Why kidney stones hurt so much — and how to prevent them

(Aging Untold) — A kidney stone may be tiny, but anyone who’s had one knows the pain can feel anything but small. Hydration, diet and certain medical conditions can all affect your risk. Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, breaks down what causes kidney stones, why they hurt so much and what you can do to lower your risk. What exactly is a kidney stone? “They’re hard, mineral and salt deposits that form from the kidneys,” Rogers said. “They’re really small, but just think of anything that’s blocking something. So you’re actually providing a blockage in a small tube in your body. And that’s very, very painful, excruciating pain.” Sam Cradduck, a gerontologist, said she has had four kidney stones and nothing she has experienced has been as painful. “This is like putting a jagged stone through a straw,” Cradduck said. “This took me to my knees.” What causes them Several factors contribute to kidney stone formation, Rogers said. “What forms these kidney stones are a lot of times