Kidney Stones

  
A kidney stone is, as the name implies, a rock-like collection of substances that build up in the urinary system of the body. Many people never get them. Other get them many times during their lives. They often cause severe pain in the lower back or "flank" region. The pain can last for hours. Some women who have experienced kidney stone pain say it can be as sharp and intense as having a baby.  

Kidney stones are not generally life-threatening, though some people who get them will say, "they make you feel like you want to die."

Kidney stones can be about the size of a grain of sand, or they can be about as big as a piece of gravel.

A kidney stone of any size can trigger severe discomfort.
 

Causes

There are crystals in the urine that can be made of of a number of different minerals. In most people, these crystals are flushed out of the body during urination. But for reasons that aren't completely understood, this doesn't happen in certain individuals. The crystals separate from the urine and collect into small masses on the inner surfaces of the kidneys. For more information, click on kidney stone causes.

There are several medical terms for the process of kidney stone formation, including urolithiasis and nephrolithiasis.

Your diet may contribute to kidney stones. Click on kidney stone diet to learn more.

For more information, see kidney stone symptoms, kidney stone pain, kidney stone removal surgery and kidney stone treatment.