Many people are affected by kidney stones throughout their lives. They occur when there is a build up of calcium crystals in the urethra (the crystals are left when the urine has become saturated and, as such, can no longer dissolve any more of the crystal into it). There is only one way to get rid of them, and that is by passing them out of the urethra by urinating. This can be a very painful experience as the kidney stones can grow to be upwards of 1cm in diameter, so it is very important that you are able to detect the stones before they grow to such an extent.

There are many symptoms that suggest you have kidney stones. You can often get a pain in your lower back (where the kidneys are located) and along the urethral system. This suggests that there is a large build up of an abrasive substance in the urethral system and, as such, suggest that you have a kidney stone. You can also have a certain amount of blood in your urine. This occurs when the kidney stones enlarge and cause damage to the wall of the kidney or urethral tube; thus causing bruising or cuts and bleeding. One final way that a kidney stone is detected is where there is a feeling of blockage in the urethra. This is where you feel the need to urinate but are unable to; the subsequent pressure can be very uncomfortable. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is advisable to speak to a doctor about possible solutions.