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Breaking the Stone: A Guide to Preventing and Treating Kidney Stones

Kidney stones, also known as renal calculi, nephrolithiasis, or urolithiasis, are solid formations composed of minerals and salts that develop within the kidneys. These stones can be formed by the accumulation of four different minerals: calcium, uric acid, struvite, and cystine (1). Kidney stones are a common condition worldwide, and they can affect people of all ages and genders. It is estimated that kidney stones affect approximately 1 in 10 people at some point in their lives (2). In the United States, about 11 percent of men and 6 percent of women develop kidney stones annually (3).

One of the most common indicators of kidney stones is the presence of blood in the urine, known as hematuria. Moreover, patients often experience pain in the abdomen or lower back, which can vary in intensity and may radiate to other areas. The pain typically occurs when the stones pass through the urinary tract, causing irritation and inflammation. Apart from these primary symptoms, kidney stones can also lead to secondary symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. (4)

Prevention plays a pivotal role in reducing the likelihood of kidney stone formation. Prevention is based on your risk factors and the levels of minerals in your urine, but drinking plenty of water, exercising regularly, and eating a low-salt diet are all ways to keep your kidneys healthy.

When it comes to treating kidney stones, there are several approaches available that specifically depend on the size and location of the stone. The choice of treatment is determined by various factors, including the size of the stone, its location within the urinary tract, and the symptoms it is causing.

Higher dietary potassium intake would decrease urinary excretion of calcium, thus potentially protecting against stone formation. Potassium citrate can also be used to help dissolve and prevent uric acid kidney stones. Urinary alkalization, achieved through the administration of potassium citrate and potassium bicarbonate, has proven to be a highly effective treatment. This approach is well-tolerated and yields remarkable results, particularly in the dissolution of non-obstructing uric acid stones. (5)

CEDEM AG Switzerland proudly introduces Peral Sachets, an innovative formula that contains potassium salts (Potassium Citrate and Potassium Bicarbonate). (6) This Swiss-quality product helps to prevent the occurrence of gout and kidney stones as well as relieve painful and burning urination. Potassium citrate and other potassium-containing citrate salts reduce kidney stone recurrence by 75% in patients with calcium-containing stones. That’s why Peral is the best supplement can be used for prevention as well as improving the symptoms of kidney stones.

 

 

References:

  1. Khan SR, Pearle MS, Robertson WG, Gambaro G, Canales BK, Doizi S, Traxer O, Tiselius HG. Kidney stones. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016 Feb 25;2:16008. doi: 10.1038/nrdp.2016.8. PMID: 27188687; PMCID: PMC5685519.
  2. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kidneystones
  3. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
  4. Nagendra V, Dhande R, Mishra G, Reddy NG, Gowda H. Hematuria as a Sign of Kidney Stone Disease Evaluated Using Computed Tomography: A Review. Cureus. 2023 Apr 24;15(4):e38064. doi: 10.7759/cureus.38064. PMID: 37252589; PMCID: PMC10212727.
  5. Krieger NS, Asplin JR, Frick KK, Granja I, Culbertson CD, Ng A, Grynpas MD, Bushinsky DA. Effect of Potassium Citrate on Calcium Phosphate Stones in a Model of Hypercalciuria. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2015 Dec;26(12):3001-8. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2014121223. Epub 2015 Apr 8. PMID: 25855777; PMCID: PMC4657843.
  6. CEDEM AG Product: https://cedemag.com/products/peral-2/
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