A kidney stone is a hard deposit made from minerals and salts that forms inside a kidney. Some stones stay small, while others move into the urinary tract and cause pain.
Common symptoms
Kidney stones can cause severe side or back pain, pain that moves toward the groin, blood in urine, nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, or burning with urination.
Why stones form
Stones can be related to dehydration, urine chemistry, diet, family history, certain medications, metabolic conditions, infections, or other medical problems.
Severe pain, fever, vomiting, blocked urination, or kidney disease requires prompt medical evaluation.