Although kidney stones are one of the most treatable urologic disorders, they are commonly referred to as the most painful. Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits (made of salts and minerals that stick together) that form in the kidney and eventually make their way through the urinary tract until they are extracted through the urethra.  The most common cause for kidney stones is not drinking enough water. In addition, some people are more susceptible to getting kidney stones either because they have had them already before, or because another close member of the family has had them.  People afflicted with a kidney stone will feel a sharp pain in the area around their kidneys; nausea and vomiting may also occur.  Some patients can simply ride out a kidney stone and wait until it passes, while others will need to seek medical attention where a variety of therapies and surgical options are available to help eliminate the problem.