Definition

A kidney stone is a solid piece of material that forms in the kidney from substances in the urine.
It may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a pearl. Most kidney stones pass out of the
body without help from a doctor. But sometimes a stone will not go away. It may get stuck in
the urinary tract, block the flow of urine and cause great pain.
This pain, known as renal colic, is often described as one of the strongest pain sensations
known.
The following may be signs of kidney stones that need a doctor's help:

Extreme pain in your back or side that will not go away

Blood in your urine

Fever and chills

Vomiting

Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy

A burning feeling when you urinate

Risk factors
Dehydration from low fluid intake is a major factor in stone formation.
Kidney stones are more common in people with Crohn's disease
Calcium is one component of the most common type of human kidney stones,
calcium oxalate. People who take calcium as a dietary supplement have a
higher risk of developing kidney stones.
Excessive vitamin D supplementation may increase the risk of stone formation by increasing
the intestinal absorption of calcium
Diagnoses

The diagnosis is usually based on symptoms, physical examination, urine

testing, and medical imaging like radiographic studies. Blood tests may also be
useful.
A helical CT scan without contrast material is the most common test to detect
stones or obstruction within the urinary tract. All stones are detectable on
Helical CT scans except very rare stones composed of certain drug residues in
the urine, such as from indinavir.

Calcium-containing stones are relatively radiodense, and they can often be

detected by a traditional radiograph of the abdomen that includes the kidneys,
ureters, and bladder.
Other advantages of renal ultrasonography include its low cost and absence of
radiation exposure. Ultrasound imaging is useful for detecting stones in
situations where X-rays or CT scans are discouraged, such as in children or
pregnant women.
Treatment

Prevention
The most common cause of kidney stones is not drinking enough water. Try to
drink enough water to keep your urine clear, more than two liters per day.
Also you should Increase citric acid intake; lemon/lime juice is the richest natural source
Avoid large doses of vitamin C supplements, and Limiting consumption of cola soft drinks