Kidney Stones

(HealthDayNews) -- If you've ever had a kidney stone, you know how painful it can be.

According to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, you can help prevent kidney stones from forming by:

• Drinking up to 12 glasses of water a day. This will help dilute or flush away substances that form stones.
• Avoiding too much protein in your diet.

Signs of a possible kidney stone include extreme back pain, blood in your urine, fever and chills, vomiting, and a burning sensation when you urinate. If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible.