Friday, March 27, 2009

Kids' Kidney Stones Rising

Doctors are concerned over what seems to be an increase in the number of children with kidney stones, a condition some blame on kids' love of fast food and other salty foods. "Kidney stones are usually an adult malady, one that is notorious for causing excruciating pain — pain worse than childbirth." A 2007 study in the Journal of Urology by doctors at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Medical Center reported "a nearly fivefold increase in children brought in with kidney stones between 1994 and 2005." Other hospitals have seen increased numbers as well. Eating too much salt can result in excess calcium in the urine, and in children, most stones are calcium-based. Their eating habits, plus drinking too little water, puts kids at risk. Read more.

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