Kidney Stones Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR PREV 1/8 NEXT Table of Contents Kidney Stones Slideshow Pictures Kidney Stones Medical Images The 7 Wonders of Water Slideshow Kidney Stone Treatment Most kidney stones eventually pass from the kidney through the ureter and bladder and finally through the urethra on their own. However, treatment is often required for pain control from kidney stones as they pass. The consumption of ample fluids helps facilitate the passage of kidney stones, but even with plentiful fluid intake, most people require some type of medications for pain control. Learn more about kidney stone treatment » Quick Guide Kidney Stones: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Kidney stone facts A kidney stone is a hard, crystalline mineral material formed within the kidney or urinary tract. Nephrolithiasis is the medical