ABSTRACT:
Introduction: Renal stone, in the current scenario is a very common condition. 15- 25% percent persons in India suffer from this condition once in their lives. Homoeopathy, in this condition, acts holistically, based on the patient’s individual symptoms, providing relief to the patients, hence replacing surgery as a treatment option in most of the cases.
Case Summary: This article shows a case of renal stone of 7.2mm in a 26-year old male, responded commendably with individualised medicine Lycopodium 30. USG reports as evidence are provided wherever necessary.
Keywords: Renal stones, Homoeopathy, Miasm, Urination, Pain, Lycopodium
Introduction:
Renal stones, or kidney stones or renal calculi, refer to solid aggregates that occur in the kidneys as a result of crystallization of substances within the urine. Kidney stones are mineral deposits that form in the kidneys and are a common condition in nephrology, causing significant morbidity but low mortality. The most common type is calcium oxalate, which forms on the renal papillae. Multiple factors contribute to stone formation, and individuals with kidney stones should seek medical evaluation to identify underlying causes and receive guidance on treatment.[1][3][4][5]6][8]
Epidemiology
Kidney stones are a common health issue, affecting 3-5% of people annually, with 15-25% likely to face them at some point in their lives. In India, there’s a region known as the “renal stone disease belt,” which includes states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Punjab, where kidney stones are more prevalent. After experiencing a kidney stone, the risk of recurrence is significant—14% in the first year, 35% within five years, and 52% within ten years. This highlights the importance of preventing and managing kidney stones, especially for those who have had them before.[8]
Aetiology
Kidney stones can be caused by various factors, including not staying properly hydrated, poor diet, or living in a hot climate. Certain medications, problems with the urinary system, and conditions like hyperparathyroidism are also contributors. Deficiencies in vitamins A and D, long-term infections such as kidney or bladder inflammation, and genetic factors can increase the risk of developing kidney stones.[9]
Types of renal stones
Kidney stones are created when proteins mix with both organic and inorganic crystals. Calcium is present in up to 80% of all stones, making them the most common type.
Uric acid, xanthine, and hypoxanthine stones are radio-opaque, while calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, struvite, and cystine stones are radio-opaque.[1][11]
Homoeopathic approach in Renal Stones
Homoeopathy is founded on the principle that “Like Cures Like,” or Similia Similibus Curentur. Because “Homoeopathy treats the patient as a whole and not only the disease,” the remedy in homoeopathy differs from person to person. The three illnesses mentioned in the literature—psora, syphilis, and sycosis—are thought to be the cause of all chronic illnesses. The treatment for renal stone is recommended in homoeopathy by evaluating the patient as a whole and comparing their symptoms to those that the medication causes.[10]
Important Homoeopathic Remedies for Renal Stones:[2]
1. Berberis Vulgaris: The symptoms to follow in prescribing Homeopathic medicine Berberis Vulgaris are left kidney pain extending to ureter, bladder and urethra. The pain extends down to the thighs. Pain may be accompanied by burning sensation. Another indication is green or red coloured urine with thick mucus. Motion and jerking exacerbate the kidney pain.
2. Lycopodium Clavatum: The primary symptom to signify the use of Lycopodium is a bad backache before micturition which disappears after passing urine. Patients requiring prescribing Lycopodium report distressing urgency to pass urine, frequent calls at nighttime or at retention. Urine may be full of yellow, red sediments. Sudden right-sided renal colic necessarily requires Lycopodium to act as the best among Homeopathic medicines for kidney stones. For gastric issues with plenty of wind in the stomach as well, Lycopodium tops. Too much wind in the tummy can appear alongside right kidney stones.
3. Hydrangea: Hydrangea is among the most universally known Homeopathic medicines for kidney stone, commonly referred to as “the stone breaker”. Decreases the tendency of recurrent stones. Hydrangea has established itself time and again and is among the most commonly employed Homeopathic medicines for kidney stones, particularly when white sediments are noted in profusion in the urine. Recurrent urine and blood in urine can also occur. Sharp pain in the back is also a feature.
4. Cantharis: Homeopathic remedy Cantharis gives the best possible results in kidney stone when there is intense burning on micturition as a main symptom. Kidney stone patients with severe urethral burning are the best subjects for the prescription of Cantharis. The burning micturition is felt before, during, even after passing urine. Cantharis is one of the miracle Homeopathic remedies for renal stone of either side, but is particularly effective when burning is the characteristic symptom. There is also persisting desire to urinate. But very little urine is eliminated. In some cases, the urine is eliminated drop by drop. Haematuria along with much scalding also occurs. Severe cutting tearing colicky pain in the kidney is present in such cases.
5. Pareira Brava: The most painful kidney stone with strangury (drops of painful urination) requires prescription of Homeopathic medicine Pareira Brava. Here the patient has to exert tremendous, tireless efforts to pass
urine and the effort is done with excruciating pain. The urine is passed with a lot of straining, that too in drops. The strain is so great that the patient can shriek with pain. The kidney pain extending down the thighs or even to the foot is the most prominent symptom that directs us to use Pareira Brava as the best among Homoeopathic remedies for kidney stones.
6. Ocimum Can: Ocimum Can is one of the extremely useful Homeopathic remedies for kidney stones in instances where vomiting is usually seen with the pain. Ocimum Can is effective both in left sided and right sided kidney stone pain, but can be prescribed only if vomiting is present with the pain. The passed urine may be saffron, red, purulent and very offensive.
7. Sarsaparilla: Sarsaparilla shows remarkable results in right sided kidney stones with severe burning pain while passing the last drops of urine.
8. Nux Vomica: Homeopathic medicine Nux Vomica works best in case of frequent, unsatisfactory urging for stool along with kidney stone pain.
Case Report:
A 26-year-old male, preparing for government jobs, comes with complaints of pain in the right flank region for more than 5-6 days along with burning and frequency of urination, pain in the right kidney region extending to ureter, with lower back pain, on 12 December 2024. The patient was advised for USG whole abdomen with pelvis.
According to USG on the very next day, 7.2 MM Calculi Seen in Right Pelvi-Ureteric Junction.
History of Present Illness: Initially the patient felt burning in urination for around 2-3 days followed by pain in the right kidney region extending to the ureter. The character of pain is dull, aching, intermittent.
Past History: – History of jaundice 2 years back, tendency to catch recurrent cough and cold.
Personal History: Unmarried
Habits- 2-3 cups in a day
Family History:
• Father: Diabetes Mellitus for 4-5 years
• Mother: Eczema over right lower limb for 2 years
• Younger Brother: Healthy
Physical Generals:
• Appetite- Increased
• Thirst- Thirstless 1-1.5 litre per day
• Thermal- Chilly
• Tongue- Dry, white coated
• Perspiration-Profuse offensive specially in feet
• Desire – Sweets
• Stool- Ineffectual urging, stool is hard and offensive
• Urine- Burning pain in urethra during urination, frequent urging to urinate • Sleep- Falling asleep during reading, sleepy after meal
• Dreams- Of snakes
Mental Generals:
– Patient was restless during pain
– Desire for company
– Difficulty in concentration
– Intolerance of contradiction
– Forgets words while speaking
– Feels anxious in evening
– Irritable at trifles
– Feels he is unfortunate
Predominant Miasm: Sycosis
Analysis and Evaluation of Symptoms:
1. Mental:
• Restless from pain
• Desire for company
• Difficult concentration
• Intolerance of contradiction
• Forgets words while speaking
• Feels anxious in evening
• Irritable at trifles
• Delusion unfortunate he is
2. Physicals:
• Chilly, thirstless
• Tongue dry, white coated
• Offensive perspiration of feet
• Burning in urethra while urination
• Frequent urging for urination
• Pain in right kidney extending to ureter
• Ineffectual urging for stool
• Desire for sweets
• Sleepy after meal
Repertorial Totality
Dr Fredrick Schroyen’s synthesis repertory was used to repertorise the case.
1. MIND- CONCENTRATION-difficult
2. MIND- CONTRADICTION-intolerant of contradiction 3. MIND – DELUSIONS -unfortunate, he is
4. MIND -FORGETFUL – words while speaking; of
5. MIND – RESTLESSNESS – pain; from
6. RECTUM – CONSTIPATION -ineffectual urging and straining 7. BLADDER-URINATION – urging -to urinate; frequent 8. KIDNEYS- PAIN- extending to; ureters down
9. URETHERA – URINATION- during; aggravation; burning 10.SLEEP – SLEEPINESS- eating after; aggravation
11.DREAMS – SNAKES
12.GENERALS – FOOD AND DRINKS -sweet desires 
Repertorial Analysis:
• LYCOPODIUM CLAVATUM – 27 /11 • LACHESIS MUTUS – 27/10
• SILICEA TERRA – 17/10
• BELLADONA -15/10
• SEPIA OFFICINALIS – 19/ 9
Treatment Protocol:
| Visits | Symptoms | Prescription |
| First Visit (Initial visit) 12/12/24 | Pain in right kidney region extending down to ureter, along with burning and frequency of urination and backache | Rx LYCOPODIUM 200/ SINGLE DOSE Usg whole abdomen with pelvis |
| Second visit 13 /12/24 | Same as previous | Impression – showed 7.2 MM CALCULI SEEN IN RIGHT PELVI-URETERIC JUNCTION Rx Lycopodium 200 stat Sac lac 200 bd for 15 days |
| Third visit 28/12/24 | Pain decreased; backache decreased Sleep improved Concentration power gained as compared to previous; burning and urging for urine decreased; memory improved restlessness no changed | Rx Sac lac 200 bd for 15 days Repeat usg whole abdomen |
| Fourth visit 16/1/25 | All complaints are improved as per usg report | Impression – USG NO ABNORMALITY DETECTED Sac lac200 bd for 15 days |
Conclusion:
Homoeopathy treats the person as a whole, thus following a holistic approach. In this case, LYCOPODIUM 200 was selected based on the similimum. This case also signifies the role of LYCOPODIUM which is indicated in the cases of renal stones apart from other prescribed drugs like BERBERIS VULGARIS, CAUSTICUM etc. The patient also came again in order to take treatment for his other complaints; however, he never mentioned any discomfort due to renal stone.
This also shows that renal stones can be treated with carefully selected homoeopathic medicine without any surgeries.
Patient’s Initial Report:
Patient’s Report After Treatment:
References:
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6) Sankar ASS, Goswami AD, Sugathan NV, Gopukumar ST. Homoeopathic perspective of environmental factors in stone diseases: a mini review. Ann Trop Med Public Health. 2020;23(06):170–8.
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8) Sutherland JW, Parks JH, Coe FL. Recurrence after a single renal stone in a community practice. Miner Electrolyte Metab. 1985;11(4):267-9. PMID: 4033604.
9) M. Madaminov F. Shernazarov. CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF KIDNEY STONES (UROLITHIASIS). 2022 Dec 15 [cited 2023 Sep 14]; Available from:
https://zenodo.org/record/7441802
10) Dudgeon. R.E, ‘Organon of Medicine by Samuel Hahnemann, Aude Sapere’, Translated from fifth edition, with an Appendix. 2005 11) Barnela S, Soni S, Saboo S, Bhansali A. Medical management of
renal stone. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2012;16(2):236.
Author:
Dr. Abhishek Ahirwar, MD Scholar, Department of Psychiatry, Government Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Phone no.: 6260462680, E-mail: [email protected]
Co-Author: Dr. Santosh Hande, Head of Department, Department of Psychiatry, Government Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
