Kidney Stones: What You Should Know
- Blessanna Basil
- May 13
- 2 min read
What are Kidney Stones ?
Kidney stones are solid masses or crystals that form from substances (like minerals, acids and salts) in your kidneys. Kidney stones are also called renal calculi or nephrolithiasis.
About 1 in 10 people will get a kidney stone during their lifetime. They are more common in men.
Causes of Kidney Stones
Kidney stones form when urine has too many crystal-forming substances, such as calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, or uric acid. At the same time, urine may lack chemicals that stop crystals from clumping
Main risk factors include:
Family or personal history: If someone in your family has had kidney stones, or if you’ve had one before, you are more likely to get them.
Not drinking enough water: Dehydration makes urine concentrated, increasing the chance of stones.
Diet: Eating too much salt, sugar, protein, or oxalate-rich foods can raise the risk.
Obesity: Extra body fat is linked to a higher risk of stones.
Digestive problems: Diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, diarrhea, or stomach surgery can affect how the body handles calcium and water.
Other conditions or medications may increase risk.
Common Symptoms
Kidney stones usually don’t cause symptoms until they move in the kidney or pass into the ureters, the tubes connecting the kidneys and bladder. If a stone gets stuck, it can block urine flow and cause the ureter to tighten or cramp, which is often painful.
Main symptoms include:
Sharp pain in the side or back, sometimes spreading to the lower abdomen and groin
Pain in waves that varies in intensity
Pain or burning while urinating
Other symptoms:
Pink, red, or brown urine; cloudy or foul-smelling urine
Frequent or small urination, nausea, vomiting, fever, or chills
Tips to Prevent Kidney Stones
The best way to prevent kidney stones is to stay well hydrated. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps keep urine dilute and reduces the chance of crystals forming. Limiting salt intake and reducing foods high in animal protein can also help, as they lower the amount of calcium and acid in the urine.
Eating a balanced diet that includes enough calcium while limiting foods very high in oxalate, such as spinach and beetroot, may further reduce the risk. In hot weather or during exercise, it is important to drink extra fluids to replace those lost through sweat.
These changes can lower kidney stone risk and support kidney health.
Sources
Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board
