Anyone who has ever passed kidney stones can relate in excruciating detail just how painful that process can be. People suffering from this event often end up in the emergency room desperately seeking any medical relief available. If the kidney stones do not pass and the pain does not subside, a CT scan may be needed to determine the size and number of stones present. A relatively new procedure called a lithotripsy uses a tiny laser to break up the stones in a non-invasive medical procedure, but it is not recommended unless the stones are larger than 8 mm in size.
As with many other health problems, prevention is a better course of action than treatment after the disease has developed. The major cause of kidney stones is an unhealthy diet and inadequate hydration. The standard American diet that is high in sugar, sodium and animal products result in a buildup of toxins. Proper hydration could help eliminate some of these toxins that contribute to the formation of kidney stones.
Fortunately, the size and number of kidney stones can be reduced considerably through a variety of natural treatments. Switching to a healthier diet and increasing fluid intake is the first step, but it is important that specific foods and nutrients be included to not only prevent, but also dissolve or pulverize the stones.
Read more of the original article from WorldHealth.
