Kidney stones are hard deposits made up of mineral and acid salts. The stones form in the kidneys and travel through the urinary tract before they are released. A combination of factors cause kidney stones, including diet and genetics.
Prevention/Solution
According to MayoClinic.com, most kidney stones pass without any invasive procedures. A person should drink 2 to 3 quarts of water a day to flush the urinary tract. Mild over-the-counter analgesics, including ibuprofen and acetaminophen, are recommended when passing the stone.
Problem Stones
Some kidney stones are extremely painful and large; passing these stones through the urinary tract is impossible. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy breaks up a large stone into smaller, passable fragments. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy and using a ureteroscope are treatments where the stone is physically removed from the body.
Time Frame
Typical kidney stones pass in two to three days, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Nearly 85 percent of patients pass kidney stones without the need of any invasive procedures, reports the university.
