A kidney stone is a hard, crystalline mineral material formed within the kidney or urinary tract when there is a decrease in urine volume and/or an excess of stone-forming substances in the urine. Dehydration is a major risk factor for kidney stone formation. Symptoms of kidney stones include: sharp pains in your back, side, lower abdomen, or groin; pink, red, or brown blood in your urine, also called hematuria; a constant need to urinate; pain while urinating; inability to urinate or can only urinate a small amount; and/or cloudy or bad-smelling urine. Kidney stones do not always cause any specific early signs or symptoms. For some, the first sign may be pain or pressure in the lower back or abdomen, or symptoms similar to those of a urinary tract infection. Kidney stones that do not pass out of the body can cause extreme pain if left untreated. They may also increase a person’s risk of developing urinary tract problems and kidney disease. If you would like to find out more and receive a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment, please contact us at secondopinions.com, for your peace of mind.