Kidney stones are hard salts and minerals that can form in the kidneys, urinary bladder, ureters, and urethra. Most kidney stones are around the size of chickpeas, while others may be as tiny as the sand grain or large as a golf ball.

• Kidney stones occur when the kidneys keep the unutilized calcium of the muscles and bones instead of passing it out through the urine. The unutilized calcium joins with other waste products to form calcium oxalate crystals, i.e., kidney stones.
• Uric acid stones develop when the body does not have enough fluid to dilute the uric acid in the urine

• Pain in the side or lower back of the body
• Pain comes and goes but is severe sometimes
• Pain while urinating
• Blood in urine
• Urge to urination increases
• Smelly urine and which may looks cloudy
• Inability to urinate
• Nausea and vomiting with pain

Untreated kidney stones can lead to the following complications-

• Blocking of tubes connecting the kidney to the bladder
• Frequent urinary tract infection
• Increased risk of chronic kidney disease Chronic kidney disease is the progressive damage and loss of kidney function.
• Complete kidney damage

• Drinking two liters of water per day
• Consuming less salt (sodium) in food
• Maintaining an ideal body weight
• Taking medicines as prescribed by the doctor

Some of the foods that have to be limited to prevent kidney stones are as follows:

• Salmon
• Shellfish
• Pork
• Beef
• Chicken