The Basics: What are Kidney Stones?

You’ve likely heard of them – those tiny formations with a big reputation for pain - kidney stones. They’re also known as nephrolithiases, urolithiases or renal calculi.

What exactly is a kidney stone, you ask? It’s a small mass made of crystals that forms in the kidney when there are high levels of things like calcium, oxalate and phosphorus in the urine (there are a few reasons why this might happen). A kidney stone may stay in the kidney or travel down the urinary tract, which includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Kidney stones may pass unnoticed, but they can cause some pretty serious pain if they come loose and advance into the ureter. The reason why there is often sudden pain is because the kidneys function like a faucet, producing urine at a good flow. When a stone blocks the drainage path, the pressure goes up inside the kidney and that is the main cause of pain.

Ever wonder what kidney stones look like? Sure you have! There are a few different types of stones, though calcium stones are by far the most common. Kidney stones vary in size and shape and can be as tiny as a sugar crystal or larger than a golf ball. They also may be smooth or jagged, and are usually yellow or brown.

There are actually a lot of things about kidney stones you may not know. So take a look at these fast facts – you could dazzle everyone at your next cocktail party. Or, you know, it might just be some good stuff to know.

Fast facts on kidney stones:

• The number one cause of kidney stones is not drinking enough water, so drink up! (The National Kidney Foundation recommends 12-plus glasses a day.)
• Approximately 1 million people in the United States are treated for kidney stones each year! Yep, of all the countries in the world, we have the most kidney stones.
• People who have a family history of kidney stones or who’ve had more than one stone are likely to develop more.
• Most stones are formed and excreted one by one—it’s very unlikely, though possible, to have both sides affected at the same time.
• Kidney stones are most common in men, Caucasians and in overweight and obese people.
• The largest known kidney stone (in a Hungarian man) weighed about 2.5 pounds! That’s about the size of a coconut.
• Most stones will pass out of the body without medical care. (Hey, there’s some good news!)
• Contrary to what you may think (or feel), the main risk of kidney stones is not the pain. Long term blockage of the kidney can lead to permanent damage to its function, so it’s imperative that an obstructing stone either pass or be treated in a reasonable period of time.

Kidney stones are on the rise in this country, so do your part to help prevent them. Drink lots of water and make healthy dietary changes to reduce your chances of developing a stone.

And if you think you might have a kidney stone (here are symptoms), be sure to talk to your doctor.