Kidney stones are rising among children and teens; learn possible causes and how to prevent them

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About 30 years ago, kidney stones were considered the disease of only middle-aged people. However, worryingly, more and more patients are being diagnosed with this extremely painful condition, who belong to a much younger age group.

Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that can get caught in the urinary tract. It is a metabolic disorder, also known as nephrolithiasis. Minerals such as calcium, oxalate and phosphorus accumulate in urine and form hard yellowish crystals. These crystals can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball in severe cases. While some stones can make their way out the urinary tract with no issue, others can get stuck, blocking the urine flow and leading to severe pain and bleeding.

Here are some possible factors causing kidney stones in children.

According to health experts, the increasingly unhealthy diet kids consume these days could be linked to more cases of kidney stones at a young age.

High amounts of sodium from foods like potato chips, sandwich meats, sports drinks and packaged meals can force extra minerals into the urine, which can develop into kidney stones. The risk worsens if the child does not consume enough water.

Experts have noted higher cases of kidney stones in children during hot summers. When the weather is more hot and humid, if we sweat more and urinate less, it allows minerals to bond in the kidneys and urinary tract.

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Antibiotics may alter the gut microbiome in a way that favors kidney stone development, said Dr. Gregory Tasian, a pediatric urologist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, reported NBC news.

Tasian’s team found in 2018 that people who took any of five commonly prescribed oral antibiotics were associated with a 1.3- to 2.3-fold increase in the chances of developing kidney stones. The risk decreased over time. Still, it remained high for up to five years after taking the medication and was greatest when given at earlier ages.

The best way to prevent kidney stones is to drink plenty of water, especially during summers. You can determine if you are drinking enough water or not by judging throughout the color of your urine. You are well hydrated if your urine resembles a light lemonade color.

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