The growing incidence of kidney stones these days is a cause for concern. Kidney stones are the most common disorder of the urinary tract. People who consume food high in protein and food which is low in fibre and fluids are at a greater risk of developing kidney stones or renal stones. Many people suffer from renal stones either because they suffer from elevated levels of uric acid in their body; there are other people who work under constant pressure and this in turn raises their stress levels which lead to stone formation in their kidney. Some people have this as hereditary disease and get it because it is there in families for ages. Also, there are some others who because of acidity take regular medicines such as antacids, which in turn gives rise to urinary or renal stones. People who suffer from high blood pressure also often suffer from kidney stones and are prone to getting this disease quite often.

As per medical records men suffer from this condition more as compared to women. Only one woman among 30 women suffers from renal stones, whereas about one in 14 men suffer from kidney stones. Also people who are between the age group of 20 and 40 are more susceptible to get kidney stones. 

What is a kidney stone, it is nothing but small crystals ranging in millimeter form in the urine and assemble in the inner lining of either one of both kidneys. These crystals over time become bigger in size and form stones in the kidney, the ureter, or the bladder. These stones comprise a variety of amalgamation of minerals and other chemicals, some of which are derived from our diet.

Usually, our urine consists of chemical that forbid the formation of stone build up in our kidney such as magnesium, citrate, and pyrophosphate to name a few. However, a lack or shortage of these protective chemical substances can lead to crystal formation. Also, if the pH balance is disturbed that is the balance of acid and alkaline substances in our urine can also give rise to kidney stones.

Few other reasons of why kidney stones are formed are due to certain diseases such as imbalance of uric acid metabolism, gout, and excessive intake of vitamin D. Few diuretics (a diuretic is any substance that promotes the production of urine) or calcium-based antacids also augment the peril of forming kidney stones.

Moreover, most of the times kidney stones are made up of calcium; but kidney stones can also be formed of uric acid and oxalate. Oxalate or oxalic acid is found in a number of common vegetables, fruits, and grains. Kidney stone are also made up of calcium phosphate. Also, food rich is purine lead to stone formation in the kidneys. Purine rich food give rise to kidney stone made up of uric acid. A purine is a natural substance that is seen in all of the body cells and in all foods. About  10 per cent of stones are struvite, which are made of magnesium ammonium phosphate. Struvite stones are responsible for giving rise to urinary tract infections.

What are the symptoms of kidney stones?

Mostly kidney stones develop inside the kidney silently. Some people never get to know of the signs of kidney stones. But the most common symptom is fever, severe pain and blood in the urine. Blood in the urine comes only when the size of the stone is big enough not to easily pass out. Symptoms also includes vomiting and nausea. However, if a person suffers fever and chills along with the above mentioned symptoms, it is a sign of urinary tract infection.

How to dissolve the kidney stones in a natural way?

• An excellent and easy way is to consume a lot of water about 8 to 12 glasses of water on a daily basis. 
• Also, cut back on food such as apples, tomatoes, asparagus, beer, berries, black pepper, cabbage and cauliflower, cheese, chocolate, cocoa, coffee, cola drinks, figs, grapes, ice-cream, milk, oranges, butter, pineapples, spinach, tea, vitamin, and curd. Stay away from food with added vitamin D and antacids that have calcium as a base.
• Also, check if you pass out acidic urine, you will need to minimize the intake of non-vegetarian food such as meat, fish, and poultry.
• Exercising helps a lot in reducing the uric acid level but at the same time it is advisable to drink lots of water to prevent dehydration.
• Soak about 100 grams of horse-gram (Dolichus biflorus) in water and keep it over night. Next morning you can drain the water and have it regularly. This is slow process but a sure shot way to dissolve kidney stones easily.
• Boil the radish in a bowl and drain the water and consume this water. This decoction helps in flushing out kidney stones naturally.
• Also, Ayurvedic medicines such as chandraprabhaa vati and Gokshura kada are some successful medicines used to treat the condition. However, please consult your Ayurvedic physician before taking these medicines.

Hope you find this article useful.