Every year, over half a million people visit emergency rooms to seek relief from kidney stones. Studies suggest that one in ten people have a kidney stone at some point. The stones are hard fragments that form in the kidneys. Often, they are tiny enough to exit the body through urine. Diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure can aggravate the risk of developing kidney stones. Here’s more about its symptoms, causes, and treatment options.

Symptoms
Typically, a kidney stone does not cause symptoms till it travels to one of the ureters or moves around within the kidney. Ureters are the tubes connecting the bladder and kidneys. When kidney stones lodge in the uterus, they may hinder urine flow, causing the ureter to spasm and the kidney to swell. It can be painful and trigger the following symptoms:

• Sharp, severe pain in the back and the side, underneath the ribs
• Burning sensation or pain while urinating
• Pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity
• Pain that radiates to the groin and the lower abdomen

Other kidney stone signs include:

• Red, brown, or pink urine
• Vomiting and nausea
• Foul-smelling or cloudy urine
• Chills and fever if an infection is present

A persistent need to urinate, urinating more than typical or urinating in smaller quantities
Typically, the kidney stone-induced pain may change. For instance, it may increase in intensity or shift to a different location as the stone passes through the urinary tract.

Causes
Kidney stones are most prevalent in people between 20 and 50 years. Different factors can aggravate the probability of developing a stone. White people are more susceptible to developing kidney stones in the country than Black people. Gender also plays a role, as kidney stones are more common in men than women. A family history of kidney stones or a history of stones also aggravates the risk. Some other kidney stone causes include:

• Dehydration
• Eating meals with high glucose, salt, or protein levels
• Gastric bypass surgery
• hyperparathyroid condition
• Inflammatory bowel diseases that aggravate calcium absorption

Treatment options
After diagnosis, the healthcare provider will first assess if one needs treatment. Typically, the smaller kidney stones exit the system when one urinates. However, it can be painful. So, the doctor may advise surgery or some prescription alternatives if treatment is necessary.
Broadly, there are four kinds of surgeries (Ureteroscopy, Shockwave lithotripsy, Precautious nephrolithotomy, and Open stone surgery) for treating kidney stones. The first three are minimally invasive, meaning the surgeon enters the body via a natural opening like the urethra or carves a small incision.

Beyond this, some home remedies can also help with the treatment. Some remedies that prove effective are:

Water
It is one of the simplest ways to prevent and treat kidney stones, as dehydration is one of the top kidney stone causes. Experts recommend drinking at least six to eight glasses of water daily to avoid dehydration.

Lemon juice
Lemon has citrate, which breaks down calcium deposits and reduces kidney stone growth. Studies suggest sugar-free lemon juice is an effective remedy for kidney stones. Please read the labels carefully when buying juice products. For instance, several lemon juice products have a high degree of sweeteners and small amounts of pure lemon extract. It can aggravate the risk of developing kidney stones. Purchasing fresh lemons and squeezing them at home or buying pure extract is the easiest method to get undiluted lemon juice.

Celery root juice
Celery vegetable contains potassium and antioxidants, which help prevent the mineral build-up in the kidney, lowering the susceptibility of stone development. Moreover, it holds high water content to help eliminate toxins and wastes from the kidneys. Take three to four washed celery stalks and chop them into pieces to process into juice. Put the pieces into the blender with some water and consume immediately.

Dandelion root juice
Dandelion plant root also helps the kidney boost urine output, facilitate digestion, and eliminate waste. Further, the herb has vitamins and minerals that benefit the body. Studies suggest that dandelion also helps avoid kidney stone development.

Pomegranate juice
Pomegranate juice has antioxidants, which help maintain kidney health. Some people also believe it aids in preventing kidney stones.

Basil juice
Basil is full of nutrients. People have traditionally employed basil juice for inflammatory and digestive disorders. Basil has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and also supports kidney function. To make the juice, use dried or fresh basil leaves, make tea, and drink several cups daily. Alternatively, juice fresh basil in a juicer or add it to a smoothie.