Black Eye – Possible Causes, Signs, Symptoms, and Home Remedies

A “black eye” is the appearance of an injury, bruise, or trauma in or around your eyes. It is mainly due to a direct injury to your face or head, which causes internal bleeding in the skin surrounding your eyes. And blood leaks in the injury affected tissues when the capillaries or small blood vessels break. That’s why the affected eye and the surrounding area start looking different than usual, mainly black colored. A black eye is not always severe but sometimes can indicate a severe injury such as a fracture to the skull. So, how to get rid of a black eye when it is not very serious?

The answer to this question may vary according to the extent of discoloration, cause, and duration since you have noticed a change in appearance. Sometimes black eye may result from a surgical procedure or a facelift. When the skull fracture is a real reason, the condition is called”Raccoon eyes,”and the blood is accumulated under the eyes.

If you notice a black eye due to a minor injury, you can opt from a wide range of home treatments available. If caused due to trauma, domestic violence, or without a specific cause, you must get immediate medical attention. Before jumping on some very effective self-treatment for black eyes due to minor injury, let’s talk about some important, relevant aspects in detail.

Causes of Black Eye

As we have discussed earlier, black is usually a result of an injury or trauma. Violence can also be a prominent cause of the black eye. Also, a strike on the face during boxing or wrestling are among the common causative factors. A sports injury may also cause a slow but progressive discoloration of the eyes.

Sometimes, minor tissue injury during dental or cosmetic surgery is also responsible for changing how your eyes look.

What would cause a black eye for no reason?

It is improbable that you may have black eyes without an injury, trauma, or a forceful hit to your head or face. However, other factors like cosmetic eye surgery and nasal surgery may also be responsible. Other possible causes are severe sinus infection, tooth infection, and some other types of dental procedures.

If you are not aware of an external or apparent cause, some severe medical conditions can also cause black eyes. They are:

  • Skull fracture
  • Hyphema:Rare bleeding between the back of the cornea and iris. It’s a medical emergency and may result in vision loss if not given proper, timely medical support.
  • Cellulitis: Infection of the tissues around your eyes.

Can a black eye be permanent?

Depending on the severity and cause(s), a black eye may take 2 to 3 weeks to get better. However, if there is some serious injury to the eye socket or other part of the skull, it may take a couple of months to heal completely.

Usually, the black eyes are due to external injury and don’t cause any permanent damage your eye or surrounding tissues. If you feel sudden change in vision after an injury or a trauma, you should not take it lightly. You might be having much more than only a simple bruise. The injury may have caused a fracture of delicate bones forming the eye socket, or the structure of the eye itself is compromised.

Also Read: Dark Circles Under Eyes – Possible Causes and How to Remove Them Naturally

What are the signs and symptoms? – Different Stages of the black eye

Signs and symptoms of the black eye may vary purely according to the cause. If a serious injury or trauma is a cause, you may notice sudden, dark discoloration of the eye and surrounding skin. In such a case, immediate medical help might be vital.

Pain, bruising, and swelling are among the most common signs and symptoms.

  1. If the extent of the injury is not very serious, you may notice mild swelling and discoloration. Then, there might be redness of the eye that may progress to get a darker shade.
  2. Later, the skin surrounding the eyes may become violet, black, green, or yellow.
  3. If not given immediate treatment, discoloration may progress with an increase in swelling.
  4. If the black eye is due to a mild injury such as a sports injury, an accident, a punch, or a collision, the impacted area improves, swelling reduces and becomes lighter within a couple of weeks.

Although, a person may experience difficulty opening the eye or blurry vision due to an increase in swelling. Serious vision problems due to minor or mild injury are not usually common.

Signs of Severe Head or Eye Injury

If the injury to the eye or surrounding area of the skull is severe, there might be some other signs, including:

  • Double vision
  • Unconsciousness
  • Sudden loss of sight
  • Improper movement of the eye
  • Oozing of blood or other abnormal fluid from the nose or the ears
  • Accumulation of blood around the eye itself
  • A continuous, throbbing headache

If you experience any of these symptoms of a black eye, you should immediately call for a medical emergency.

How is Black Eye Diagnosed?

Usually, a basic physical examination is necessary, especially if the eye gets black without severe injury or trauma. The doctor may inquire you in detail to know the reason and to understand how your eye is impacted.

  • Checking the vision, examining the eyes with a torch, looking into the pupils, testing the motion of the affected eye, and assessing facial bones’ condition are some common ways of diagnosing the black eye.
  • According to the cause and extent of the impact, your doctor may suggest some additional investigations, including:
  • Advanced examination of the eye by putting a dye in the eye and looking under a special light to know if there is an abrasion to the eyeball or check for foreign objects.
  • If the doctor finds some signs of fracture of facial bone or skull, you may have to go through an x-ray or a CT scan.
  • Your doctor may refer to an appropriate specialist, maybe an ophthalmologist or even a neurologist for correct and proper examination and follow-up care if there is something serious.

How to Get Rid of a Black Eye?

Getting rid of a black eye at home is possible, especially if the causative factor is not very serious. Proper rest and cold application are sometimes very adequate to heal the condition.

1. Ice Packs

Ice is surprisingly useful to reduce swelling as it constricts blood vessels and reduces fluid accumulation. Ice also cools the area down and lowers inflammation. If you get a mild or moderate injury, you should rush towards the refrigerator to get some ice cubes. Otherwise, a clean cloth soaked in cold water will help as well.

  • Apply ice packs for fifteen minutes every hour for the first twenty-four hours. Avoid applying ice directly on the injury.
  • A commercial ice pack or wrap of the ice cubes in a cloth is recommended to avoid possible cold injuries.

2. Warm Compresses

Warm compress is also an effective home treatment for a black eye. But you should avoid this treatment in the first couple of days after the injury. Apply warm compresses when the swelling is reduced after applying ice packs for the first two days.

To get the best results from warm compress,

  • Fold up a clean cloth and place in a large bowl with hot, but not boiling water.
  • Take the towel out and squeeze gently to remove excess water.
  • Fold in square and apply gently on black eye, keeping your ere closed for around twenty minutes.

3. Gentle Massage

Massaging the affected area gently also helps inincreasing the healing process. But like warm compresses, don’t start massaging right after the injury. Massage gives excellent results once the swelling and bruise are subsided. Avoid massage if you feel pain or inflammation in the injured area.

Must Read: Remove Gallstones Naturally – Is It Possible?

4. Calendula

Also known as marigold, calendula is also an effective treatment for a black eye. Calendula is famous for its healing prowess and the ability to reduce inflammation. If there is marked bruising or swelling, calendula becomes a primary treatment option. Here are some tips to effectively use calendula.

  • Get a handful of fresh calendula petals and put them in a cup of hot water.
  • Steep for about fifteen minutes, remove from the stove, and keep aside.
  • Then refrigerate the calendula-infused liquid for about half an hour.
  • Soak a soft, clean cloth in the liquid and massage the eye area for five to ten minutes.
  • Calendula plants are not accessible to everyone. You can look for Calendula Officinalis Mother Tincture online or at a nearby homeopathic pharmacy for similar results. It works superbly on different types of injuries and bruises.

5. Arnica

Like calendula, arnica can be immensely useful if the wound is not contused or marked darkness of skin due to blood accumulation. Arnica herb does wonders in case of an eye injury or black eye. If arnica herb is readily available, you should go for it as a primary treatment for a black eye.

Again, like calendula, finding arnica herbs is as tough as it gets. However, you can find Arnica Montana Mother Tincture or Arnica Cream online orat a homeopathic store. Arnica Mother Tincture has shown some fantastic results on bruises without bleeding.

How to heal a black eye overnight?

Healing black eye overnight doesn’t sound very practical. However, there are some very effective home remedies to heal very mild cases of a black eye. Here are some of them.

1. Potato Slices

You can get quick results by using potatoes for mild injury on or around your eye.

  • Slice a raw potato and extract the juice.
  • Soak a cotton ball in the potato juice and use it to massage impacted areas.
  • Otherwise, cover the injured area directly with sliced potato.
  • Leave the juice or potato slice over the bruise for around ten minutes.
  • Remove and wash gently with cold water.
  • You may have to repeat these tips numerous times to heal a black eye overnight.

2. Chilled Tea Bag

Child tea back can be another quick and effective treatment for the black eye. This remedy can be beneficial, especially if the injured area gets black very quickly.

  • Soak a chamomile tea, green tea, or other fresh tea bags in water.
  • Remove the teabag and place in your fridge for about half an hour.
  • Place on the injury for ten minutes.
  • Repeat every two hours to get quick relief.

How Does Toothpaste Help a Black Eye?

Those self-claimed healers talk a lot about the effectiveness of toothpaste on a black eye. However, that’s miles away from reality. There is no practical, medical, or even theoretical evidence of using toothpaste for a black eye. In fact, some ingredients in certain toothpaste may aggravate the pain, especially in case of bruised or contused injury.

So, we recommend you not to try toothpaste or something silly for your eyes. Try other home remedies we have discussed above – but only in mild cases of a black eye. Otherwise, we suggest you talk to an experienced doctor to examine and treat the black eye properly.

Final Words

A black eye is usually not very serious, and you can manage it at home with some very effective home remedies. Try these remedies if your black eye is not severe. If you have got a black eye after an accident, trauma, a severe hit due to any reason, trying to treat it at home is like calling for the trouble.

And after all, your eyes are the most vulnerable and, at the same time, very precious organs. You should not take any injury or hit to your eye lightly. If you ask us for suggestions, we would like to suggest you see a doctor even if you get a mild eye injury. What’s wrong if you get clearance and busted all the doubts from your doctor?

References:

https://www.healthline.com/health/home-remedies-for-black-eye#home-remedies

https://www.healthline.com/health/black-eye#when-to-seek-immediate-help

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/249231#causes

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/black-eye-cause

https://www.eyeassociatesofrichboro.com/is-my-black-eye-serious/#:~:text=The%20most%20usual%20cause%20of,some%20types%20of%20dental%20work.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/black-eye/#:~:text=A%20black%20eye%20is%20bruising,within%202%20to%203%20weeks.

https://www.drugs.com/health-guide/black-eye.html#:~:text=Most%20black%20eyes%20are%20superficial,more%20than%20a%20simple%20bruise.

https://www.emedicinehealth.com/black_eye/article_em.htm

https://www.medicinenet.com/black_eye/article.htm

How to Get Rid of a Black Eye as Fast as Possible

How to Get Rid of a Black Eye Faster, Overnight, Naturally With Home Remedies

https://www.firmoo.com/answer/question/11767.html#:~:text=No%2C%20there%20are%20neither%20theoretic%20nor%20practical%20evidence,the%20eye%20as%20soon%20as%20it%20is%20punched.

Remove Gallstones Naturally – Is It Possible?

The formation of hard deposits in your gall bladder result in gallstones. Depending on the stone-forming particles, they are of two types, i.e., cholesterol gallstones and pigment gallstones. As the name suggests, cholesterol gallstones are formed due to excess accumulation of cholesterol in your gall bladder. On the other hand, pigment gallstones are formed due to excess bilirubin. Usually, surgery is the go-to treatment option; it is also possible to some extent to remove gallstones naturally.

You may have intense, sharp pain in the upper right of your abdomen. Pain due to gallstone usually radiates to the back and may even go up to the shoulder blade.This article will discuss gallstones, gallstones’ causes and symptoms, and some effective home remedies for their removal. Let’s find out more.

What Ate the Causes of Gallstone Formation?

As we have said earlier, gallstones are of two types, i.e., cholesterol and pigment gallstones. It is hard to highlight one particular cause of gallstone formation. However, doctors point out various possible factors, including:

  • Bile containing excess cholesterol: Your liver keeps excreting extra cholesterol. Bile juice functions continuously to dissolve cholesterol along with other chemicals. Due to some obvious reasons, your liver starts excreting more cholesterol than your bile is capable of dissolving. Continuous and prolonged accumulation of cholesterol into the gall bladder forms very tiny crystals, which are eventually build-up to form stones.
  • Your gallbladder is not emptying correctly:Sometimes, the bile concentration increases due to improper emptying of the gallbladder and contributes to gallstones’ formation.
  • Bile containing excess bilirubin: Bilirubin is a chemical produced duringthe breakdown of red blood cells. Certain medical conditions like biliary tract infection, blood disorders, liver cirrhosis, etc., force your liver to overproduce bilirubin. An excess of bilirubin eventually forms gallstones.

Complications of Gallstones

Depending on the duration of formation, type, and size of stones, a patient may have the following complications.

  • Inflammation of the Gallbladder: Inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis) is mostly noticed when the gallstone gets stuck in the gallbladder’s neck. The patient may get severe abdominal pain and fever in such a case.
  • The blockage of pancreatic ductwhich is a tube-like structure that connects the pancreas to the common bile duct and continues to the duodenum. Especially if not detected early, gallstones may block the pancreatic duct and show signs like light-colored stools, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, sudden weight loss, etc.
  • Blockage of the common bile duct: Gallstones may also block ducts through which bile flows from the gallbladder or liver to the small intestine. You may have symptoms like jaundice, bile duct infection, and severe abdominal pain, etc.
  • Gallstone Cancer: Although rare, gallstones can potentially be responsible for gallbladder cancer. Gallstone cancer is mainly noticed when gallstones are not detected early or are ignored for months.

Can you dissolve gallstone?

Small-sized gallstones (less than 5 mm) are possible to dissolve with prescribed medications such as Ursodiol. Ursodiol is also effective for preventing the formation of gallstones in the future.

Besides, homeopathic treatment is surprisingly useful to dissolve gallstones of up to 5 mm. Some homeopathic medicines like Berberis Vulgaris, China, Carduus Marianus, Chamomilla, Chionanthus, Lycopodium, Veratrum Album, etc., can be helpful if you want to remove gallstones without surgery.

Note: These medicines are only for information purposes. We strongly suggest you not to take any of these medicines until and unless a qualified homeopathic practitioner prescribes them.

How to Dissolve Gallstones Naturally?

These days, medical science has reached a completely different height. And fortunately, treatment for so many different problems and complications is not only easily available but also affordable. We always suggest you get in touch with a qualified medical practitioner for correct analysis, examination, diagnosis, and treatment.

The effectiveness of these natural ways of dissolving gallstones is not backed by medical science. However, they are very popular natural alternatives to modern medical methods. Again, talking to your doctor before starting any of the following remedies is advised. If you are having moderate to severe complications of gallstone, you may require immediate medical attention. Let’s have a look at some very useful, safer alternative natural ways to dissolve gallstones.

Also Read: Pimple In Ear – Potential Causes, Treatment, Prevention and Much More

1. Gallstone Cleanse

We have already discussed some significant reasons for gallstone formation, like secretion of excess bile, excess bilirubin in your body, improper emptying of the gallbladder, etc.

Many people with a better idea of traditional remedies claim that a gallbladder cleanse can help break down the gallstones and empty gallbladder. However, we are still away from scientific backing. Still, some people prefer using a combination of herbs, olive oil, and juice for a few days.

During that period of gallstone cleanse, you are not supposed to consume anything but the oil mixture. We don’t have a standard recipe or mixture as yet, and this can be risky for people with lifestyle disorders like low blood sugar and diabetes, etc.

One study was performed to analyze the role of sunflower oil and olive oil on gallstones; researchers successfully found olive oil’s role in proper bile consumption. However, there wasn’t enough evidence of a noticeable effect on gallstones.

Don’t attempt the gallbladder cleanse without talking to your doctor. It might not be a safe option for everyone.

2. Apple Juice

Apple juice

Apple juice is considered an effective home remedy for gall bladder stones. People believe that apple juice may dissolve the gallstones and help you pass out through urine due to its acidic nature. The claim about apple juice being a treatment for gallstones was circulated after a 1999 letter with details about an anecdotal woman having successfully passed the gallstones with apple juice. However, medical experts don’t support this theory.

Regular fruit juice consumption may not be suitable for you if you have hypoglycemia, diabetes, stomach ulcers, or other chronic conditions.

3. Dandelion

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health adverts dandelion as a traditional home remedy for gall bladder stone. Some old-time recordings back dandelion as a treatment for various liver, gallbladder, and bile duct problems. Believers of ancient medicine claim that the bitter roots of dandelion may stimulate the production of bile.

People used to consume dandelion coffees and teas to remove gallstones. However, we don’t have enough scientific support to say whether it’s beneficial or not. Hence, you should ask your doctor before consuming dandelion, especially if you are down with gallstones, other gallbladder problems, or kidney problems.

4. Milk Thistle

milk

There are plenty of records of medical usage of milk thistle for detoxifying the liver. It has been in use for centuries. While it may help improve gallbladder complications, we don’t have enough scientific backing for its benefits on gallstones.

You can have milk thistle in different forms, including tablet, capsule, or a tonic. If you have conditions like ragweed allergy, diabetes, or a history of hormone-sensitive cancers, you should not consume milk thistle without talking to your doctor.

5. Yoga

If we go with some claims, yoga is another effective way to remove gallstones naturally. A study articulates that yoga can improve the overall lipid profile, especially in people with diabetes. In a separate study, researchers worked with a group of people with cholesterol gallstones and found that most of them had abnormal lipid profiles.

However, they didn’t find conclusive evidence of a connection between abnormal lipid profiles and gallstones. Yes, yoga can improve various symptoms related to gallstones, but we can’t say it a dependable treatment for gallstones.

6. Artichoke

Artichoke extracts may have some effects on the stimulation of bile production and the liver and gallbladder’s function. However, there is no medical proof of artichoke calling as a home remedy for gall bladder stones.

Artichokes can be used in a lot of different ways for cooking and consumption purposes. The research mainly focuses on the effects of supplements containing artichoke extracts, which are perhaps more potent than the natural extracts.

Like all other home remedies, you should talk to a doctor before using artichoke for gallstones as well.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar for Gallstones – Is it a good option?

apple cider vinegar

Many people profess that apple cider vinegar can dissolve gallstones. But that’s far, very far from the truth. Yes, it’s a popular health supplement used for various reasons, but no scientific records are backing ACV as a treatment for gallstones. Let’s understand why ACV can’t breakdown stones in your gallbladder.

Many people believe that ingesting ACV can dissolve gallstones. And if you put some gallstones in a petri dish and add apple cider vinegar, you may notice them dissolving after a while. Why? Simply because apple cider vinegar is acidic!

However, can you somehow expose the stones inside a gallbladder directly to apple cider vinegar? That’s quite impossible. Why? First, you will have to consume some amount of ACV. By the time it will clear all the hurdles from your digestive system, it will breakdown into different chemical components and won’t remain as acidic as it was! And it’s doubtful that ACV can affect the stones, at least when they are still inside.

So, don’t be in any confusion whatsoever, and avoid consuming apple cider vinegar in the hope that it will quickly dissolve gallstones.

Can You Prevent Gallstones Formation?

Many people think that their body requires help from outside to detoxify and flush itself properly, but that’s not true at all! Your body is capable enough to function correctly enough – but you need to provide a healthy, balanced diet combined with plenty of physical workouts.

Flushing or cleansing your gallbladder, or even your clone is not even close to logic and certainly lacks scientific merit. Instead, you can ensure the prevention of gallstones by following a healthy lifestyle that should include:

  • Adding more fiber to your diet: Doctors give so much importance to a fiber-rich diet. Dietary fiber keeps your gut healthy and clean. It increases the size and weight of your stools and makes them easy to pass. Also, fiber can reduce the production of bile acids and bile cholesterol levels. Hence, we suggest you add more fibers to your diet by eating more vegetables, beans, whole grains, fruits, etc.
  • Consuming healthy fats: Gallstones are likely to form when your gallbladder doesn’t empty well enough. Healthy fats like fish oil and olive oil can stimulate the gallbladder’s contraction and ensure regular emptying. A diet with healthy fat can keep your gallbladder healthy without relying on a potentially risky “flush.”
  • Engaging in enough physical activities: Physical activities can also play a key role in gallstone prevention. Thirty minutes of moderate exercise five times a week is usually enough to maintain healthy body weight and keep cholesterol levels checked.
  • Reducing sugar intake: Avoiding overconsumption of sugar, especially refined ones, can also go a long way.

Can I eat eggs with gallstones?

Eggs are affordable and are an excellent source of protein. You can easily prepare a dozen different recipes with eggs. But can you consume them when you have gallstones? Potentially, egg yolks are high in cholesterol, and an elevated cholesterol level must be the last thing you would want!

An elevated blood-cholesterol level can cause various gallbladder problems, including inflammation and gallstones. However, you can consume egg whites in limited quantities, but only if you can follow a healthy and active lifestyle themed with a healthy diet, physical activities, mindfulness, weight management, etc.

Final Words

“Home remedy for gall bladder stone” is more a hypothetical concept than a proven or scientific one. In a modern era, where medical science is touching new heights every day, you should avoid such theories.

We recommend you get in touch with a qualified doctor for proper medical assistance. You will get a better idea of the condition of your gallbladder. Your doctor will tell you if medical treatment can be helpful to dissolve the gallstones. Otherwise, doctors usually suggest for surgery, known as cholecystectomy for gallbladder removal. You can survive even without a gallbladder with minimal side effects. Hopefully, you don’t have to face such situations.

References:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321026#when-to-see-a-doctor

https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-get-rid-of-gallstones#prevention

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19803550/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gallstones/symptoms-causes/syc-20354214

https://www.healthline.com/health/bile-duct-obstruction

https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/qa/can-you-treat-gallstones-without-surgery

https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/what-to-do-about-gallstones#:~:text=If%20you%20can’t%20or,to%20four%20times%20a%20day.

https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-get-rid-of-gallstones#:~:text=Some%20people%20claim%20that%20a,for%20two%20or%20more%20days.

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a699047.html#:~:text=Ursodiol%20is%20used%20to%20dissolve,are%20losing%20weight%20very%20quickly.

https://www.ijrh.org/article.asp?issn=0974-7168;year=2020;volume=14;issue=1;spage=57;epage=63;aulast=Sahoo#:~:text=There%20are%20several%20medicines%20in,Lycopodium%2C%20Veratrum%20album%2C%20etc.

https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/gallbladder-removal-surgery/can-apple-cider-vinegar-help-gallstones

https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/eggs-bother-gall-bladder-7268.html

Home Remedies for Kidney Stone – Is It Really Possible to Remove Kidney Stones “Naturally”?

Kidney stones are common but can be very painful and comfortable. If you feel pain in the lower right or left of your back, there are chances that you may have one or more stones in your kidney. There are various factors responsible for the formation of stones in one or both kidneys. They are unhealthy diet, obesity, lack of physical exercise, and dehydration, etc. How to remove 8mm kidney stone naturally? Well, that’s an interesting question! Because stone of anything more than 6 mm can be very hard to remove without proper treatment!

But there are a few claims about the “natural removal” of kidney stones with 8 mm diameter. Is that really possible? If not, what are other successful treatments? How is kidney stone pain different from the general type of abdominal or back pain? What changes should you make to your lifestyle to prevent kidney stones? How can your life get affected? We will try to answer all these questions and more in this article. Let’s find out

How do I know if it’s kidney pain?

Abdominal or lower back pain can be due to loads of known as well as unknown causes. Sometimes, you may feel pain right at the “kidney region” due to excessive bowel gas! But pain due to kidney stones is a bit different.

Kidney stone pain is characterized by constant, dull, and very aching, deep pain at the right or left flank (depends on the affected kidney). If both kidneys have stones, you may feel interchanging or constant pain on both sides. But usually, one kidney is affected with stone at a time. So, it’s less likely to feel the pain on both sides of the flank. Pain due to kidney stone gets worse on touch. Even the slightest of touch can make the patient go mad due to pain.

Other Kidney Stone Pain Symptoms:

If you have some other accompanying symptoms with flank pain, you should know that you may have stones in your kidney without hitting the panic button. Some common accompanying symptoms of kidney pain are:

  • Frequent urination
  • Blood in urine
  • Constant nausea and vomiting
  • Intermittent fever with chills
  • Flank pain radiating to the groin region
  • Burning pain while passing urine
  • Urinary tract infection

If you feel flank pain on either side with one or more of these kidney stone pain symptoms, you should not take a chance and go for proper investigation and treatment.

What Are the Causes of Formation of Kidney Stones?

Finding one definite, single cause for kidney stones is hard. But some factors increase the probability of stone formation in your kidneys.

Kidney stones are formed due to excessive crystal-formation substances in your urine. They can be calcium, oxalate, and uric acid. Calcium or uric acid in urine is not uncommon, but when the quantity is more than the fluid in urine, the chances of stones formation are higher. At the same time, there may be a lack of crystal preventing substances in your urine that can cause kidney stones formation.

Different Types of Kidney Stones

Depending on the crystal-forming substances, there are different types of kidney stones, such as:

  • Calcium Stones: Kidney stones are mostly formed from calcium in the form of calcium oxalate. Your body either gets oxalates from your liver or the diet. Various fruits, veggies, chocolate, and nuts are prime sources of oxalate. Dietary factors like excessive intake of vitamin D and several metabolic disorders may increase calcium stones formation risk.
  • Uric Acid Stones: Increased uric acid is a common phenomenon in people with malabsorption and chronic diarrhea and those who get high protein in their diets. People with diabetes and metabolic syndrome are also at risk of developing kidney stones from excessive uric acid.
  • Struvite Stones: One of the less common types of kidney stones is usually seen in urinary tract infection. These stones are pretty larger and grow quicker than other types.
  • Cystine Stones: People having hereditary disorders like cystinuria are prone to cystine stones.
What Are the Home Remedies for Kidney Stone Pain?

Treating kidney stone pain at home is not the smartest idea, as it needs proper treatment under medical assistance. However, you can reduce the severity of pain with some home remedies for kidney pain.

Dehydration is one of the major causes of kidney pain, and staying hydrated is the most common advice you will get from doctors. The following are some home remedies to increase the chances of passing out kidney stones along with conventional treatment.

NOTE: Staying hydrated is the most important aspect of easing kidney pain.

1. Drink A Lot of Water:

Increasing your water intake is a must if you want to give your body even a little chance to pass out the stones. Instead of the standard recommendation of 8 glasses of water per day, drink 10 to 12 glasses.

2. Add Lemon Juice to Your Diet

Freshly squeezed lemon juice is not only a great mood lifter, but it is also packed with plenty of other health benefits as well. Lemon is a very good source of citrate and can prevent calcium stones from used regularly. Citrate can also break up small calcium stones to pass them through urine.

Lemon juice is more effective when it comes to the prevention of kidney stones. And you need a lot of them to somehow dissolve and pass through urine. Yes, lemon juice can dissolve kidney stones of up to 2 mm, especially if used regularly for a couple of months. But you can’t dissolve kidney stone fast with the only lemon if they are more than 4 mm in diameter.

3. Use Basil Juice

Acetic acid is one of the main components of basil juice and can help ease kidney stones pain. It’s packed with various nutrients. Basil juice is also a good natural remedy for inflammatory and digestive troubles.

Basil juice can keep your kidneys healthy due to its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents.

You can use fresh and dried leaves to prepare a cup of basil juice and drink twice a day. Juicing fresh basil leaves or adding it to a smoothie is also a good option.

Here are words of caution, though:

Using medicinal basil juice for more than straight six weeks can be a bit harmful, as it can cause

  • Low blood pressure
  • Low blood sugar
  • And increased bleeding

Also Read: How Long Do Canker Sores Last?

4. Is apple cider vinegar good for kidney pain?

Yes, you can use apple cider vinegar for kidney stones. ACV can flush out small-sized kidney stones. And improves other symptoms too. Let’s find out how ACV is good for kidney pain.

  • Softens and dissolves stones: ACV contains acetic acid and can break down the small-sized stones within a few weeks. In addition to breaking them down, ACV can also soften them and reduce their size to make them movable with the urine.
  • ACV cleanses your body: ACV prevents the formation of kidney stones by removing the toxins out of your body.
  • Breaks down the stone forming tissues: ACV also contains phosphoric and citric acid and can significantly break down the hard tissues responsible for forming kidney stones.
  • Improves Digestion: Alkaline properties of ACV help in the digestion process and trigger hydrochloric acid production.

In short, you can use apple cider vinegar in the initial stages of kidney stones pain. But relying on ACV in the case of large-sized stones is not recommended. Seek proper medical advice if you don’t notice any improvement. Here is how you can use apple cider vinegar for kidney pain.

  • Add two tbsp apple cider vinegar to one glass purified water.
  • Drink the mixture throughout the day.
  • Don’t consume ACV mixture more than 8-ounce.

5. Celery Juice:

Celery juice can also ease kidney stones pain and improve other symptoms of kidney stones pain by removing the toxins contributing to kidney stones’ formation.

Blend a few stalks of celery with water, and drink the juice numerous times a day.

Avoid this drink if you are using:

  • Lithium (Lithane)
  • Levothyroxine (Synthroid)
  • Medications that increase your sensitivity to the sun, like isotretinoin (Sotret)
  • Sedative medications like alprazolam (Xanax)

And you should also avoid using celery if you are having:

  • Bleeding disorder
  • A scheduled surgery
  • Low blood pressure

How can I ease kidney pain?

Kidney stone pain can be very severe and can make you feel uncomfortable very quickly. Proper diagnosis, investigations, and treatment are still very important. But if you suffer from sudden aching pain while recovering during treatment, you can ease the pain by:

  • Staying hydrated: Drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day is very important to ease the pain. Avoid taking alcohol or coffee until you overcome the infection.
  • Applying heat: When you feel pain, place a heating pad on a painful area to get quick relief.
  • Using painkillers: For severe pain, you may have to use painkillers like acetaminophen (Tylenol), Ibuprofen, etc.

How long can kidney pain last?

Depending on the stones’ size and severity, you may frequently suffer from pain if the kidney stone is more than 5 mm. However, kidney stones of 2 to 3 mm don’t cause chronic or severe pain. Frequency and duration of pain depend on various factors, including lifestyle, diet, treatment, etc.

Will kidney pain go away?

Again, the size of kidney stones matters a lot when passing out on their own. Kidney stones with smaller sizes get out faster without causing a lot of pain.

Here are approximate timelines for different sizes of kidney stones:

  • Around 80% of stones with less than 4 mm diameters are passed through urine in about one month.
  • Approx. 60% of kidney stones with a 4 to 6 mm diameter take 45 days to pass without surgery.
  • Only 20% of stones of more than 6 mm diameter can pass on their own in about one year. However, when the stones are larger than 6 mm, immediate surgical removal is the best option.

How to sleep with kidney pain?

Sleeping posture can also play a key role in easing kidney stone pain. The pain usually gets worse if you sleep in one position for so long. Sleeping in one position is not advised, especially if you suffer from recurrent kidney stones formation. Simple behavioral adjustments, including frequent sleep position changes, can reduce the severity of pain to a decent extent.

Homeopathic Treatment for Kidney Stones Pain

Some homeopathic medicines are very, very effective in reducing kidney stones pain. And can even dissolve the stones of up to 6 mm without causing any additional complication. Some prominent homeopathic medicines for kidney stones are:

  • Lycopodium: One of the most effective medicines for right-sided kidney stones. Pains usually aggravate between 4 pm to 8 pm, and there is red sedimentation in the urine.
  • Cantharis:  A very effective remedy for kidney stones pain, especially when accompanied by a constant urge to urinate.
  • Pareira Brava: One of the chief medicines for almost all types of urinary problems. Works superbly on chronic kidney stones with urine retention is characterized by great straining in thighs while urinating.
  • Berberis Vulgaris: An excellent medicine prescribed fora wide range of renal and kidney health problems. It helps improving kidney dysfunction due to chronic kidney stones and eases all other symptoms as well.

Advice: Homeopathic medicines are mighty effective in cases of kidney stones and other related problems. But you should not have them until and unless prescribed by a licensed homeopathic practitioner.

How to remove 8mm kidney stone naturally? This is the question we started this article with. And the conclusion is very clear: it is almost impossible to remove an 8mm kidney stone without proper treatment, and usually, a surgical procedure is required. We suggest you not to waste precious time in your quest to treat kidney stones at home. Small-sized stones are easily removed by the combination of some home remedies and conventional treatment.

Stay hydrated, eat healthily, do some physical activities, keep track of what you eat, avoid alcohol and smoking. Medical infrastructure around the world has developed a lot that kidney stone is no longer a very serious complication until you are very ignorant about it.

References:

https://www.healthline.com/health/kidney-health/home-remedies-for-kidney-stones#celery-juice

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-stones/symptoms-causes/syc-20355755#:~:text=Kidney%20stones%20form%20when%20your,for%20kidney%20stones%20to%20form.

https://www.healthline.com/health/what-does-kidney-pain-feel-like#What-causes-kidney-pain?

https://www.maxhealthcare.in/blogs/urology/apple-cider-vinegar-effective-dissolving-kidney-stones

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-infection/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353393

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326775#how-to-speed-up-the-process

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1174745/