Kidney Stones on the Rise in Adolescents

Doctors across the country have reported a dramatic increase in the number of cases of kidney stones in young patients. Reported cases have increased more than fivefold over the past two decades. One hospital in Philadelphia that saw a mere ten cases annually as recently as 2005 now treats five patients a week. Kidney stones, which have long been associated with older patients, have been reported in children as young as 8 months. Repeat occurrences are also increasing. An 8 year old from Pennsylvania has suffered through 4 bouts with the painful condition. As a result, he has given up some of his favorite foods that are high in salt and takes diuretic pills with lots of water daily. Nutrition is thought to play a major role in the production of kidney stones because excess salt in the diet correlates with high calcium levels in the urine. Drinking more water also helps dilute solutes in the urine. Doctors are unsure if the recent increase in reported cases is independent of advances in awareness and detection methods. They warn, however, that the presence of kidney stones can be a sign of underlying metabolic disorders that lead to growth problems and repeated occurrences. Therefore, it's important to take the condition seriously. The public should know that kidney stones are not limited to adults and are often a secondary result of a more serious health issue. Health professionals may not be able to do more than observe or help alleviate the condition itself, but following their advice to monitor salt and water intake can prevent the pain associated with kidney stones, often said to be worse than childbirth.

~Angie Burrer
Section 504
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jkTS8XTj2T8UowJf9nzjE_g2YAFQD975SLGO2