Kidney Stones

A kidney stone is a solid mass made up of tiny crystals. One or more stones 

can be in the kidney or ureter at the same time.

A kidney stone may or may not cause signs and symptoms until it has

moved into the ureter — the tube connecting the kidney and bladder. 

• At that point, these signs and symptoms may occur: Severe pain in 
  the side and back, below the ribs Pain that spreads to the lower abdomen. 

 

 

Causes

Kidney stones often have no definite, single cause. A number of factors, 

often in combination, create the conditions in which susceptible people 

develop kidney stones. Kidney stones form when the components of urine —

 fluid and various minerals and acids — are out of balance. When this 

happens, your urine contains more crystal.

 

Prevention

Lifestyle changes You may reduce your risk of kidney stones if you: Drink water 

• throughout the day. Drink more water throughout the day. For people with a
  history of kidney stones, doctors usually recommend passing about 2.6 quarts 
  (2.5 liters) of urine a day. 

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