Kidney Stone Treatment Center
Facts about Kidney Stones
Kidney stones affect over one million people annually with the incidence of stones increasing over the past 20 years. The causes of kidney stones are varied, including family history, kidney diseases, metabolic disorders, infection, and diet.
A stone begins as a tiny crystal that separates from urine in the kidney and gradually grows into a solid mass. Stones smaller than 5 mm (1/5 inch) are likely to pass out of the body without intervention. Larger stones, however, may become trapped in the kidney or ureter, triggering symptoms of intense pain, nausea and/or blood in the urine and requiring medical help.