MAIN Health Diseases & Conditions Kidney Disease Kidney Stones

Your kidneys are those kidney bean-shaped organs located near the middle of your back, just below the rib cage. Kidneys help to filter your blood of waste and extra water, which becomes urine and is later eliminated through your bladder.

Kidney stones are generally solid pieces of mineral or organic deposits that form in the kidney. Small stones may remain in the kidney, or may be passed out of the body without notice and cause few problems.

But even small stones can partially block the thin tubes connecting the kidneys to your bladder or the outlet from the bladder itself. These stones may cause chronic infections or permanent kidney damage.

Large stones, however are what make most patients sit up and take notice! They may get stuck in the ureter, the bladder or the urethra, blocking the flow of urine and resulting in severe pain for minutes or even hours. Other symptoms may include nausea and vomiting, fever and chills or blood in the urine.

Treatment for kidney stones usually include a course of medication, surgery or lithotripsy using sound waves to break up the stone. A special kidney stone diet may also be prescribed for cutting back on sodium or calcium intake to lessen the risk of developing another kidney stone.

Staying properly hydrated is the best defense against kidney stones, especially during the summer which is usually the height of the kidney stone season.

More about kidney stones around the Web:

On the Web, find out more about the condition, including expert advice on its causes, symptoms and diagnosis, surgical as well as non-invasive procedures, dietary guidelines, homeopathic treatments, and more information on kidney stones and how to prevent them...

National Kidney Foundation - Kidney Stones - Expert information on how they form, symptoms and treatment, and a special section on diet and kidney stones, surgical as well as non-invasive shock wave lithotripsy procedures, plus comprehensive facts and info on related kidney diseases.

Kidney Stones in Adults - Good overview, with description of kidney stones, causes and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, how to's on preventing kidney stones, related surgical procedures, related links and resources, and an additional illustrated guide to What I need to know about Kidney Stones.

Kidney Stones - urologychannel - Descriptions of the kidney stone types, causes and risk factors, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, plus traditional as well homepathic treatment, herbal remedies and suggested nutritional supplements that may help to prevent stones from forming.

Kidney Stone Photographs - An entire array of full-color images in several galleries depicting the various shapes and sizes of kidney stones including cystine, uric acid, and struvite stones.

also see -> Kidney Cancer

also see feature article -> Summer - The Season for Kidney Stones

This information is intended as reference and not as medical advice.
All treatment decisions should be made by medical professionals.