08/09/2026
KIDNEY STONES : DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, PREVENTION AND CARE ACROSS MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH
Kidney stones are a common physical health condition that can affect anyone including people living with mental health challenges. Effective care often requires close partnership between mental health teams and physical health services, ensuring that no person is overlooked or denied the treatment they need simply because they also have a mental health diagnosis. The management of kidney stones depends on several factors including the stone's size, location, composition, symptoms, degree of obstruction, presence of infection, and the person's overall physical and mental wellbeing.
Diagnosis
Healthcare professionals use a combination of methods to confirm the presence of kidney stones and understand their impact. They begin with a detailed medical history and physical examination, followed by urine testing to check for blood, infection, or other abnormalities. Blood tests can also provide important information about kidney function, infection, and chemical imbalances that may contribute to stone formation. Imaging is essential, ultrasound or CT scanning can show exactly where the stone is, how large it is, and whether it is blocking the flow of urine. If a stone is passed naturally, it will be collected and analysed to understand its makeup, which helps guide future prevention strategies.
Treatment
The right treatment depends entirely on the individual. Small stones may pass naturally through the urinary tract with time, pain relief, and plenty of fluids. Medication may be prescribed to ease pain, reduce inflammation, or help the stone pass more easily. Larger stones, stones that are causing a blockage, stones that do not pass, or stones associated with infection or severe pain will usually require a procedure. These may include shock wave lithotripsy which breaks the stone into tiny pieces, ureteroscopy where a thin scope is used to remove or break the stone, or percutaneous nephrolithotomy for larger stones. The approach is always chosen by a healthcare professional based on what is safest and most effective for that person.
Prevention
Preventing future stones is as important as treating the current one. Drinking enough fluid every day is the foundation of prevention, enough so that urine is consistently pale. But prevention goes beyond just drinking water. Dietary advice depends on the type of stone formed and the results of urine and blood tests. For people who develop stones repeatedly, further investigation is needed to understand the underlying cause so a personalised prevention plan can be put in place. Regular follow up helps monitor progress and catch new stones before they become large or painful.
Care Across Mental Health And Physical Health , A Vital Connection
This condition is particularly important for those of us working in mental health care, because people living with mental health conditions are just as likely and sometimes more likely to develop physical health problems such as kidney stones. Medications, lifestyle factors, hydration levels, and difficulties recognising or communicating pain can all contribute. When a patient on a mental health ward develops a kidney stone, their care becomes a shared responsibility. They may be transferred to a general hospital for diagnosis, treatment, or surgery ensuring they receive the best possible physical care in a setting equipped for that type of treatment. Once their physical needs are met and they are recovering well, they are transferred back to the mental health ward where their ongoing mental health support, medication continuity, and familiar environment can aid their full recovery. This transfer process requires clear communication, shared care plans, and mutual respect between teams so the person never feels lost between two systems. Physical health does not exist separately from mental health. Pain, infection, and illness can worsen mental health symptoms and poor mental health can make recovery harder. Treating the whole person means caring for both at the same time.
❤️ My Advice For Everyone
Be aware that pain, changes in urine, nausea, or fever are always worth reporting, no matter what other health conditions you may have. Pain is not something to be endured or ignored. If you are supporting someone else, be alert to changes in their behaviour restlessness, agitation, withdrawal, or changes in routine may be their way of expressing physical pain. Encourage and support adequate fluid intake dehydration is one of the most common causes of kidney stones. Ask questions and ensure clear handover notes are shared between teams whenever someone moves between different care settings. Attend all follow up appointments physical health check ups are just as important as mental health reviews.
Key Message
Kidney stones are treatable and often preventable. Recurrent stones deserve proper evaluation because understanding why they form is the best way to reduce future risk. For people living with mental health challenges, physical health must never be an afterthought. Every person deserves equal access to diagnosis, treatment, and continuity of care and every team has a role to play in making that happen.
NOTE:
This information is for general educational purposes only and does not replace individualised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal symptoms and concerns. Seek urgent medical attention if you or someone in your care has severe pain, fever, chills, persistent vomiting, visible blood in the urine, or cannot pass urine.
Nurse Chinel ❤️