This guide will help you to know what to expect as you work with your healthcare team to manage and treat your kidney stones.
Everyone will have their own unique journey with kidney stones. How you move through your journey, the number of visits with your healthcare team, the steps you will take, and the order you take them in will depend on your individual needs and will be decided in partnership with your healthcare team. Always follow the specific recommendations from your healthcare team.
What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are formed when substances normally found in your pee (urine) clump together. They can be different sizes and shapes. You may have pain depending on the size of the stone and where it is located in your body.
Whole-person health
The whole-person health approach will help you and your healthcare team better manage your health condition.
Whole-person health draws from the teachings of the medicine wheel. It means thinking about all parts of your health and wellness:
- physical
- financial and social
- spiritual
- emotional
These parts are all connected and impact each other. It’s important to be aware of your personal needs in each part and to share that information with your healthcare team. Your healthcare team needs to understand who you are and what matters to you.
Support and resources
- If you need a family doctor, visit Alberta Health Services:
Find a doctor.
- If you need a translator, let your healthcare provider know.
- If you need health advice any time, day or night, call Health Link at 811.
- If you need to find programs and services in your community, call or text 211 or visit
211 Alberta.
For more information about kidney stones, see:
Kidney Stone Pathway
Download or print the
full patient pathway (PDF) and
summary (one-page PDF) to learn more about how to manage and treat your kidney stones.
Patient Pathway 
Summary
