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What is a kidney stone? -

Kidney stones are solid masses or crystals that form from substances, such as minerals, acids, and salt, in your kidneys. 

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Sizes -

They can be as small as a grain of sand or, in rare cases, larger than a golf ball. The bigger they are, the more difficult they are to pass. 

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Symptoms -

The most common symptom of kidney stones is a dull or sharp pain in your lower back, belly, or side. It might feel like it extends from your groin to your side. Other kidney stone symptoms include nausea, vomiting, pain when urinating, blood in the urine, and fever. 

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Causes -

Common causes include drinking too little water, too much or too little exercise, obesity, weight loss surgery, or eating food with too much salt or sugar. Infections and family history can also be a cause. 

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Fructose -

Found in sugar and in high fructose corn syrup, eating too much fructose correlates with an increased risk of developing a kidney stone. 

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Types of kidney stones -

There are four main types of kidney stones; calcium oxalate, uric acid, struvite, and cystine. Knowing the type of kidney stone you have may provide clues about how to reduce your risk of getting more in the future. 

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Calcium oxalate -

This is the most common type of kidney stone. It's created when calcium combines with oxalate in the urine. They can form when you eat high-oxalate or low-calcium foods and aren't drinking enough fluids.

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Uric acid -

Another common type of kidney stone, it's often caused by eating animal proteins like beef, poultry, pork, eggs, and fish.

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Struvite -

Struvite stones are less common and are caused by infections in the upper urinary tract.

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Cystine -

A condition called cystinuria causes cystine stones. These are rare and usually run in families. 

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Diagnosis -

Diagnosis of kidney stones requires a complete health history assessment and a physical exam. Healthcare providers use imaging, blood, and urine tests to diagnose kidney stones.

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Consequences -

Kidney stones increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease.

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If you have it once, you might have it again -

Those who have developed one stone are at an approximately 50% higher risk of developing another one within five to seven years.

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How kidney stones are treated -

Treatment is tailored according to the type of stone. Urine can be strained and stones collected for evaluation.

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Medication -

If you have a kidney stone that can pass on its own and isn't causing infection, a provider may prescribe you medication to help manage the unpleasant symptoms, and to help relax your ureter so the stone can pass. 

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Lithotripsy -

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is a therapy that uses sound waves to break up large stones so they can more easily pass down the ureters into your bladder.

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Tunel surgery (percutaneous nephrolithotomy) -

A surgeon removes the stones through a small incision in your back. This procedure is necessary when the stone is too big to pass and the pain can't be managed. 

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Ureteroscopy -

When a stone is stuck in the ureter or bladder, your doctor may use a ureteroscope to remove it. A small wire with a camera attached is inserted into the urethra and passed into the bladder. The doctor then uses a small cage to remove the stone.

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Can kidney stones go away on their own? -

Around 80% of kidney stones pass on their own. The amount of time it takes for you to pass a kidney stone depends on its size and location.

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Kidney stone prevention -

Making small adjustments to your current diet may go a long way toward preventing kidney stones.

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Drink water - This is the best way to prevent kidney stones. If you don't drink enough, your urine output will be low, which means your urine is more concentrated and less likely to dissolve urine salts that cause stones.

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Eat more calcium-rich foods -

The most common type of kidney stone is the calcium oxalate stone, leading many people to believe they should avoid eating calcium. In fact, the opposite is true. Low-fat milk, low-fat cheese, and low-fat yogurt are all good calcium-rich food options.

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Eat less sodium -

A high-salt diet increases your risk of calcium kidney stones. To reduce your sodium intake, read food labels carefully and cut down on processed foods.

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Eat fewer oxalate-rich foods -

Limiting oxalate-rich foods may help prevent the stones from forming. Some oxalate-rich foods include spinach, chocolate, coffee, sweet potatoes, and soy products. 

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Eat less animal protein -

Foods high in animal protein are acidic and may increase urine acid, which can cause kidney stones. Try to limit or avoid poultry, beef, fish, and pork. 

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Eat your fruits and veggies -

A balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables has a number of health benefits, and it can help prevent the formation of kidney stones.

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Vitamin C -

Vitamin C supplements may cause kidney stones, especially in men. Researchers don't believe vitamin C from food carries the same risk.

Sources: (Healthline) (National Kidney Foundation) (The Cleveland Clinic) 

See also: What happens to your body when you stop eating sugar?

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