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Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are small "pebbles" of salt and mineral in the urine. The most common symptom is severe pain. Most stones pass on their own, but medical procedures may be needed to remove some kidney stones.
Following the DASH diet may cut down on kidney stones, as well as improving high blood pressure, researchers report.
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What Happens
A kidney stone begins as a tiny piece of crystal in the kidney. When the urine leaves the kidney, it may carry the crystal out, or the crystal may stay in the kidney. If the crystal stays in the kidney, over time more small crystals join it and form a larger kidney stone.
Most
stones leave the kidney and travel through the
urinary tract
when they are still small enough to pass easily out of the body.
No treatment is necessary for these stones. But larger stones may become stuck
in the tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder (ureters). This can cause pain and possibly block the
urine from flowing to the bladder and out of the body. The pain often becomes
worse over 15 to 60 minutes until it is severe. The pain may ease when the
stone no longer blocks the flow of urine, and it often goes away when the stone
passes into the bladder. Medical treatment is often necessary for larger
stones.
