Condition Basics
What are kidney stones?
What causes them?
Kidney stones form when a change occurs in the normal balance of water, salts, minerals, and other things in urine. The most common cause is not drinking enough water. Some people are more likely to get kidney stones because of a medical condition, such as gout. They may also be an inherited disease.
How are they diagnosed?
Kidney stones may be diagnosed when you see your doctor or go to an emergency room with pain in your belly or side. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and examine you. You may get imaging tests, such as a CT scan or ultrasound, to look at your kidneys and urinary tract.
How are kidney stones treated?
For most stones, your doctor will recommend home care, such as pain medicine and drinking plenty of water. You may get a medicine to help the stone pass. If it is too large to pass, you may need other treatment, such as one that uses shock waves to break the stone into small pieces.
