrolithotomy, endoscope removal, and medications.

Where to learn more

Summary

Calculi, also known as kidney stone, is a solid mass made of crystals that forms in the kidney from substances in the urine.

Side effects of calculi include sharp pains in the back, belly, or side; pain or burning during urination; more frequent or urgent than usual need to pee; blood in the urine; cloudy or smelly urine; blockage in a ureter; nausea and vomiting; and fever and chills.

Calculi can be prevented by drinking enough water, increasing citric acid intake, getting enough calcium, and eating foods such as basil, celery, apples, grapes, and pomegranates.

Calculi can also be prevented by limiting foods rich in oxalates and sodium intake.

Calculi can be treated through surgeries, extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL), percutaneous nephrolithotomy, endoscope removal, and medications.

Sources include:

BetterHealth.VIC.gov.au

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