Remedies For Renal Colic

Pain – a characteristic symptom of renal colic – is often associated with hematuria (blood in the urine) , fever , hypotension , intense sweating , nausea and vomiting .

What to do

• Water shot : very effective remedy to promote the spontaneous elimination of gravel and smaller kidney stones, facilitating the resolution of renal colic; however, it is contraindicated in the case of large stones
• Drinking plenty of fluids (2-3 l/day) is an effective remedy against stone-dependent renal colic. By drinking a lot of water , the substances present in the urine are widely diluted; consequently, the chances of the mineral salts precipitating and forming agglomerates (stones, therefore colic) are lower
• Prefer low mineral content or minimally mineralized waters (to limit the intake of calcium and sodium )
• Undertake pharmacological treatment from the very first symptoms to prevent the pain from becoming unbearable
• Adequate rest
• Perfect your diet
• Take yogurt with live lactic ferments or a probiotic if antibiotics are administered
• Decrease stress . Although obvious, reducing daily tension is a good remedy for relieving the pain resulting from colic
• Recurrent renal colic requires specific diagnostic tests. A single episode of renal colic should not cause excessive alarm (although medical consultation is always recommended)
• Immersing yourself in a tub of very hot (almost boiling) water is an effective remedy for relieving spastic contraction of smooth muscles . Let us briefly remember that heat has a vasodilatory effect; by doing so, spastic pain is alleviated

What NOT to do

• Drink alcohol
• Warm baths in case of renal colic associated with blood in the urine . In similar situations, heat promotes bleeding
• Procrastination: when renal colic is suspected, it is recommended to contact your doctor immediately to start any specific treatment as soon as possible
• Drink little water
• Drink water rich in mineral salts
• Drink carbonated drinks
• Eating too many protein -rich foods
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Megadoses of vitamin C. An immoderate intake of vitamin C can increase the concentration of oxalates in the urine, therefore promoting the formation of kidney stones. Vitamin C must be taken in the right doses.

What to eat

• Colic caused by kidney stones cannot be resolved by adopting a specific diet alone. However, consuming some foods rather than others can significantly improve symptoms or prevent recurrent renal colic:
  • Eat lots of fruit and vegetables , as they are rich in antioxidants (vitamin C and E).
  • Take fruit rich in vitamin C. Ascorbic acid – taken in considered quantities – is a useful food remedy for inhibiting the formation of kidney stones. Do not abuse vitamin C: an excess of vitamin C favors the opposite effect.
  • Urinary alkalizing foods : potassium citrate and magnesium citrate
  • Milk and dairy products (in moderation)
  • Whole foods and fiber
  • Lemon juice : effective food remedy as it contains 5-7% citric acid . Don’t abuse.
  • Onion , celery , artichoke , nettle and parsley

What NOT to Eat

• Coffee , tea, fruit juices and other foods rich in oxalates (to be avoided especially in case of renal colic associated with calcium oxalate stones )
• Meat (limit consumption) and foods rich in the amino acid methionine
• Anchovies , herring , sardines , crustaceans , offal (in case of colic dependent on uric acid stones )
• Beets , chard , spinach , and parsley (source of oxalates)
• Too salty foods (take max. 6-8 g of salt/day)
• Cocoa ( food rich in oxalates)
• Sweets (limit consumption)
• Excess vitamin C (abuse of this vitamin favors the formation of renal colic dependent on stones)
• In general, the diet to prevent kidney stones and colic must be adapted to the type of stones to which the patient is subject. The adoption of some dietary remedies may therefore prove appropriate in some cases and contraindicated in others. To clarify your ideas, we recommend reading the article: diet and kidney stones . Consult your doctor.

Natural cures and remedies

To speed up healing, it is recommended to take herbal teas formulated with active ingredients extracted from these plants:

• Alchechengio ( Physalis alkekengi L.) → mainly diuretic , purifying and laxative properties . Due to its therapeutic potential, physalis is widely used as a natural remedy for renal colic caused by uric acid stones.
• Birch ( Betula alba L.) → diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties
• Goldenrod ( Solidago virgaurea ) → diuretic, astringent and anti-inflammatory properties of the urinary tract
• Butcher’s broom ( Ruscus aculeatus ) → used in phytotherapy in the treatment of renal colic for its diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties
• Thorny resterfly ( Ononis spinosa ) → diuretic and spasmolytic properties on the smooth muscles of the urinary tract

Pharmacological treatments

• NSAIDs ( non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ):
  • Ketorolac tromethamine (e.g. Toradol )
  • Paracetamol or acetaminophen (e.g. Tachipirina , Buscopan compositum ), pharmacological remedy particularly indicated in case of renal colic associated with fever
  • Diclofenac (e.g. Fastum, Dicloreum )
• Antispasmodic drugs : excellent remedy to calm muscle spasms generated by renal colic and relax the genitourinary muscles:
  • Colic antispasmin consists of belladonna and papaverine hydrochloride
• Antiemetic drugs : indicated to relieve vomiting and nausea associated with renal colic
  • Scopolamine butyl bromide (e.g. Addofix )
• Antibiotics: indicated when renal colic depends on bacterial infections

Prevention

• Drinking lots of water (even three liters a day) is a good remedy to prevent renal colic in patients predisposed to kidney stones .
• Taking herbal teas with a diuretic action is an effective remedy for preventing renal colic caused by stones
• Perform physical exercise constantly
• Follow a healthy and balanced diet , limiting the consumption of foods rich in oxalates

Medical treatments

When renal colic is caused by the presence of excessively large kidney stones, the only conceivable remedy is surgical removal:

• Extracorporeal lithotripsy : allows the crushing of the stone responsible for colic by means of a shock wave beam that breaks on the surface of the stone
• Intracorporeal lithotripsy : involves the elimination of the stone through a minimally invasive endoscopic surgery
• Urethrorenoscopy: a small probe inserted transurethrally breaks up the stone with ultrasound or laser
• Percutaneous renal lythrotixia : the stone responsible for renal colic is crushed. The fragments are extracted using an instrument inserted through a micro-hole made in the patient’s side
• Open surgery: extreme remedy to treat renal colic caused by severe stones