Does Home Remedy Help Kidney Stones?

March 28, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 46-year-old male who recently found out I have kidney stones. While researching the problem on the internet, I found a site where others with this problem could share advice and tips about ways to relieve the discomfort and get the stones to pass quickly. Of all the remedies, there was one that was repeated time and again all over the site. It recommended drinking two ounces of virgin olive oil with two ounces of freshly squeezed lemon juice, wait five minutes and follow with eight ounces of water. It said to drink this twice a day and to keep drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

I would like to know if there is any research to support the use of either olive oil or lemon juice to help pass kidney stones. [Read more...]

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November 4, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I recently went on a trip that involved traveling 1100 miles. During that time I developed a blood clot in my right leg that moved into the bottom of both lungs. Because of this I had several tests done. One was a CT scan and during this they incidentally found what appeared to be a tumor on one of my kidneys. I was given the anticoagulant Coumadin to start immediately and told to check out the kidney problem when I got home.

When I returned home I saw my physician who was concerned about my kidney at first. I asked for a referral to a specialist who ordered another CT scan. Again, it showed I had a mass on my kidney. I was told that it was under 4 cm so it was caught quite early.

My urologist doesn’t want to do anything about the kidney right now despite the fact he feels it is cancer. [Read more...]

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May 8, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I believe I have damaged my kidneys with the excessive use of Excedrin over the last 30 years. My blood urea nitrogen level was flagged on my blood test with a level of 21.

I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome several years ago and I frequently have to urinate.

I didn’t realize the use of Excedrin was so bad until recently. I have completely stopped using it but now wonder if the damage is reversible. Is there anything I can do to make my kidneys healthier?

DEAR READER:
Let me start by saying, a normal blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level ranges between 8 and 20. In my opinion, your level of 21, while technically abnormal, is insignificant. It is not abnormal enough to be diagnostic of kidney damage. This does not mean you do not have some degree of damage.

Over use of any medications can potentially lead to kidney damage because they are all processed within the kidney before being excreted in the urine. That is why most physicians urge patients to use medication only when and if needed, especially over-the-counters.

If you are still concerned, I recommend you make an appointment to speak with your primary physician who can explain the results and what they may mean. He or she may choose to order other tests, such as a kidney ultrasound, to determine if there is any damage and if so, the severity.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Kidney Disorders”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

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March 27, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
As odd as this sounds, I promise this is not a joke. When my husband sneezes, the air he expels as an odor to it. I would associate it with the smell of marigolds or musty urine. We have noticed this over the course of the last month or so.

I offer the following information in case it has any bearing (but we believe not).

He has been diagnosed with colitis but it is under fair control with diet. (He has been fairly closely following your no flour, no sugar diet.) He does not smoke anymore, having quit four years ago. He is a mild/moderate social drinker. His lymph nodes swell up on occasion but I assume that is from fighting off infection. It does not seem to have any correlation with the smell. He also has heartburn and uses antacids a few times a week. He takes vitamin C regularly but no other multi-vitamin. We cannot think of any major dietary or lifestyle changes in the last month that might cause this bizarre occurrence.

We wonder if ammonia-smelling sneezes have an obvious cause and should they be something to be concerned about? Is this something you have ever heard of before?

DEAR READER:
Ammonia-smelling breath is a well-recognized consequence of diabetes, kidney disease and liver disorders. Don’t ignore your husband’s symptom. He needs to be checked. Although the ammonia odor may simply reflect inefficient digestion that is characteristic of colitis and other intestinal disorders, I worry that a more serious situation is developing. Get him to your family physician for testing and let me know the outcome.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Living with Diabetes Mellitus” and “Kidney Disorders”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 FOR EACH report to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).

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March 14, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 73-year-old male with heart and kidney failure. I am not on dialysis. I take Lasix. I was taking three 80 mg pills every day for quite some time. One day I suddenly could not urinate. The following day, the same thing so I went to the emergency room at my local hospital where I was catheterized. The doctor then told me I did not have a blockage and that he could find nothing wrong with my blood and urine tests. He told me upon release to reduce my Lasix to one and a half pills per day. A few days later, my ankles began to swell, so my kidney doctor put me back on two pills a day.

I am still unsure about what happened. Could taking three Lasix a day have caused this?

DEAR READER:
I do not believe that the Lasix was the cause of your unpleasant experience. More likely, you had bladder dysfunction due to urinary tract muscle contraction.

I assume that your “kidney doctor” is a nephrologist. You should review your problem with him or her. I would hope that the specialist can suggest ways of over coming the spasm if it occurs again.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Bladder and Urinary Tract Infections” and “Kidney Disorders”. Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 FOR EACH report to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).

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