Only someone who has suffered from renal colic can know how strong it is and will surely do what is in their power to avoid suffering from it again. Having grit in the kidneys can make you have to go immediately to a medical emergency. Still, knowing the origin of this problem, you can avoid it and even prevent it with specific simple measures.
In this FastlyHealarticle, we bring you reliable and updated information to know what the symptoms of grit in the kidneys are, what medical treatment is done if you have it, and what home remedies can help.
Table of Contents
Why does grit come out in the kidneys: causes
The function of the kidneys is to filter and clean the toxins that circulate in the blood. For their proper functioning, they need a certain amount of fluid intake.
When the liquid they receive is insufficient (urinate less than 1 liter per day), as well as when the amount of toxins is very high, some residue may remain in the kidneys themselves and that, later, can pass to the ducts that remove urine of our body (ureters and urethra). These residues accumulate, forming grit, and when the amount is considerable, the famous kidney stones are formed, which generate a lot of pain when passing through the ureters and urethra.
In most cases, it occurs in people without any previous history. Still, if the person has already suffered from kidney stones, they are more likely to have another episode than someone who never had this problem. On the other hand, it has also been seen that there is a greater risk of grit when there are relatives who have suffered the same problem.
Other conditions that favor the appearance of kidney stones are:
- Obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and metabolic syndrome.
- Low calcium diets: orange, spinach (not calcium oxalate calculations), almonds, oregano, and thyme are rich sources of usable calcium and reduce the possibility of having grit. Not so dairy, since it has been shown to cause inflammation in the body. On the other hand, calcium supplements increase the possibility of suffering stones.
- Diets rich in animal protein: meat, eggs, and dairy increase the risk. Also, protein supplements.
- Diets rich in salt: salt is added to dishes, which is present in processed foods.
- Certain medications: high-dose vitamin C, some diuretics, antacids, corticosteroids, theophylline, aspirin, vitamin D, chemotherapy, sulfonamide, nitrofurantoin, indinavir, topiramate.
- Hypercalcemia: hyperparathyroidism, prolonged immobilization, neoplasms, sarcoidosis, Paget’s disease.
- Hyperthyroidism
- Gout.
- Intestinal malabsorption: inflammatory bowel disease, bowel surgery, chronic diarrhea, laxative abuse.
- Kidney diseases.
- Genetic diseases: cystinuria, primary hyperoxaluria, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, cystic fibrosis.
- Recurrent urinary tract infections.
Symptoms of grit in the kidneys
No symptoms may appear as long as they are microscopic particles or do not pass into the excretory ducts of the kidney and are only discovered by a laboratory test, such as an ultrasound.
When the grit or stones pass into the ureters and partially or obstruct them, this is when renal colic occurs, the symptoms of which are:
- Pain: Pain in the lower back, very intense, with a sudden onset, one-sided, colicky (lasts between 20 and 60 minutes, subsides, and reappears). It can spread to the lower abdomen, testicle, or thigh on that side or simulate appendicitis. It does not calm down in any position.
- The permanent urge to urinate, feeling that you have not urinated, burning when urinating.
- Hematuria: that is, blood in the urine.
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation.
- Low-grade fever (between 37.5 and 38 ° C)
Another way to manifest the grit can be with urinary infections: pain to urinate, need to urinate frequently, pus in the urine.
In some instances, emergencies should be called immediately:
- Pregnancy.
- Patients with only one kidney.
- The person does not urinate.
- Kidney transplant.
- Fever is more significant than 38 ° C.
Medical treatment of grit in the kidneys
If the grit is discovered by analysis and the person does not have symptoms, it will tend to try to improve kidney function through:
- Increase water intake: 2.5 to 3 liters per day. Other drinks such as coffee, black tea, sodas, juices with preservatives, and sugary drinks, although they hydrate, they have substances that do not collaborate in cleaning the kidney.
- Reduce the consumption of salt.
- Increasing the consumption of vegetables, whole grain cereals, and legumes decreases the formation of crystals in the urine.
The same applies to those who do have symptoms, but when pain occurs, medical action must be effective at the time since it is a medical emergency. In this case, the following medications for grit in the kidneys or treatments can be used:
- Pain relievers: Diclofenac, naproxen, and dipyrone are excellent in these cases. The second relieves pain and relaxes the muscle of the excretory ducts and can be given in conjunction with other pain relievers.
- Anticholinergics ( Buscopan ): its use is very widespread in the acute picture since it was believed that it slowed down colic by relaxing the muscles of the ureter. Still, it has been shown that it has no better efficacy than administering only analgesics or opiates.
- Opioids: Morphine is administered if the pain does not subside with common analgesics or if these are contraindicated.
- Antiemetics: Metoclopramide is used to improve nausea and vomiting.
- Sedatives: When there is excessive agitation and tachycardia due to colic, benzodiazepines may be indicated to calm the patient.
- Local heat: applying heat to the painful area is a measure that helps the patient a lot.
Usually, when colic subsides, conservative treatment is tried, that is, without other therapies, since a large part of the stones will be eliminated on their own in up to 4 weeks. Certain medications are usually used to help eliminate stones faster and with less pain, but only if they measure less than 10 mm. These medications are:
- Alpha-blockers: tamsulosin is used.
- Calcioantagonistas: como la nifedipina.
- In some cases, corticosteroids are used, but it has been seen that they do not offer advantages and have many adverse effects. Therefore, their use is discouraged.
When the stones do not pass on their own or when they are enormous, the specialist may indicate other treatments such as:
- Extracorporeal lithotripsy: by shock waves, the stone is destroyed so that it can be removed more easily.
- Ureteroscopy is an invasive technique, but it offers better results, especially in huge stones and in challenging locations.
- Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: This is a minor surgical procedure to remove stones. It is not a widely used method.
Home remedies for grit in the kidneys
Increasing your water intake and correct eating habits is essential: the diet must be strictly composed of raw fruits and vegetables, and seeds. The causes of the imbalance must be stopped: carbonated drinks, refined sugar, salt, animal protein (meat, eggs, dairy), and gluten.
In addition, you can use natural medicine to reduce grit in the kidney:
- Horsetail is an herb that helps cleanse the kidney of impurities. An infusion should be made alone or combined with other herbs with a similar effect.
- Parsley: also consumed in herbal tea, helps kidney purification.
- Hay flowers: applied in the form of hot compresses in the painful area due to renal colic. Not only does it work through heat, but it is also a potent anti-inflammatory.
In case of doubts, a consultation with a trusted doctor is suggested.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Grit in the kidneys: symptoms and treatment, we recommend that you enter our Kidneys and urinary system category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.