Kidney stones are one or more pieces of calcium that forms in the kidney from excess fluid, minerals and wastes that are in the blood stream. They may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a pearl.
Most kidney stones pass out of the body without the help from a doctor, but in some cases medical help is required.
If they get stuck in the urinary tract, they can block the flow of urine causing pain. You may feel the pain in your back or side, experience fever or chills, or see blood in your urine and may feel a burning sensation when you urinate. Some people experience nausea and vomiting.
Eating certain foods or taking medications, such as diuretics and calcium-based antacids or excess amounts of vitamin D can cause kidney stones. Once you get one kidney stone, you are likely to develop others.