SubscribeGlobal Warming Means More Kidney Stones
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In the rush of recent events we somehow overlooked this press release from the American Urological Association:
Global Warming May Lead to Increase in Kidney Stones Disease
Mon 14-Jul-2008
ORLANDO, FL, May 20, 2008 –Rising global temperatures could lead to an increase in kidney stones, according to research presented today at the 103rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA). Dehydration has been linked to stone disease, particularly in warmer climates, and global warming will exacerbate this effect. As a result, the prevalence of stone disease may increase, along with the costs of treating the condition. Researchers presented data to reporters in a special press conference on May 20, 2008 at 8:00 a.m.
Using published data to determine the temperature-dependence of stone disease, researchers applied predictions of temperature increase to determine the impact of global warming on the incidence and cost of stone disease in the United States. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicates a 1-20 C increase in temperature by 2050 for much of the United States. These findings place a greater significance on the harmful effects of global warming, an ongoing economic and political issue.
The southern United States is considered “the stone belt” because these states have higher incidences of kidney stones. Rising global temperatures could expand this region; the fraction of the U.S. population living in high-risk stone zones is predicted to grow from 40 percent in 2000 to 50 percent by 2050. This could lead to an increase of one to two million lifetime cases of stone disease. The impact of climate-related changes in stone disease will be non-uniformly distributed and likely concentrated in the southern half of the country (linear model) or upper Midwest (non-linear model). The cost associated with treating stone disease could climb as high as one $1 billion annually by 2050, representing a 10-20 percent increase over present-day estimates.
Why not? Everything else is now said to be affected by ‘climate change.’ Why not put kidney stones on the pile?
It is certainly one sure way to get some attention. However mocking.
Dehydration has been linked to stone disease, particularly in warmer climates, and global warming will exacerbate this effect.
Oh, and never mind that other similarly “scientific” studies have claimed global warming will mean more humidity and wetter conditions.
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6 Responses to “Global Warming Means More Kidney Stones”
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July 16th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Crap.
July 16th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Global warming also causes menstruation. Hear that ladies?! Periods! All we have to do is give up every luxury we have (unless we’re in tight with Al Gore) and then we’ll be free of the curse!
No real verdict yet on whether or not warming contributes to skeevy guys hitting on you in the deodorant aisle of the grocery store, but they’re looking into it.
July 16th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
What I find terribly sad is the big deal (a thousand hits in a google search) over something that could barely be called research. They simply took someone else’s research that found a relationship between temperature and incidents of stones and mashed it with the UN report that says there might be bogusly high temps. This is the worst kind of fake scholarship. As someone who actually does research, I wish I could revoke degrees given to people who padded their thesis with this junk.
July 16th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
I was against trillions in taxation and bankrupting our economy to fight “climate change, (warming?)” since I really do not care about an increase in sea levels, droughts, stronger hurricanes, more disease, anxiety and depression, blah, blah, blah…I mean, YAWN!…. But an increase in kindney stones? I just ripped up my driver’s license and tore out my indoor plumbing…I’m scared and it’s time to “take action” and “speak truth to power”……Thanks to Al, I am now SAVED……Mr. Gore, where do I send my life savings? This evil scourge must be stopped! Shame on all of you evil humans…..
July 16th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Global Warming science is now so precise that the temperature increase in the US has been pinpointed to within a mere 19 C temperature range (that’s 34 F).
My favorite part of the article is the stone zone. That is where I imagine these “researchers” go to take a smoke break.
July 16th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
If the temperature goes up that much all the burka wearing women will die of heat exhaustion. Then what will become of the devout fundamentalist muslims?