Urine is one of the ways the body gets rid of waste products. Excess minerals and salts are also excreted by the kidney through urine. When the amount of these minerals increase, they can form stones. The stones can be either large or small. Small stones may be less painful than large stones. Pain occurs when the stone gets stuck in the tubes called urethra or ureter while being thrown out.

Drinking plenty of water is one of the best ways to prevent kidney stones. Compensating for the sweat you secrete is necessary to balance the water requirement.
Avoid foods that promote stone formation, like red meat, sugar, chocolates, beets, spinach and sweet potatoes.
Include lemon, whole grains, fruits and vegetables in your diet.

If the size of the kidney stone is small, it will probably pass through the urine on its own. You can wait for about 1 to 1.5 months for the stone to pass, while you continue to drink normal amounts of water. It is safe until you don't experience unbearable pain, and if the doctors feel the size of the stones to be small enough.

Low urine volume is one of the first signs that you may be at risk of kidney stones.
Conditions of the bowel, like gastric bypass surgery or diarrhoea, can put you at risk too.
Overgrowth of parathyroid glands can cause you to develop kidney stones too. Excess of calcium and vitamin D supplements can also increase the chances of stone formation. Family history may also play a role.

Symptoms of kidney stones include:
-Sharp cramping pain in the back, or lower abdomen which may come in waves and move lower towards the groin.
-An urgent need to urinate with severe pain while urinating.
-Men experience pain on the tip of the penis.
-Urine may contain blood or maybe very dark.
-Some may feel nausea and vomiting.