Scientists announced Thursday that studies have revealed rising global temperatures may increase the incidences of kidney stones because global warming will probably increase incidences of dehydration, and dehydration has been linked to stone disease, particularly in warmer climates.
Researchers say that as the prevalence of kidney stone disease increases so will the costs of treating the condition and the impact will be felt in the United. States.
The data is being presented at the upcoming 103rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association in Orlando, Florida.
In the United States, global warming could increase the number of kidney stone cases by one to two million, according to a statement from the American Urological Association on Thursday.
Already the incidences of kidney stones in the United States are higher in the so called "Stone Belt" region in the South. The reason is the South's hotter weather contributes to higher incidences of dehydration and the region's high-salt diet make patients susceptible to forming kidney stones, according to information on the New Orleans-based Oschner Kidney Stone Clinic website.
The Oschner clinic organization is a non-profit Medicare-approved kidney heart, lung, liver and pancreas transplant center.
