Kidney stones are solid collections of crystals that form from substances in urine. Their size, location and composition vary, and these differences affect the care that may be needed.
Why stones can develop
Low fluid intake, previous stones, family history, some medicines and certain medical conditions can influence risk. Different types of stones have different causes. It is not useful to assume that every stone results from eating one particular food.
When to get medical care
Seek prompt medical assessment for symptoms such as pain in the back or side, blood in the urine or difficulty passing urine. Severe pain, or pain with fever or signs of infection, needs urgent assessment. A doctor may use urine tests, blood tests or imaging to determine what is happening.
Prevention is individual
If you have had a stone, ask whether its type can be identified and what prevention advice applies to you. Dietary or fluid advice should account for your other health conditions. Do not adopt broad food exclusions or use herbal products to try to dissolve a stone without medical advice.
Sources and further reading
General information only. This article does not diagnose a condition or recommend an individual treatment plan. References support the information discussed; they do not establish that a particular MediHope treatment will produce a particular outcome.