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Unconventional Therapy Roller coaster driving helps against painful kidney stones
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. American scientists have now found in a study that also roller coaster driving against kidney stones can help.
Drink plenty of water
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 the stones, it is especially advised to drink a lot. But it also depends on the right diet. In studies showed: plant diet protects against kidney stones. American researchers have now found a much more fun way to prevent it: roller coaster driving.
People who suffer from kidney stones are usually advised to drink a lot to excrete the stones with urine. Roller coasters can also help, as US physicians now discovered. (Image: johnmerlin / fotolia.com) Roller coaster ride against kidney stones
Earlier this year, researchers from the US reported that more and more young people are suffering from kidney stones. The physicians suggested that the increase in disease is triggered by insufficient water intake. German experts also see it this way: too little drinking produces kidney stones. It also depends on what is being drunk, because sugar-containing soft drinks and similar drinks favor kidney stones.
Health experts say most kidney stones are excreted by themselves with the urine. They are therefore rarely removed surgically. Drinking a lot is one of the methods to support the spontaneous release of stones. Also, roller coaster driving can help, as US researchers have noted.
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 Disneyland (Orlando, Florida), the roller coaster that Wartinger's patients reported so uncommonly.
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. (Ad)