(MayoClinic.org) -- One out of ten. That's how many people will get a painful kidney stone sometime in their lives. And once you get a kidney stone you're at risk of getting another. But doctors at Mayo Clinic have some good news. They say you can take control and prevent kidney stones for the most part, if you're on the right program.

"I knew immediately that something was wrong because i was in severe pain."

The pain of recurrent kidney stones kept developer Jeff Conn away from the job site.

"I hated to be away."

But there was no way Jeff could work through that agony.

"The pain of kidney stones is legendary," Mayo Clinic Nephrologist Dr. William Haley said.

Dr. Haley and urologist Dr. Michael Wehle want to stop the pain of kidney stones for people like Jeff. How? By teaching people how to prevent them.

"We can be successful 90 percent of the time of preventing that next stone," Dr. Wehle said.

You see kidney stones occur when certain substances in your urine increase in concentration and begin to crystallize. The stones can move into the opening of the kidney or ureter and cause blockages. This causes pain and could also cause infection or loss of kidney function.

"There are unique reasons that are distinct to each patient as to why they make kidney stones," Dr. Haley said.

For instance, maybe it's certain foods you eat or maybe you don't drink enough water. Blood and urine samples analyzed in the lab can help pinpoint the culprits.

"Then we can put into motion dietary changes, occasional medications, or a change of the amount of water they drink," Dr. Haley said.

Jeff made some dietary changes.

"All types of cola products are no longer allowed. I can't eat spinach."

And since those preventive measures, Jeff has not had one single kidney stone.

Kidney stones are often hereditary. But as Jeff found out, you can prevent them. For more information, visit MayoClinic.org.