Kidney stones on the rise in kids

kidney stones -- a painful condition usually thought to plague people in middle age -- are on the rise in children, due in part to a poor diet, physical inactivity, and rising rates of childhood obesity.

"I am seeing more and more children who have kidney stones," reported Dr. Gary J. Faerber, a urologist with the University of Michigan Health System. "The best way to prevent kidney stones is to encourage drinking plenty of water," Faerber said. "I encourage that children drink enough water to keep the urine clear. If the urine is yellow, that is an indication of the urine being concentrated, which increases the risk of precipitation of mineral crystals, which then form into stones."

It's especially important, Faerber said, to stay hydrated during the hot summer months, "and have a glass of water before bedtime, as nighttime is also a time of relative dehydration."

"You can add lemonade or orange juice because they contain citrate, which is a chemical that helps to prevent stone formation," Faerber said. "Just make sure they see their dentist on a regular basis since lemonade and orange juice can affect teeth enamel."

Skip the soft drinks, though, Faerber advises. Kids don't need the Sugar and, in the case of dark colas, they don't need the extra oxalate, which can fuel stone formation. In some cases, children may need to reduce intake of other foods high in oxalate like teas, chocolate, and spinach, he added........................................
http://www.1to1vitamins.com/news/2009/artl7395.html

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