Kidney stone illness in kids is a serious well being concern. Childhood charges of stone illness have elevated dramatically within the final 20 years.
There are a number of causes of kidney stones, together with genetic circumstances, environmental components, and dietary habits. Kidney stones can result in many well being issues reminiscent of elevated ache, decrease high quality of life, and the necessity for surgical interventions. Therefore, it is extremely necessary to successfully deal with kids who’ve kidney stones.
Drinking Water Is an Important Step in Preventing Kidney Stones
Fortunately, there are various methods to forestall the development of kidney stone illness. One of a very powerful therapies, whatever the particular reason for kidney stones, is to drink a big quantity to fluid every day. And water is usually all it takes. Fancy sports activities drinks aren’t wanted and sweetened drinks, reminiscent of cola and punch, can truly be detrimental.
Parents typically ask me how a lot their youngsters ought to be consuming every day to forestall kidney stones from forming. It’s totally different for each child, and it will possibly change for a similar child primarily based the exercise degree and setting. The greatest technique to decide in case your youngsters are consuming sufficient is to have a look at their urine. If it’s darkish yellow, they’re not getting an ample quantity to forestall kidney stones.
Calculating How Much Water Children Need
In common, right here’s a fast, simple manner to determine the minimal day by day quantity for teenagers. I multiply six ounces by the kid’s age in years. I normally max them out at 13 years, or 78 ounces. However, this ought to be thought of as a place to begin for ample fluid consumption, and better portions could also be wanted. In my expertise, youngsters sometimes aren’t consuming sufficient every day, and oldsters are sometimes challenged to seek out methods to extend fluid consumption. So how are you going to assist them drink extra? Here are a number of recommendations I relay to my sufferers and households:
4 EASY WAYS TO GET YOUR KIDS TO DRINK MORE WATER
1. HAVE IT READILY AVAILABLE
Children love independence. Allow them to get it themselves – both by a water dispenser in your fridge or in easy-to-reach dispense jugs in your counter. Kids who’re too younger to get the water themselves might get pleasure from having their very own water bottle that they’ll seize off the desk. You could want to assist them fill it up.
2. BE A GOOD EXAMPLE
If they see you consuming water, they’ll be extra seemingly to take action as nicely. Everyone within the household can have their very own water bottle to refill all through the day. If you’ll be out through the summer season – freeze them in a single day and also you’ll have ice water prepared, which is able to keep cooler outdoors.
3. LIMIT THEIR CHOICES
In a great state of affairs, kids will drink water as a result of it’s the one factor they’re used to consuming in addition to milk. Try to keep away from giving them punch, soda, different sweetened drinks, or solely as a deal with on particular events. In reality, a majority of these drinks can result in the next threat kidney stone formation.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) lately up to date their suggestions associated to juice. Children underneath one yr of age shouldn’t drink any juice. For older kids, the utmost day by day consumption of 100% juice merchandise ought to be 4 ounces for kids ages 1-3 years, 4-6 ounces for kids ages 4-6 years and eight ounces for these 7 years and older. There can be a really sturdy case for watering down the juice that kids obtain as nicely.
4. MAKE IT FUN
Drinking it doesn’t need to be boring and it doesn’t need to be flavorless. What we’re making an attempt to forestall is added sugar, not added style. Add contemporary fruit to their water! Lemons, oranges, strawberries, kiwi, blackberries, blueberries, are all good decisions. In reality, pure lemon juice may very well assist forestall kidney stones from forming. You can add them straight to the water for style, or freeze them in ice cubes for a splash of coloration and a delayed burst of taste!
The multidisciplinary Stone Center at Cincinnati Children’s makes use of a collaborative method for kids and adolescents with stones within the urinary tract. Our pediatric urologists provide all types of state-of-the artwork minimally invasive kidney and bladder stone therapies.
To study extra about our Kidney Stone Center, or to schedule an appointment, please name 513-803-ROCK (7625).