Spectacular study roller coaster ride against kidney stones

Researcher Award: Roller coaster driving can help against kidney stones

According to a scientific study by American researchers, roller coaster driving against kidney stones can help. The authors of the somewhat older study have now been awarded the Ig Nobel Prize for Medicine. Although it is a humorous award, it should not make fun of the scientific achievement.

Patients often have severe pain

Kidney stones can be associated with severe pain. In some cases they have to be surgically removed, but often simple means to get rid of the stones are enough. For example, US scientists have found in a study that even roller coaster driving against kidney stones can help. The authors were recently awarded the Ig Nobel Prize in Medicine for these findings.

US researchers have found roller coaster ride against kidney stones can help. This recognition has now been awarded the Ig Nobel Prize in Medicine. (Image: johnmerlin / fotolia.com)

What helps against kidney stones

According to the German Society of Urology (DGU) and the Professional Association of German Urologists (BDU), almost every 20th German citizen suffers from kidney stones "once or several times in life".

In order to prevent it should be paid attention to a sufficient fluid intake. Because too little drinking favors kidney stones.

It also depends on what is being drunk, because sugar-containing soft drinks and similar drinks increase the risk of kidney stones.

The right diet also plays a role. In studies showed: plant diet protects against kidney stones.

However, if kidney stones have formed, they are usually eliminated from the urine alone. They are therefore rarely removed surgically.

The spontaneous stone outlet can be supported by an increased hydration. Or by roller coaster, as US researchers have found.

Shaking helps to eliminate stones

According to Professor David Wartinger of Michigan State University (USA), jogging during a roller coaster ride helps humans naturally quench kidney stones with urine.

The annoying deposits disappear before they cause serious health problems.

The expert came up with the idea that this method might help, after patients told him that they had lost kidney stones after a ride on the roller coaster, according to a statement from the university.

"I even had a patient who said he had lost three different stones after he drove it several times," said the doctor.

Twisted 20 rounds with silicone kidney

To find out what the patient's claims are, Wartinger conducted an experiment with his colleagues, using a 3-D printer to make a kidney silicone model of one of those patients.

This was filled with three kidney stones and urine.

They then made a total of 20 laps on the "Big Thunder Mountain Railroad" at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, the rollercoaster that Wartinger's patients reported so unusual.

Various factors play a role

The scientists found that the movements in different directions caused the body to excrete the kidney stones more easily with the urine.

The effect also depends on the size and starting position of the stones.

In addition, the seat played a role, as the researchers in the journal "Journal of the American Osteopathic Association" reported. According to the experts, the ride should not be too intense.

Researchers were awarded the Ig Nobel Prize for Medicine

Professor Wartinger and his research colleague Marc Mitchell have now been awarded the Ig Nobel Prize for Medicine for their interesting findings.

The Ig Nobel Prize, awarded for ten different categories according to a BBC report, is awarded every year at Harvard University in Cambridge, USA.

It is an award for research that should make people laugh and then think. However, it is not about making fun of science.

According to the BBC, these are always actual studies, many of which have also been published in journals. (Ad)