Focus On: Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are small pebbles that form in your kidneys.

They're made of salts and minerals in the urine. Sometimes these stones may not cause symptoms. But they can cause sudden, severe pain and bloody urine. And they may block the flow of urine through the tubes called ureters that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. For most kidney stones, your doctor will recommend home care, such as pain medicine and drinking plenty of water. You may get medicine to help the stone pass. If it is too large to pass, you may need a medical procedure to help you pass the stone. To learn more about kidney stones, talk to your doctor.