Kidney Remedies

According to the dictionary, the word "remedy" means to a way fix or cure a problem. Where health is concerned, the word remedy often follows the word "home." In it's generally used meaning, a home remedy is something you can do at home to fix a health issue without going to a doctor for treatment.

A home remedy, then, is inappropriate for most health issues involving kidney problems.  

Forget about looking for a home remedy for kidney disease or kidney failure. These are serious and possibly even deadly illnesses. You need professional medical help, period.

A kidney infection can be extremely dangerous because it may lead to chronic kidney failure. If you have the symptoms of a kidney infection, let your doctor know right away.

However, doctors agree there are some things you can do - call them kidney remedies if you like - to help you deal with problems like kidney stones and kidney stone pain.

Kidney stone remedies

According to doctors everywhere, drinking a lot of water is the best remedy for a kidney stone. They recommend about 2.5 liters a day. This will help "flush" the stone (or stones) down into your bladder where they have a chance to come out with your urine.

Some stones are too large to pass this way however. Extra corporeal shock wave lithotripsy or kidney removal surgery may be necessary.

For decades, people with kidney stones were told to drink a lot of cranberry juice. Recent research has shown that plain water works just as well.

People who have visited our blog and contributed ideas have said that taking a warm shower or lying down in a warm bathtub has given them relief from kidney stone pain. The speculation is that the warmth may open up the ureters a bit and relieve blockage from the stone. It might also be that lying down alleviates some of the downward gravitational pressure caused by obstruction from a stone.

These are strictly non-medical theories however, and have no basis in actual research. But they make some sense, and they seem to work for some people. There doesn't appear to be any danger or downside in trying them.

Preventing kidney stone pain

Many people who surf the web looking for kidney remedies are actually looking for ways to prevent kidney problems. Technically, "remedy" and "prevention" mean two different things. Nonetheless, we'll include some prevention tips here just in case.

These "remedies" are all natural. We have intentionally not listed medications you can get with your doctor's recommendation.

Lower your sodium intake. This means less salt.

Anything that's high in fructose corn syrup should be avoided. This includes food and drinks.

Antacids that contain calcium are generally not good if you have kidney stones.

Beef, pork and poultry are high in protein. A lot of protein is not good for kidney health. Most doctors say keep your beef, pork and poultry intake at 6 ounces a day or less.

Moderate amounts of dairy products are okay. One to three servings each day should be sufficient.

Eat pasta sparingly.

Be careful with high oxalate foods. This is somewhat counterintuitive, because you're always hearing that dark green vegetables are great for you. But oxalates promote the growth of kidney stones. Nuts and chocolate are also high in oxalates.

There's been some research lately indicating that magnesium citrate or vitamin B-6 may help prevent kidney stones. The jury is still out however, and it's too soon to make a strong recommendation.
 

 
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