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Kidney Stones: When Minerals Turn Into Painful Pebbles

Kidney stones are hard, rock-like lumps that form in the kidneys. They’re made of minerals and salts that stick together in urine. When the urine becomes too concentrated — from not drinking enough water, for example — these substances can form crystals, which grow into stones.

Anyone can get kidney stones, but they’re more common in men, people with a family history, or those who eat a high-salt or high-protein diet.

Symptoms often start when the stone moves from the kidney into the ureter (the tube to the bladder), and can include:

• Severe pain in the side or back
• Pain that moves to the lower abdomen or groin
• Blood in the urine
• Nausea and vomiting
• Urinating often or a burning feeling

Some small stones pass naturally by drinking lots of fluids and managing the pain. Larger stones may need medical treatment like:

• Medication to relax the ureter
• Shockwave therapy (lithotripsy) to break the stone
• A procedure using a small camera to remove the stone
• Rarely, surgery

To prevent kidney stones, drink plenty of water daily, limit salt, and avoid too much animal protein. If you’ve had one stone, you’re more likely to get another — so prevention is key.