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Understanding Kidney Stones

Your kidneys are bean-shaped organs. They help filter extra salts, waste, and water from your body. You need to drink enough water every day to help flush the extra salts into your urine. 

Cross section of urinary tract showing kidney stones. Stones form in kidney calyx. Staghorn stones often caused by infection. May grow until they fill up entire kidney. Some stones move to kidney pelvis, blocking urine flow. Stones often lodge in ureter. This irritates tissue, blocks urine flow, and can make urine bloody.

What Are Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones are made up of chemical crystals that separate out from urine. These crystals clump together to make “stones.” They form in the calyx of the kidney. They may stay in the kidney or move into the urinary tract. 

Why Kidney Stones Form

Kidneys form stones for many reasons. If you don’t drink enough water, for instance, you won’t have enough urine to dilute chemicals. Then the chemicals may form crystals, which can develop into stones:

  • Fluid loss (dehydration) can concentrate urine, causing stones to form.

  • Certain foods contain large amounts of the chemicals that sometimes crystallize into stones. Eating foods that contain a lot of meat or salt can lead to more kidney stones.

  • Kidney infections foster stones by slowing urine flow or changing the acid balance of your urine.

  • Family history. If family members have had kidney stones, you’re more likely to have them, too.

Where Stones Form

Stones begin in the cup-shaped part of the kidney (calyx). Some stay in the calyx and grow. Others move into the kidney pelvis or into the ureter. There they can lodge, block the flow of urine, and cause pain.


Many stones cause sudden and severe pain and bloody urine. Others cause nausea or frequent, burning urination. Symptoms often depend on your stone’s size and location. Fever may indicate a serious infection. Call your doctor right away if you develop a fever.


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