Kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining overall health by filtering waste products from the blood, balancing body fluids, regulating blood pressure, and producing essential hormones. Kidney damage or failure can lead to severe health complications. Early detection is critical, and understanding the warning signs can help in seeking timely medical intervention. Here are five body parts where pain or discomfort might indicate underlying kidney issues.

 

1. Lower Back Pain: 

Lower back pain is one of the most common and noticeable symptoms of kidney problems. The pain is typically located on either side of the spine, just below the rib cage, where the kidneys are situated. 

Causes: 

1. Kidney Stones: Hard mineral deposits that form in the kidneys can cause severe pain as they move through the urinary tract.

2. Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis): An infection in the kidneys can cause inflammation and pain in the lower back.

3. Polycystic Kidney Disease: A genetic disorder that leads to the growth of numerous cysts in the kidneys, causing pain and discomfort.

 

2. Abdominal Pain: 

Pain in the abdomen, particularly in the area around the kidneys, can be an early sign of kidney damage. This pain might be dull and persistent or sharp and acute. 

Causes: 

1. Kidney Stones: As the stones pass through the ureters, they can cause intense pain in the abdominal area.

2. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Severe UTIs that spread to the kidneys can cause abdominal pain and discomfort.

3. Obstruction: Blockages in the urinary tract, such as tumors or strictures, can lead to abdominal pain.

 

3. Groin and Pelvic Pain: 

Pain radiating to the groin or pelvic area can indicate a problem with the kidneys or urinary tract. This pain might come in waves and vary in intensity. 

Causes: 

1. Kidney Stones: The movement of stones through the urinary tract can cause sharp, shooting pain that radiates to the groin.

2. Hydronephrosis: Swelling of a kidney due to a build-up of urine can cause pain in the groin and pelvic area.

 

4. Pain During Urination: 

Experiencing pain or discomfort during urination is a significant symptom that should not be ignored. This can be a burning sensation, pressure, or sharp pain. 

Causes: 

1. Infections: Both UTIs and kidney infections can cause painful urination.

2. Stones: Kidney stones can cause pain as they pass through the urinary tract and irritate the lining.

3. Obstructions: Any blockage in the urinary tract can lead to painful urination.

 

5. Flank Pain: 

Flank pain is felt on the sides of the body, between the lower ribs and the hips. This pain can range from mild to severe and is often a sign of kidney distress. 

Causes: 

1. Kidney Infections: Infections can cause significant inflammation and pain in the flank area.

2. Kidney Stones: As stones move, they can cause sharp, cramping pain in the flanks.

3. Cysts or Tumors: The presence of cysts or tumors in the kidneys can lead to persistent flank pain.

 

Additional Symptoms of Kidney Failure 

Alongside pain in these areas, other symptoms can indicate kidney failure: 

1. Swelling (Edema): Fluid retention in the legs, ankles, feet, or face.

2. Fatigue: Persistent tiredness due to the kidneys' inability to filter waste effectively.

3. Nausea and Vomiting: Digestive disturbances as waste builds up in the body.

4. Changes in Urination: Frequency, color, and volume of urination can all change, including foamy or bloody urine.

5. High Blood Pressure: Poor kidney function can contribute to elevated blood pressure levels.

 

Importance of Early Detection and Check-Ups 

Medical Evaluation: 

If you experience pain in any of these areas or notice other symptoms of kidney problems, it is crucial to seek medical evaluation promptly. Early detection and treatment can slow the progression of kidney damage and prevent kidney failure.

 

Diagnostic Tests: 

1. Blood Tests: Measure levels of waste products like creatinine and urea in the blood.

2. Urine Tests: Detect abnormalities such as protein, blood, or bacteria in the urine.

3. Imaging Tests: Ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI can provide detailed images of the kidneys to identify stones, cysts, or tumors.

4. Biopsy: In some cases, a small sample of kidney tissue may be taken for analysis.

 

Bottom line: 

Kidney damage can manifest through pain in various parts of the body, including the lower back, abdomen, groin, pelvic area, and flanks. Recognizing these symptoms and seeking timely medical evaluation can help prevent severe complications. Regular check-ups and monitoring of kidney function are essential for maintaining overall health and well-being. If you experience any of these warning signs, it is important to get a check-up done fast to ensure early diagnosis and effective management of potential kidney issues.

                                          GOOGLE AD

Who doesn’t love corn? We all do. All of us have seen the golden corn with and without its green covering. When we were kids most of us also have played with the hair like strands found under the green covering. Those strands are called corn silk. And after playing they eventually were thrown into dustbin. We never thought that they can be of any use else than using it as wig for playing. But now I am going to tell you some shocking uses of these corn silk strands which will make u wonder why you always threw them away.

The golden strands of corn are of a lot more value than you know. These corn silk strands have been used by native Americas as an herb for treating many aliments since a very long time. Actually very long time - 5000 B.C. to be precise. Studies show that corn silk is very rich in anti-oxidants which are responsible for fighting various diseases. It also contains polyphenols including Sitosterol and Stigmasterol, many vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin K, C and potassium as well.

How to make corn silk tea?

1.  Choose quality, dried or fresh corn silk from homegrown or organic corn.

2.  Boil 2 glasses of water on a pan, and then pour 1-2 handfuls of dried or fresh corn silk (chopped) with or without 3-4 mint leaves.

3.  Cover and let this steep for around 15 minutes or until its cool enough to drink. Then strain.

4.  You can add some honey to improve the taste.

4.  For best results, drink 2-3 cups a day.

Here are top 10 amazing benefits of corn silk and corn silk tea:

1. Fights Obesity

Obesity is a major health threat affecting a large numbers of populations nowadays. Toxin accumulation and excess water retention is one of the main reasons for obesity. Corn silk helps remove excess water, waste and toxins from the body, thus it helps reduce excess fat in the body. Consume corn silk tea 2-3 times a day to fight obesity. 

Read all Easy natural home remedies for Weight loss here

2. Prevents kidney stones & Urinary tract infections

Kidney stone is a very painful condition where small crystallized despotizes are formed inside our kidneys. These crystals may cause a lot of pain in the lower belly region. This can occur if you drink less amount of water. The corn silk has been used since the ancient time to prevent kidney stones from happening. So how does the corn silk help in preventing this? Well, it improves the urine flow and reduces the chances of sediment formation in our kidney, which eventually leads to formation of stones. Though the corn silk does not help in treatment of kidney stones already present in your body, but it only prevents it from happening.

                                          GOOGLE AD

3. Assist in blood clotting

Whenever we get a deep cut we usually put ice or turmeric on it. But now I'll tell you one more trick which is more effective than putting ice or turmeric on the cut. Corn silk can help in clotting the blood. As told earlier, the corn silk is abundantly rich in Vitamin K which further helps in the process of blood clotting. Vitamin K makes sure that no excessive blood is flown from your body when you get an injury.

4. Controls blood sugar

A study in 2009, published in Nutrition and Metabolism journal showed that corn silk extract aids the generation of insulin in human body. A more recent study in 2012, which was published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules showed that corn silk polysaccharides helped in reducing blood sugar levels.

Read all Blood related home remedies here like Diabetes, BP, Cholesterol

5. Control cholesterol

Cholesterol is very bad for your health. If it is present in our bloodstream it may become a catalyst to various diseases including cardiovascular problems. To avoid such condition it is very necessary to keep the cholesterol level low in your body. A study which was carried out in Jilin University of China showed that corn silk consumption reduced the blood cholesterol levels in animals under experiment.

NEXT PART 2

GOOGLE AD

There are several solutions to get rid of kidney stones such as surgery, natural home remedies, homeopathy etc.. In many cases kidney stones do not have to treat with medical surgery, but in several cases, medical surgery is essential. Treat kidney stones without delay, otherwise it can lead to kidney swelling and will cause intense pain and vomiting, as it blocks the urine. The development of kidney stone can occur in several part of the urinary region, but generally formed in two parts that is kidney and renal Calyx. Kidney stones may be formed from calcium, phosphate and uric acid.

Symptoms of kidney stones

A kidney stone generally remains symptomless until it moves into the ureter. When signs & symptoms of kidney stone become visible, they commonly include:

Severe pain in the groin and/or side

Vomiting and nausea

Blood in urine

Reduced amount of excreted urine excreted

White blood cells or pus in the urine

Burning sensation during urination

Fever and chills if there is an infection

Persistent urge to urinate

The following are some simple natural remedies that may help soothe the discomfort of kidney stones and speed up the body’s natural healing process.

1. Kidney Beans

Kidney beans are very effective and trusted to cure all kinds of kidney and bladder troubles, kidney stone is not exception, kidney beans have some compounds that prevents kidney stones. Kidney beans are really beneficial for kidney health.

1.  Take 200 gm kidney bean pods and simply remove the all beans from the pods, cut these pods and boil them in 4-5 glass of water. Boil the kidney bean pods on slow flame for few minutes until the pods become tender, soft and spongy. It will take 40-50 minutes. Allow the water to normal temperature and then strain the water properly. 

Drink this water throughout the day – ½ glass in the morning on empty stomach, ½ glass before the lunch, ½ glass in the evening and ½ glass before or after dinner.

You can add pinch of rock salt in each half glass to improve the taste of it. Follow this remedy everyday for 2 weeks and get rid of kidney and bladder problems like kidney stone naturally.

Tip: Do not drink this water after 24 hours because it may lose its therapeutic qualities. Make new liquid everyday for better result.

2.  Add kidney beans in your regular diet; add kidney beans in your tomato, chicken or any other soup. You can also add boiled kidney beans in your salad or add them in vegetables and curry. Try it; these beans are quite tasty and healthy too.

2. Basil/Tulsi

Basil/Tulsi stimulates stone removal from the urinary tract in few weeks.

1.  Take 8-10 fresh green basil/tulsi leaves, crush them and make paste of it. Add 1 tablespoon of honey in this paste and consume on an empty stomach in the morning. Consume this mixture 3-4 times a day – in the morning on an empty stomach, after lunch, in the evening on an empty stomach, after dinner. Make fresh paste every time. Do this for 3-4 weeks to remove kidney stones naturally.

2.  Add 1 tablespoon of fresh basil/tulsi paste in your regular/herbal tea, also use honey instead of sugar.

3. Coconut water

Coconut water is also very beneficial for those who suffering from kidney stone problem. Consumption of fresh coconut water flushes the kidney stone through urine. Drink glass of fresh coconut water in the morning on an empty stomach, 40 minutes before lunch, on an empty stomach in the evening and 30-40 minutes before dinner. You have to drink at least 4-5 glass of fresh coconut water daily to get rid of kidney stone.

4. Lemon & Olive oil

Lemon Contains citric acid and this acidic property of lemon break down and dilute the calcium based kidney stones and prevent the additional growth of stones in kidney. Drinking lemon fresh juice increases the volume of urination, thus it helps flushing out the kidney stone from urine tract. Lemon increases the citrate level in the urine.

Mix 2 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice with glass of clean warm water, also add 1 tablespoon of olive oil/extra virgin olive oil in it, mix them well and consume this mixture on an empty stomach in the morning and before going to bed.

5. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar gives alkalizing effects in kidney stone problem. The acidic property of apple cider vinegar dissolves the kidney stones and pushes it out through the ureter.

1.  Mix 2 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in glass of warm water and drink on an empty stomach in the morning. Follow this 3 times a day for fast relief; it also reduces the pain cause by kidney stone.

2.  Add 2 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, mix them in glass of warm water and consume on an empty stomach in the morning. Follow this 2-3 times a day 30-40 minutes before lunch or dinner.

6. Cranberry juice

Consumption of cranberry juice is very beneficial in kidney stone symptoms. It dilutes the stone and helps flushing them out through urine; it also eliminates the other impurities within the kidney. Cranberry juice prevents the further formation of stones in the kidney.

Drink glass of fresh cranberry juice every day for few weeks to dilute and prevention of kidney stones.

7. Water

Drink lots of water. Water helps to flush the kidney stone out through urine and it prevents formation of calcium crystals in the urine.

GOOGLE AD