DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My twin sister is serious with a man who has Alport syndrome. I have read about this on the Web, and it sounds ominous to me. Can it be cured? My family and I feel it's not wise for her to pursue this relationship. We are waiting to hear what you have to say.
— L.P.
Your sister and her friend are the ones to make a decision about their relationship. I don't see anything wrong with it.
Alport syndrome is an inherited disorder whose prominent feature is kidney inflammation. Most Alport patients are men, because the gene for the common variety of Alport syndrome is on the X chromosome. Men have only one X chromosome. Women have two, and their second chromosome protects them.
There is no cure for this illness. Kidney dialysis and kidney transplant can give Alport patients a normal and long life.
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I never could have believed what pain a kidney stone brings. I finally passed the stone, but it was an experience I don't ever want to repeat.
My mother asked if I have been told to avoid calcium foods. I haven't. Should I? The stone was a calcium stone.
— R.C.
The most common kind of kidney stone is a calcium oxalate stone. It's logical to think that limiting calcium foods would be the appropriate thing to do. It isn't.
For many years, doctors told their patients who had calcium oxalate stones to cut back on their calcium intake. It turns out, however, that calcium restriction isn't necessary and can raise the risk of coming down with a second stone: Cutting back on calcium increases the absorption of oxalate, and that favors the formation of another stone.
Readers may write to Dr. Donohue 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.
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090122/LIFE/901220321
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