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Kidney stones Symptoms and Causes

Reviewed by medical experts · For informational purposes only

Kidney stones Symptoms and Causes

Introductory summary

Kidney stones correlate with the Ayurvedic condition Mutrashmari where aggravated Vata dosha dries up Kapha and urine in the bladder forming a hard concretion. This process resembles wind drying up moisture resulting in severe colic. Clinical features include excruciating pain radiating from the navel to the genitals, obstructed urination, and hematuria. Ayurveda classifies stones into four types based on the dominant bio-energy or cause including Vataja, Pittaja, Kaphaja, and Shukraja. Management focuses on dissolving the stone using alkaline preparations like Yavakshara and specific herbal decoctions such as Varunadi Kwatha. Dietary inclusion of Kulattha or horse gram is essential for breaking down the mass. Therapies like Avagaha Sweda or sitz baths relieve pain while surgical extraction is advised if medicinal treatment fails.

Kidney Stones

Kidney Stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts forming inside the kidneys or urinary tract. In Ayurveda, this condition is known as Mutrashmari (or simply Ashmari) and is considered one of the “Eight Great Diseases” (Mahagada) due to severe pain. It arises when Vata, often in combination with Kapha, vitiates the urine, causing it to dry and solidify.

1. Definition

Modern Definition:
Kidney stones (renal calculi or nephrolithiasis) are solid concretions formed from minerals in the urine.

Ayurvedic Definition:
Ashmari is a disease where a hard stone forms in the urinary bladder (Basti). It occurs when Vata dosha dries up Kapha, similar to Gorochana.

2. Etymology & Conceptual Meaning

  • Ashma: Stone.
  • Ari: Enemy.
  • Ashmari: Stone-like enemy causing pain.

Ayurveda analogizes stone formation to how wind dries moisture: Vata dries urine and semen mixed with Pitta and Kapha, leading to solidification.

3. Causes (Nidana)

Dietary Causes

  • Apathyas (Unwholesome foods): Aggravates Vata and Kapha.
  • Adhyashana: Eating before the previous meal is digested.

Lifestyle Causes

  • Samshodhana negligence: Lack of Panchakarma and internal cleansing.
  • Suppression of natural urges (urination) concentrates urine.

Physiological Factors

  • Children: Smaller bladder openings, underdeveloped muscles — more prone to stones.

4. Pathogenesis (Samprapti)

Process: Vata dries Kapha/Pitta in the bladder → crystallization → stone formation.

5. Symptoms (Lakshana)

  • Purvarupa (Prodromal): Adhmana (Distension), severe bladder pain, Bastigandha (Urine odor).
  • Cardinal Symptoms:
    • Excruciating pain in navel, bladder, perineum, penis. (Renal colic)
    • Obstructed urine flow
    • Sarudhiram (Hematuria)

6. Types (Bheda)

  1. Vataja Ashmari: Rough, thorny, intense pain.
  2. Pittaja Ashmari: Reddish, burning sensation.
  3. Kaphaja Ashmari: White, heavy, pricking pain.
  4. Shukraja Ashmari: Seminal stones causing difficulty urinating.

Modern correlation: Vataja → calcium oxalate, Pittaja → uric acid, Kaphaja → phosphate stones.

7. Diagnosis

  • Ayurveda: Observation (Darshana), questioning (Prashna), urine analysis.
  • Modern: Ultrasound, CT scans, urinalysis, blood tests.

8. Management

Ayurvedic Approach:
Bhedana (Breaking), Patana (Expelling), Shamana (Pacifying).

Diet

Medicines

  • Varunadi Kwatha (Varuna bark decoction)
  • Pashanabheda Ghrita
  • Kshara (Alkalis), e.g., Yavakshara
  • Gokshura

Panchakarma

9. Prognosis

  • Curable (Sadhya): Newly formed stones or gravel (Sarkara).
  • Difficult (Asadhya/Krichra): Large, chronic stones.
  • Surgical: Shastrakriya (Surgery) if treatment fails.

10. Modern Correlation

• Similarities:

    ◦ Pain: The Ayurvedic description of colicky pain radiating to the genitals matches renal colic.

    ◦ Types: Vataja stones (rough/thorny) resemble Calcium Oxalate stones; Kaphaja stones (white/smooth) resemble Phosphate/Struvite stones; Pittaja (reddish) resemble Uric Acid stones.

    ◦ Prostate Stones: Shukraja Ashmari correlates with prostatic calculi or stones formed due to seminal stasis.

• Differences: Ayurveda emphasizes the metabolic role of "Agni" and "Vata" in drying fluids, whereas modern medicine focuses on chemical supersaturation of urine.

11. References

12. FAQ Section

Q: Can Ayurvedic medicine dissolve kidney stones?

A: Yes, for certain types and sizes. Medicines like Varunadi Kwatha and Pashanabheda are specifically designed to break down (Bhedana) and dissolve stones.

Q: Is Horse Gram (Kulattha) good for kidney stones?

A: Yes. Chakradatta specifically mentions the use of Kulattha (Horse gram) soup and ghee processed with it for treating stones. It acts as a diuretic and stone-breaker.

Q: Why are children prone to stones according to Ayurveda?

A: Madhava Nidana states that children have small bladder openings and underdeveloped muscles, making it easier for stones to obstruct the flow. However, it also notes that stones in children are often easier to extract.

Q: What is the best Panchakarma treatment for stones?

A: Avagaha Sweda (Sitz bath) is highly recommended to relieve the intense pain. Basti (enema) is also used to clear Vata dosha which is responsible for the drying process that forms the stone.

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