Kidney stones: Preventing kidney stones through diet

What are kidney stones?

Kidney stones are made of salts and other minerals in the urine that stick together to form small “pebbles.” These stones can form in the kidneys, the ureters (the tubes that lead from the kidneys to the bladder), or the bladder. Stones are usually not a problem as long as they stay in the kidneys, but they may cause sudden, severe pain as they travel from the kidneys to the bladder. They can block the flow of urine and cause bleeding.

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1. Kidney stones that stay in the kidneys usually cause pain.

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Author:	Monica Rhodes	Last Updated: May 30, 2007
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Philip Belitsky, MD, FRCSC - Urology
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