Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. They can affect any part of your urinary tract, from your kidneys to your bladder. Kidney stones are a common urological condition, affecting about 1 in 10 people during their lifetime.

The most common symptoms of kidney stones are:

• Severe pain in the side, back, lower abdomen, or groin
• Pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity
• Pain or burning sensation while urinating
• Pink, red, or brown urine
• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
• Frequent urination
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever and chills (if an infection is present)

Stones can also form in other parts of the urinary tract, including the bladder and ureters (tubes that connect the bladder and kidneys). This is often the case in patients with stone disease, which is another term for the condition where stones affect urinary function.

Kidney stones form when your urine contains more crystal-forming substances than the fluid in your urine can dilute. Risk factors include:

• Not drinking enough water
• High-sodium diet
• Excessive consumption of animal products such as meat or cheese
• Obesity
• Smoking 
• Family history of kidney stones
• Certain medical conditions (e.g., gout, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease)

Sometimes, kidney stones pass naturally without any medical intervention. However, when stones become too large or complex to clear the urinary tract on their own, urological intervention will be necessary.