Kidney stones, also known as renal calculi, are hard small masses of crystal that can form inside the kidneys that are part of the urinary tract. The kidney has many jobs, and one crucial role is to filter the blood to remove waste in the form of urine. These waste contains compounds that consist of water, sodium, calcium, oxalate, potassium, phosphate, and uric acid, and sometimes, the levels of these particles increases, or urine becomes too acidic, this can cause the particles to bond together and crystallize, and if left untreated, these crystals can slowly grow in size with time and ultimately form a kidney stone.

There are 5 main types of kidney stones, and calcium oxalate is the most common form. Generally, they are small and undetectable, until they grow size and begin to travel through the kidney and through the ureter and its sharp edges scratch the wall of the urinary tract, causing tremendous pain, which can lead to symptoms like vomiting, nausea, and can cause a burning sensation while urinating. Not only that, if the stone grows bigger, it may block the flow of urine, and can cause an infection causing one or more kidneys to swell.

What factors cause these stones?
People who get kidney stones have a health condition that increases their risk for them, but some might get them for no particular known reason. Although there are types of kidney stones that run in families, and getting kidney stones once could put an individual at risk of getting it again, there are other factors responsible for it as well such as; an unhealthy diet, dehydration, metabolic disorders, etc.

How to prevent kidney stones
It is not always possible to prevent some kind of kidney stones, but the easiest way prevent kidney stones is drinking enough water to avoid dehydration, and cutting back on salt and salty foods also help lower the risk of kidney stones.

The good news is; not all kidney stones grow so big and irritating, and generally pass out of the body on its own. To get rid of it, all one needs to do id drink plenty of water, but if you continue to feel the pain that spreads to the lower belly and groin, then you need to visit the doctor as soon as possible.