Kidney stones (also called renal calculi, nephrolithiasis or urolithiasis) are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. Diet, excess body weight, some medical conditions, and certain supplements and medications are among the many causes of kidney stones. Kidney disease is something that we have all come to dread, but most of us still don’t have much of a clue as to how important the kidneys are. Yes, they are responsible for the filtration and excretion of excess fluid and wastes from the body, but there’s a lot more that they do — from helping in the generation of red blood cells to maintaining the electrolyte balance in your body. While kidney stones are rather common and are nowhere near as threatening as chronic kidney disease, they do require urgent attention and changes to your diet and lifestyle