Hey ya’ll, I have to admit, when I started blogging, posting a monthly conversation was not what I had in mind, but it is better than bi-annually (tee, hee, hee). My original goal was to post three times a week, lofty goal, right?!?
Enough self- recrimination… what shall we discuss today?
If you are a FB friend you know that my husband recently had kidney stones, again. He was in the hospital for three days, but luckily passed the one causing the obstruction a few hours before his scheduled surgery. He is still waiting on the analysis of his stones so the doctor can prescribe some medication to help him stop producing so many. He is a kidney stone making machine!!!
Well, as you may or may not know, I am an advocate for preventative care (not pharmaceuticals), I think food, and exercise, herbs, vitamins, minerals, and common sense are the best medicines. Ok, calm down…we are talking prevention here not curing cancer. I agree there is a time and place for prescription medication.
The following information is from a friend of mine, she is an herbalist and a regular member of my Zumba in the Circuit classes.
Kidney stones can form when urine contains too much of certain substances. These substances can create small crystals that become stones.
The biggest risk factor for kidney stones is dehydration.
Kidney stones may not produce symptoms until they begin to move down the tubes (ureters) through which urine empties into the bladder. When this happens, the stones can block the flow of urine out of the kidneys. This causes swelling of the kidney(s), causing pain. The pain is usually severe.
Supporting supplements:
Remember to drink a lot of water (lemon or lime added to the water can be helpful).
1) Marshmallow (not the bags from the grocery store, duh) - there are many testimonies of this helping relieve the pain of passing stones better than morphine. This herb coats the tubes so that the passing can be tolerated better. Take 3 capsules every 2-3 hours as needed for pain/discomfort. If pain is excruciating, you can take 4-5 capsules every 3 hours. (Take this supplement with food if you have severe hypoglycemia.)
2) Hydrangea – used to break up the stones. Take 3 capsules 3 times a day for 3 weeks.
3) Vitamin B-6 and Magnesium - may be helpful in prevention of kidney stones.
Remember, I am sharing information concerning this topic. I am not a medical practitioner in any form or fashion. Do your own research, be an informed consumer, and your own health advocate.
From my moderate amount of online research it doesn’t seem that persons with autoimmune disease are any more likely to suffer from kidney stones than anyone else. They obviously don’t understand the stress of having a husband who seems to be going through child birth! Kidney involvement in Lupus rarely causes discomfort or pain. Do keep in mind that along with our brain the kidneys are potentially the most serious organ involved in lupus because they may be “silently” involved – meaning the patient does not know there is disease process going on.
Be sure to friend me on FB! Include a message that you are a member of the Lupus community, Zumba, friend or foe (just kidding about the last one, surprise me).
Hugs and kisses,
Ruby
God bless America!
It’s ok to leave a comment below, really.
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