Harvard Health Blog What causes kidney stones (and what to do) POSTED MAY 17, 2019, 6:30 AM Kevin R. Loughlin, MD, MBA, Contributor Stone disease has plagued humanity since ancient times. Kidney stones have been identified in Egyptian mummies. The Hippocratic oath describes their treatment: “I will not use the knife, not even verily, on sufferers from stone, but I will give place to such as are craftsmen therein.” There are four major types of kidney stones: calcium oxalate/calcium phosphate, uric acid, struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate), and cystine. A risk factor for all stones, regardless of type, is dehydration. Anyone who is prone to kidney stones should pay attention to good hydration. Learn more »

Get your copy of What to Do About Kidney Stones How and why do kidney stones form? If you need tests or treatment for a stone, what’s involved and what are the risks? Who is likely to develop a first (or second or third) kidney stone, and how can it be prevented? What to Do About Kidney Stones will answer all of these questions. We’ll also bust some myths about why kidney stones hurt so much and how to reduce your risk.

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What to Do About Kidney Stones Featured content: • Tiny stones, big pain • How do the kidneys work? • How do kidney stones form? • Who gets kidney stones? • Symptoms: Why does it hurt so much? •  ... and more! Click here to read more »