Section 6
Urinary

KIDNEY PROBLEMS

PROBLEMS AND CAUSES—In addition to other conditions mentioned in this section on the kidneys, there are less known diseases which can be just as serious. These include:

Renal tubular acidosis: The kidneys fail to reabsorb bicarbonate properly, resulting in inadequate ammonia production and acid excretion. This leads to a severe lack of fluid and potassium in the body, and an excess of acidity. The bones can become deranged.

Hydronephrosis: The kidneys and bladder become filled with urine, due to obstruction of the flow.

Glomerulonephritis: This is an inflammation of the tiny kidney filtering units, sometimes resulting from a bacterial infection in the body.

Uremia: A toxic waste buildup in the blood, due to kidney malfunction.

In all of these conditions, a basic need is to cleanse the kidneys, increase urine flow, and restore proper function.

TREATMENT—

• Eat 75% raw foods, including garlic, parsley, potatoes, celery, cucumbers, and bananas. Green vegetables are especially important.

• Stop eating meat. An excess of protein is part of your problem; and meat also has a variety of waste products, plus bacteria, purines, and uric acid.

• Avoid dairy products, except yogurt. Do not eat chocolate or cocoa.

• Drink 6-8 ounces of distilled water every hour.

• Watermelon and pumpkin seeds seem to help the kidneys, although the reason is not known.

• Corn-silk tea is the best single herb for increasing urine flow and restoring the kidneys. Watermelon-seed tea and celery and parsley seeds are also diuretic in function.

• Cranberries help acidify the urine, destroy bacteria, and restore the bladder.

• Do not eat much potassium or phosphorous. For this reason, avoid beet greens, spinach, rhubarb, and Swiss chard.

• Lead, other metals, the pain relieving drugs (Advil, Nuprin, etc.), and infectious diseases (scarlet fever, measles, etc.) can damage the kidneys. Spirulina is known to reduce kidney poisoning that is caused by mercury and drugs.

ENCOURAGEMENT—Only to those who receive Christ as their Saviour is given the power to become sons and daughters of God. The sinner cannot, by any power of his own, rid himself of sin. But Christ can give the needed strength to come off victor in the battle with Satan.

KIDNEY STONES—1 (Nephrocalcinosis)

SYMPTOMS—Intermittent, dull, dragging pain radiating from the upper back to the lower abdomen, usually increased by motion.

There is bleeding and renal colic (strong kidney pain) when the stone enters the ureters. These sharp pains may last hours or days. There is increased urination with pus and blood, pallor, nausea, and vomiting. Sometimes there are fever and chills.

When you have bloody urine and sharp pain in the bladder or kidneys, it is very likely kidney stones.

CAUSES—Kidney stones (also called bladder stones or cystic calculi) are an abnormal accumulations of mineral salts. They form in the kidneys and, during passage down the ureters, may lodge in them or in the bladder. The stones are primarily composed of calcium oxalate; but urates, phosphates, and cystine may also be present.

Oddly enough, a key factor in the production of kidney stones is a calcium and/or magnesium deficiency. The minerals in the stones come from your own bones!

Refined carbohydrates, especially sugar, prompts kidney stone formation. The sugar increases in the pancreas and excretes additional insulin, which in turn causes the kidneys to discharge more calcium in the urine.

Calcium is needed by the body. If not enough calcium is in the diet, the parathyroids will signal the body to extract calcium from the bones in order to keep the blood calcium level at normal levels.

A vitamin B₆ and magnesium deficiency may also cause stone formation. A Swedish research group found that taking both daily stopped stone formation in 90% of their patients. Magnesium, like calcium, can bond with the oxalate. B₆ (10 mg a day) lowers the amount of oxalate in the urine.

In response to lowered blood calcium levels, the parathyroids trigger the body to draw it out of the bones.

It is vital that you obtain a balanced diet of vitamins and minerals every day.

Partial causes of kidney stone formation can include dehydration (not drinking enough water), infections, prolonged periods of rest in bed, and only rarely taking vitamin D and calcium.

Too much food, including acid-forming foods—especially meat, along with white-flour products, sugar foods, tea, coffee, spices, and vinegar—all help produce an excess of waste in the kidneys. Eventually it accumulates into gravel and stones.

TREATMENT—

• It is vital that you increase the amount of water you drink! Kidney health is keyed to an adequate fluid level in the blood. Only use distilled water.

• Used in conjunction with more fluid intake, corn-silk tea increases urine output, a very necessary factor in purifying and detoxifying the kidneys.

• Watermelon provides additional water. Eat it alone and often, but do not eat it with other foods during meals.

• A lack of vitamin A can lead to stone formation. It helps protect the lining of the urinary tract.

• A more acid urine prevents and dissolves kidney stones. Drink cranberry juice frequently. (One writer says that Ocean Spray brand is only 30% cranberry juice, plus sugar, etc.) All other fruit juices become alkaline in the system. Do not put vinegar into the body.

• Eat potassium broth. This is made from thick potato peelings. Cook it with carrots, garlic, and celery. Simmer for 30-40 minutes, then strain and drink the liquid. Excess can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days.

• Oxalate, a key chemical in kidney stone formation, occurs naturally in various green vegetables; some more than others. Rhubarb has the highest oxalic acid content of anything eaten by man. Also do not eat spinach, chard, or beet tops. About 60% of all stones are calcium oxalate in nature.

• Drink watermelon-seed tea; steep in hot water for 15 minutes, strain, add a little honey and drink.

• There may be an excess of purines. Stop eating meat. Meat-based proteins are a causal factor in producing kidney stones. Do not overeat on other proteins.

• Do not use soft drinks, caffeine, chocolate, cocoa, pepper, nuts, poppy seeds, or black tea.

• Reduce salt intake.

• A strict macrobiotic diet (lots of grains and little fruits and vegetables) tends to concentrate the urine and may cause stones. But this is not a primary cause of them.

• Take licorice, to reduce swelling of the ureters, so the stone can pass. Calcium and magnesium are crucial to stop the calcium loss from the bones. Eat less meat to get your calcium/phosphorous ratio in order (meat is full of phosphorous).

• The following herbs are helpful: dandelion, rupturewort, and madder.

• To dissolve kidney stones, drink hot water and lemon juice. Follow with olive oil. For the complete formula for this, see "Gallstones."

—Also see "Kidney Stones—2," "Renal Colic," and "Kidney Problems."

ENCOURAGEMENT—Christ, after having redeemed man from the condemnation of the law, could impart divine power to unite with human effort—in keeping that law.

KIDNEY STONES—2 (Lithemia; Uric-Acid Diathesis) (J.H. Kellogg, M.D., Formulas)

GENERAL DIET AND LIVING—A spare aseptic diet, especially avoiding beef tea, animal broths, meat, and also tea, coffee, and cocoa. Use fruits freely. In extreme cases, eat fruit diet for a few days. Out-of-door life; abundant exercise; dry, cool climate; daily cold bathing.

INCREASE OXIDATION OF PROTEIN WASTES—Hot Full Bath, prolonged sufficiently to elevate body temperature 2⁰-4⁰F.; Sweating Wet Sheet Pack; Dry Pack; Steam Bath. Radiant Heat Bath or Hot Full Bath, followed by Dry Pack. Follow all hot baths by a short, cold application adapted to his condition: Cold Mitten Friction, Cold Towel Rub, Wet Sheet Rub, Dripping Sheet, Shallow Bath. Follow bath by prolonged moderate exercise, massage, and Inhalation of oxygen.

ENCOURAGE ELIMINATION OF TISSUE WASTES—In addition to the above, water drinking; free use of fruit juices and distilled water; Hot Abdominal Pack day and night; cool Colonic daily, if bowels are sluggish.

INCREASE ALKALINITY OF BLOOD—Exercise, cold baths, cold air bath, sweating baths, and fruit diet.

SWOLLEN AND PAINFUL JOINTS—Fomentation 2-4 times daily, Heating Compress during intervals between, well-protected with plastic covering and cotton (or flannel) covering.

PAINFUL JOINTS, NOT SWOLLEN—Revulsive Compress 3 times a day, followed by deep massage of limb above the joint and light circular friction of the joint; during intervals between, Dry Pack or cotton poultice to the joint.

STIFF AND ENLARGED JOINTS—Alternate Douche (jet or spray) or the Alternate Compress, followed by thorough massage of the joint with passive joint movements, applied twice daily and protected with Heating Compress during intervals between.

GENERAL METHOD—Diminish the production of uric acid by regulation of diet and elimination of meat products; increase the destruction of uric acid by exercise, Prolonged Hot Full Baths, followed by short cold applications; increase elimination of uric acid by copious water drinking.

- If any of the following related problems exist, check on them under their respective headings: Headache and Migraine, Neurasthenia, Neuralgia, Insomnia, Muscular pains, Gallstones, Renal colic, Irritable prostate, Arteriosclerosis, Bright's Disease.

—Also see Kidney" Stones—1."

RENAL COLIC (Kidney Pain Attack) (J.H. Kellogg, M.D., Formulas)

DURING ATTACK—Rest in bed; diet of fruit; buttermilk; hot water drinking; Hot Enema, repeat every 2 hours; Hot Full Bath with cold to head and over heart, if bath is greatly prolonged; Hot Trunk Pack renewed hourly; Revulsive Sitz Bath; Cold Compress over heart, if it is weak or much excited.

TO PREVENT ATTACKS—Combat lithemia.

VOMITING—Ice pills, ice to throat.

URINARY SUPPRESSION—Hot Blanket Pack followed by Dry sweating Pack.

—Also see "Kidney Stones—1 and Kidney Stones—2."

NEPHRITIS—1 (Kidney Infection)

SYMPTOMS—There may be no symptoms or they may include blood and/or albumin in the urine and lower back, abdominal pain, even chills, fatigue, edema, nausea and vomiting, frequent urge to urinate, and loss of appetite. Severe cases may include anemia and high blood pressure.

CAUSES—This is inflammation of one or both kidneys. Thousands of tiny cells in the kidneys filter fluids out of the blood in order to purify it. But the filter can become plugged with toxins and mucous. When these tiny cells become swollen and inflamed, infection soon follows.

This infection can be acute or chronic, and may require hospitalization.

Constipation causes a toxic matter to be reabsorbed by the blood. This clogs the kidneys.

Overuse of aspirin and other pain killers weaken the kidneys; beer can cause their failure. Environmental toxins, such as heavy metals, add to the damage. Anti-hypertensive drugs are used to reduce blood circulation, and therefore injure the kidneys.

Kidney infection can also be caused by bacterial infection in the bladder (cystitis, which see) which has traveled up the ureters to the kidneys.

TREATMENT—

• Drink plenty of pure water. Avoid coffee, alcohol, and artificial drinks.

• Drinking unsweetened cranberry juice and apple juice helps reduce bacterial growth in the kidneys.

• Carrot, celery, and parsley juice is also helpful.

• Eat nourishing food, and avoid processed and junk food.

• Include enough vitamins C, A, and B complex in the diet. Potassium deficiencies can encourage kidney problems.

• Go on a 3-day cleansing water-and-juice fast. Take enemas and rest. Keep the fluid level high.

• Helpful herbs include garlic, echinacea, burdock, red clover, and goldenseal. Also of value: juniper berries, parsley, and watermelon-seed tea. Buchu tea and marshmallow tea are most helpful.

• Used in conjunction with more fluid intake, corn-silk tea has been used for hundreds of years to increase urine output, a very necessary factor in purifying and detoxifying the kidneys.

- Also see "Cystitis" (infection of the bladder). The two are closely associated in health and in sickness. Also see "Bright's Disease," which is a variant form of nephritis.

—Also see "Nephritis—2."

ENCOURAGEMENT—The love of Jesus is an active principle, uniting heart with heart in bonds of Christian fellowship. Everyone who enters heaven will, on earth, have been perfected in love.

NEPHRITIS—2 (Kidney Infection) (J.H. Kellogg, M.D., Formulas)

KIDNEY INFECTION (ACUTE) —

RELIEVE CONGESTION OF KlDNEYS—Congest the skin by means of the Hot Trunk Pack, Hot Blanket Pack, or Hot Full Bath continued to perspiration, followed by Friction, avoiding deep massage procedures. Rubbing until vigorous perspiration is induced. Maintain active cutaneous circulation; Fomentation to loins for 30 minutes every 3-4 hours; Heating Compress over lower back during the interval between.

ENCOURAGE KIDNEY ACTIVITY—Ice Bag over lower third of sternum, Hot Enema, hot water drinking, Prolonged Neutral Bath.

ENCOURAGE ELIMINATION OF TOXINS—Hot or Cold Enema twice daily, Prolonged Hot Blanket Pack, Sweating Wet Sheet Pack, Radiant Heat Bath, Steam Bath, copious water drinking.

NAUSEA—Hot and Cold Compress over stomach, Ice Bag over stomach, and sipping very hot water.

DIET—Fruit juice, fruit purees, and buttermilk.

CARDIAC WEAKNESS—Ice Bag over heart for 15 minutes, every 2 hours; Cold Mitten Friction; cold Towel Rub, 2-3 times daily.

CONTRAINDICATIONS—Avoid prolonged general cold applications, Cold Douche, and Cold Pail Pour.

GENERAL METHOD—Absolute rest in bed; maintaining a warm and active skin, even to the extent of perspiration; an aseptic, liquid dietary, to encourage free diuresis; copious water drinking.

KIDNEY INFECTION (CHRONIC) —

GENERAL—Aseptic dietary, especially avoiding meats and condiments, and buttermilk diet or exclusive fruit diet during acute attack. Strictly avoid tea, coffee, tobacco, and alcoholic liquors.

MAINTAIN ACTIVITY OF THE SKIN—by warm woolen clothing, Friction given dry and applied daily; Cold Mitten Friction, followed by dry friction; oil rubbing; carefully graduated cold applications (Tonic Frictions); Radiant Heat Bath, followed by cold Towel Rub; A sweating bath twice a week at bedtime, followed by Cold Mitten Friction.

ACUTE EXACERBATION—Apply treatment recommended for Bright's Disease, Acute.

DROPSY—Short Radiant Heat Bath, followed by Cold Mitten Friction or Cold Towel Rub and water drinking, 1-2 pints twice daily.

CONTRAINDICATIONS—Avoid Cold Full Baths; prolonged Cold Douche, frequently repeated, or prolonged Hot Baths.

GENERAL METHOD—The essential features are a carefully regulated regimen adapted to his condition. This would include warm clothing; avoidance of chill; frequent Neutral Baths; very gentle tonic measures; copious water drinking; perfect digestion and bowel action; an aseptic dietary; out-of-door life; avoidance of exposure to cold and excesses of every description, especially sexual and dietetic excesses.

—Also see "Nephritis—1."

BRIGHT'S DISEASE

SYMPTOMS—Fever, chills, urgency and frequency of urination, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. The urine is cloudy from pus, and often bloody. Pain may be intense and sudden in the lower back, just above the waist, and running down the groin. An excessive amount of blood protein in the urine is a marked symptom of Bright's disease. It is usually accompanied by hypertension and edema, which is retention of water in the tissues.

CAUSES—Bright's disease involves a chronic inflammation of the kidneys (nephritis; which see), but it is unique in the following respect: The kidneys cannot properly excrete salt and other wastes. The result is that salt and various wastes are stored by the blood in tissues throughout the body. This produces tissue swellings, edema, and high blood pressure. Blood and protein are also in the urine in excessive amounts.

Gradually the blood itself becomes contaminated with these waste produces, and uremia (uremic poisoning) is the result.

Consuming alcohol, tea, coffee, and spices are excellent ways to ruin your kidneys. Do not use aluminum cooking ware.

TREATMENT—

• See your physician.

• Take a high enema and a daily hot half-hour tub bath. Give 2-3 cups of pleurisy tea or sage tea while in the tub. Finish with a short cold shower or cold towel rub. Do not let him chill. Wrap him up well, put him in bed, and give him more pleurisy tea or sage tea to encourage perspiration. Fomentations over the lower back and the entire length of the spine will help alleviate pain. Do this also over the stomach, liver, and spleen.

• For other natural remedies which can help control urinary tract infection, see under "Nephritis" and "Cystitis."

ENCOURAGEMENT—You do not know how much good you can do by always wearing a cheerful, sunny face and watching for opportunities to help others. You may not always be appreciated, but God understands, and your work will be rewarded.