The Best Guide to Passing Kidney Stones Quickly
Most doctors recommend letting the stone pass through the urinary system naturally, instead of using the expensive ultrasonic treatment to break them up.
Unfortunately for kidney stone sufferers, passing a stone can be very painful.
This pain can last days as the stone slowly travels through the kidneys, into the bladder, and through the urethra.
There a few ways to speed up the passing process when dealing with a stone.
Most of them can be done at home by yourself, but some methods do require a doctor's supervision and approval, to make sure no further damage would be caused.
One new method that scientists have been recommending since the 1950's is drinking or eating acidic fruit to use the natural fruit acids to break down the uric acid that makes up the largest and most painful stones.
The majority of kidney stones are under 5 mm and made of calcium, and are easier to pass.
Dr.
Ludwig Blau discovered that eating a half pound of cherries everyday helps reduce the size of stones.
He was researching treatments for gout, and noticed that it also helped with passing kidney stones quickly.
For those not able to eat a half pound of cherries every day, phosphoric acid, a common ingredient in many citrus flavored soft drinks, works just as well.
People attempting to pass any kind of stone need to drink as much water as possible, and take water soluble fiber additives as a safe diuretic.
Another treatment that is highly effective at breaking down or dissolving stones as they travel is the use of Alpha-blockers, which are normally prescribed for high blood pressure.
A doctor must monitor and prescribe these medications for use, and they can have other unintended side effects.
They're still very helpful, and generally safe, for those suffering from intense pain from the passing of kidney stones.
While it may not help with passing the kidney stones quickly, non-prescription painkillers such as aspirin are generally recommended to make the process less painful.
Eating a fiber filled and nutritious diet also helps avoid further development of stones in most people.
If stones are too large or too painful to pass, a doctor will recommend an alternate ultrasound or surgical treatment.
Chronic stones may require daily medication or an altered diet to eliminate this painful problem.