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Kidney4 min read

What causes kidney stones?

Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that form inside the kidneys — and the single most common thread behind them is concentrated urine from too little fluid.

How stones form

When urine contains more crystal-forming substances (calcium, oxalate, uric acid) than the fluid can dilute, crystals clump and grow. Hot climates, sweating heavily, and chronically low water intake all concentrate urine.

Everyday contributors

High salt intake increases calcium in urine. Very high-oxalate foods (spinach, beetroot, nuts, chocolate, strong tea) can contribute in susceptible people. Sugary colas and very high animal-protein diets are also frequently linked.

What a stone can feel like

Small stones may pass silently. Larger ones can cause waves of severe side or back pain, blood in urine, nausea, or pain while urinating. Fever with stone pain is an emergency signal.

Prevention that actually holds up

Producing roughly 2–2.5 litres of urine daily (which means drinking generously through the day, especially in Indian summers) is the most consistently supported preventive habit. Normal dietary calcium is fine — cutting calcium can backfire.

Everyday takeaways
  • Spread water intake across the whole day
  • Ease up on added salt
  • Add lemon or nimbu paani — citrate helps
  • Don't drastically cut dietary calcium
  • Fever with stone-like pain = urgent care
A note on professional care

This article is educational and general. Your situation has its own context — for symptoms that are severe, sudden, persistent or worrying, consult a qualified medical practitioner.

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