The majority of kidney stones are passed without the need for treatment. However, the symptoms associated with them can be extremely uncomfortable. Therefore, it is worth looking into home treatment options which could reduce symptoms and help clear them up faster.
Here, you’ll discover some great home treatment options you can follow. However, it’s important to be aware that if symptoms worsen or if the pain is too much, you should seek medical attention.
Keep the Body Hydrated
The best form of treatment for kidney stones is to keep the body well hydrated. So, drinking plenty of water is highly recommended.
For kidney stone prevention, experts recommend drinking at least 6 to 8 glasses each day. However, if you’re looking to clear up existing kidney stones, you’ll want to increase this to around 12 glasses of water a day. Even after the stones have passed, continue to drink 12 glasses of water to prevent them from reforming.
You can also add other ingredients into your water which can prove beneficial for clearing up kidney stones. Freshly squeezed lemon juice can help to break up small stones thanks to their citrate content. Other ingredients to try adding to your water include basil, apple cider vinegar and celery juice.
Limit Caffeinated and Sugary Drinks
It’s important to limit your caffeinated and sugary drinks if you want to prevent and get rid of kidney stones. These types of drinks are known to dehydrate the body, a leading cause of kidney stone development.
Similarly, you’ll want to avoid foods with a high fat and sugar content. Not only can these increase the risk of further kidney stones, but they can also cause the symptoms to be more severe.
Ensure You Are Getting Plenty of Calcium
It may sound odd to increase your intake of calcium given that kidney stones are often formed by a build-up of the mineral. However, it can actually help to clear them up too.
It’s important to avoid calcium supplements as these can actually increase the risk of kidney stones. Instead, up your intake with calcium-rich foods. These include dairy products, broccoli, cereals and kale. It may be a good idea to talk to your doctor about how much calcium you should be consuming to help eliminate your kidney stones.
Know When to See Your Doctor
Although the above tips should help you to pass kidney stones more easily, there may be times when you need to see your doctor. If you are in severe pain, have trouble urinating, or experience fever and chills, you should seek advice from your doctor. You may need surgical treatment or intervention to get rid of the stones.
As you can see, there are a lot of home remedies you can try to get rid of those kidney stones. Most of the time, you should be able to pass them without the need for medical treatment. While the above aren’t miracle cures, they can help to ease the symptoms and pass the stones more quickly.
