Posted on 05/17/2008 3:42:58 PM PDT by Dawnsblood
Rising global temperatures could lead to an increase in kidney stones, according to research presented 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.
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.
Nobody really knows what causes kidney stones. The last time I had one, the doctor had it analyzed and gave me a list of foods I should avoid. When I was in the military, a surgeon told me that stress was thought to be a factor. He said there was a high rate of kidney stones in pilots flying missions over Europe in WWII.
What? Isn’t Al Gore’s job as a suppository installer panning out?
Well, it hasn’t increased my strokes yet. In fact, as I age, they seem to be declining. My wife doesn’t proudly brag me up as the “2 Minute Man” anymore.
It probably caused the earthquake in China.
A. Cancer
B. Heart Disease
C. Polio
D. Arthritis
E. Strokes
or make one up yourself
Well, I've lately had an erection that's lasted more than four hours.
My understanding is that I should seek immediate medical attention.
Mrs. B. says it can wait until Monday.
I dunno. What would Al Gore do?
Did global warming bring AIDS too?!!
There wasn’t AIDS until we started driving cars and spraying hairspray! T
he “rich” and “big business” brought global warming which brought AIDS!!!!
Apparently, global warming is forcing more and more Mexicans to move north. OH MY GOD, what’re we gonna do?
Dehydration anyone?
F. Impotence
G. Constipation
H. Restless leg syndrome
Good Ones,
How about the “Heartbreak of Psoriasis” - that always had a nice ring to it..and I’ll also add “Bubonic Plague” - althought the fruitcake greens may have already done a study stating that Plague will kill at least a third of us...LOL
Its already open cleavage season here. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Do they mean - kidney stones in POLAR BEARS?
On no, it's gonna target the red voting states. But at least we'll all be stoned so it might not hurt so much.
Try to make friends with Tipper? Ask Bill Clinton to loan him a spare?
Traditional marriage leads to global warming.
Traditional religion leads to global warming.
Now global warming leads to kidney stones and toothaches and an excess amount of freckles.
Just what am I supposed to believe anymore?
Wouldn’t it be a much shorter list if they listed the things that G W doesn’t cause.
The dishes?
Back hair loss.
Global warming will increase warts.
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