DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My 6-year-old, very healthy, active grandson was just diagnosed as having kidney stones. His pediatrician said it is mostly genetic, but no one else in the family has had kidney stones. A friend told us she heard that stones could be caused by drinking Gatorade. My grandson has drunk a lot of Gatorade. He does not eat processed meat, nor does he have much salt in his diet. From the Internet, I came up with the enclosed article, which linked Gatorade to kidney stones. I feel that someone needs to inform parents that too much Gatorade in children can affect health adversely. — G.S.

ANSWER: An increase in children having kidney stones has been noticed. Some authorities have speculated that the increase in stones might be linked to children’s greater intake of salty foods like potato chips, french fries and other heavily salted snacks. The sodium in salt leads to a rise in the amount of calcium lost in the urine, and, therefore, an increase in kidney-stone production.

Eight ounces of Gatorade has 110 mg of sodium. New guidelines for daily sodium intake is 1,500 mg. To reach that limit by drinking Gatorade, one would have to drink 13 8-ounce bottles or 9 12-ounce bottles. Blaming the surge in the number of children on Gatorade seems iffy to me.

Your grandson would be better off substituting some of his consumption of Gatorade with water. He needs to cut back on his consumption of salt from other foods too. Gatorade keeps him hydrated, but he can stay hydrated with water. Dehydration is a proven cause of kidney stones.

I welcome other readers’ opinions on this issue.

The booklet on sodium, potassium and chloride — electrolytes — explains the role of these minerals in health. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue — No. 202, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Because of a backache, my doctor ordered X-rays. Enclosed is the summary from the radiologist.

I am concerned about the abdominal aorta, but my doctor’s office doesn’t seem to be. I would like to know the cause and what to do about it. I am 74.

Also, what does “grossly normal alignment” mean? — M.

ANSWER: Your X-ray report remarks on your aorta, the body’s largest artery, which travels from the heart to the bottom of the abdomen. The report says, “There is heavy calcification of the abdominal aorta.” In translation, that means you have artery hardening of the aorta, officially called arteriosclerosis.

Most 74-year-olds have some calcification of their aorta. The body uses calcium like we use spackle, to fill in cracks and holes in walls. The aorta takes a pounding. It receives blood from the heart at high pressure. Calcium fills in defects that come to the aorta from years of living. In addition, cholesterol and other material coat the lining of the aorta, and calcium deposits on those materials too. To minimize further deposition of calcium, keep your blood pressure controlled, cut back on foods that increase cholesterol, like red meats and whole dairy products, up your intake of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and stay as active as you can.

Your last question about normal alignment refers to your backbones. They’re stacked up properly.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: You printed two letters on headaches. I don’t see you mention the medicine that works for me — Excedrin. It takes only half a pill to end my headaches. My grown son has tried it, but he didn’t get good results. Just wanted you to know how well it works for me. — J.R.

ANSWER: Thanks. Excedrin is a combination of aspirin and acetaminophen (Tylenol). Many Excedrin products also contain caffeine, which is said to enhance pain relief.

I’m sure readers will appreciate your testimonial.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.