Kidney Stones: What Are They and How to Prevent Them?

Category: Health Education, Education, Primary Care
Posted On: Mar 17, 2026

Kidney stones are a common and often painful condition that affects millions of people each year. Kidney stones are hard, pebble-like pieces of material that form in the kidneys when certain minerals become concentrated in the urine. These stones form when minerals such as calcium, oxalate, and uric acid stick together and crystallize. Kidney stones can vary in size, ranging from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a pea.

Many stones pass through the body unnoticed. However, when a stone moves into the ureter—the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder – it can cause severe pain. If a stone becomes large enough to block the flow of urine from the kidney, it can lead to intense pain and may potentially cause kidney damage if left untreated.

Symptoms of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones may not cause symptoms until they move within the kidney or pass into the ureter. When this happens, symptoms can include:

Severe pain in the back, side, lower abdomen, or groin
Pain that comes in waves and changes in intensity
Blood in the urine
Nausea or vomiting
Frequent or painful urination
Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
Fever or chills

The pain caused by kidney stones is often described as extremely intense.

Risk Factors for Kidney Stones

Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing kidney stones, including:

Dehydration or not drinking enough water
A diet high in salt, sugar, or animal protein
Obesity
Family history of kidney stones
Certain medical conditions such as gout or chronic diarrhea
Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Reducing your risk of kidney stones often involves simple lifestyle changes. Staying well-hydrated is one of the most important steps for preventing kidney stones and maintaining overall kidney health. Reducing sodium intake can also help lower the amount of calcium in the urine, which may decrease the risk of stone formation.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Smaller kidney stones often pass quickly with minimal symptoms. However, depending on the size and symptoms, kidney stones may be diagnosed through urine tests, blood tests, or imaging studies such as CT scans or ultrasounds.

Treatment for kidney stones depends on the size, location, and severity of symptoms. Speaking with a healthcare professional is the best way to determine the treatment option that is right for you. Smaller stones may be treated at home with increased fluid intake, pain management, and medications that help the stone pass.

In some cases, a procedure may be necessary to remove or break up the stone, particularly if it does not pass on its own, causes severe pain, or affects kidney function. One common minimally invasive treatment is shock wave lithotripsy (SWL). This procedure uses targeted shock waves to break kidney stones into smaller pieces, allowing them to pass through the urinary tract more easily over the following weeks.

Protecting Your Kidney Health

Kidney stones are common and can be painful, but many cases are preventable with proper hydration, a balanced diet, and awareness of personal risk factors. Paying attention to kidney health can help reduce the chance of recurring stones and keep your urinary system functioning properly.

While many kidney stones pass without complications, it is important to seek medical attention if symptoms become severe. Seek medical care if you experience:

Severe pain that prevents you from sitting or lying comfortably
Pain accompanied by fever or chills
Persistent nausea or vomiting
Blood in the urine