My paternal grandma died of kidney disease. is that hereditary? my dad has kidney stones and now i do.

Kidney disease: Most kidney disease and kidney failure comes from longstanding, poorly controlled high blood pressure and/or diabetes. Both of these diseases and chronic kidney disease can run in families. Nowaadays, it is rare for kidney stones by themselves to cause kidney failure. Regardless, it is a good reminder to carefully control high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney stones and kidney disease.

Inherited problem: Sounds to me like there is something hereditary going on here. Of the things that are inherited with this pattern, automsomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is the most likely (seehttp://kidney.Niddk.Nih.Gov/kudiseases/pubs/polycystic/). The tendency for kidney stones also runs in families. My advice: see your doctor and get yourself checked very thoroughly.