Homeopathy as a saviour for urolithiasis: A narrative review shading light on pathophysiology of renal stones and homeopathy drugs

Abstract

Kidney stone disease is a crystal concretion formed generally within the kidneys. It is an accumulative urological disorder of human health, affecting about 12% of the world population. Higher risk of kidney failure which has been associated with end stage renal failure. Calcium oxalate, which forms at Randall's plaque on the renal papillary surfaces, is the most common type of kidney stone. Stone formation is highly prevalent, with rates of up to 14.8% and increasing, and a recurrence rate of up to 50% within the first 5 years of the initial stone incident. The formation of the stone is a complex process which results from numerous physiochemical events such as, super saturation, nucleation, growth, aggregation, and retention of urinary stone constituents within tubular cells. Several therapies are being performed for kidney stone treatment, including thiazide diuretics, allopurinol, painkillers, dietary changes, shock-wave treatment, ureterenooscopic and percutaneous nephrolithotomy, and ureterenooscopic and percutaneous nephrolithotomy in severe cases. However, the side effects that these treatments possess and reoccurrence of the disease have motivated researchers to search for better and safer options. Homeopathic drugs as well as several medicinal plants display antiurolithiatic activity and thus perform an important role in treatment of kidney stone disease. Therefore, the present review thereby wants to bring to the attention the wonderful results that homeopathy is offering in cases of urolithiasis in a very non-invasive and economical way which is not yet popularized.