Kidney stone disease

Kidney stone disease, also known as nephrolithiasis or urolithiasis, is when a solid piece of material (kidney stones, also known as renal calculi) forms in the kidney or bladder. From there, most travel down the urinary tract.^[1] Kidney stones typically form in the kidney and leave the body during urination.^[1] A small stone may pass without causing symptoms (90% or more) within 3 months.^[1] Kidney and bladder stones have been known to be fatal. A US founding father, Benjamin Franklin, had kidney stones.

Usual location of pain caused by kidney stones

Kidney stone disease
Other names	Urolithiasis, kidney stone, renal calculus, nephrolith, kidney stone disease,
A kidney stone, 8 millimeters (0.3 in) in diameter
Medical specialty	Urology, nephrology
Symptoms	Severe pain in the lower back or abdomen, blood in the urine, vomiting, nausea[1]
Causes	Genetic and environmental factors[1]
Diagnostic method	Based on symptoms, urine testing, medical imaging[1]
Differential diagnosis	Abdominal aortic aneurysm, diverticulitis, appendicitis, pyelonephritis[2]
Prevention	Drinking fluids such that more than two liters of urine are produced per day
Treatment	Pain medication, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy[1]
Frequency	22.1 million (2015)
Deaths	16,100 (2015)

If a stone grows to more than 5 millimeters (0.2 in) it can cause blockage of the ureter resulting in severe pain in the lower back or abdomen.^[1][3] A kidney stone 1cm or larger cannot pass on its own and requires surgery.

The medical name for kidney stone pain is renal colic. A stone may also result in blood in the urine, vomiting, or painful urination.^[1] About 50% of people who get kidney stones will have another within 5 years, especially if they are under the age of 25.