High-Tech Thrill Ride Offers Aid in Eliminating Kidney Stones
Heading to a theme park is usually all about fun and excitement, but for some unlucky individuals dealing with kidney stones, it might just become their new go-to for relief. Yes, you read that right – a roller coaster ride could potentially help you pass those pesky kidneys stones naturally.
The unexpected connection between theme parks and kidney stone relief first surfaced when Dr. David Wartinger, a professor at Michigan State University, noticed a strange pattern among his patients. Several of them reported effortlessly passing their kidney stones after hopping on a particular roller coaster. One patient even claimed to have successfully passed three stones after multiple rides. Intrigued by this bizarre yet consistent story, Wartinger decided to delve deeper and conduct a full-fledged investigation.
To test this unusual phenomenon, Wartinger teamed up with Dr. Marc Mitchell and carried out an experiment using a 3D-printed replica of a human kidney. They filled the model with urine and real kidney stones of various sizes, replicating conditions inside an actual human kidney. Armed with the kidney in a backpack, they embarked on 20 thrilling rides on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disney World.
The results? Positioning on the roller coaster mattered significantly. Passengers in the back row of the roller coaster had a 64% chance of passing the stone during the ride, while passengers in the front row had only a 17% chance.
While this may have you racing to book your next Disney trip, it's not as simple as that. Not all roller coasters are created equal when it comes to kidney stone relief. Wartinger's team expanded their study, testing 174 kidney stones of different shapes and sizes on multiple roller coasters. Surprisingly, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was the only one that worked.
But why? Wartinger suggests that high-intensity rides with excessive G-force actually pin kidney stones in place, preventing them from moving. "The ideal roller coaster for kidney stone passage is rough, quick, and full of twists and turns-but not too extreme," Wartinger explained.
The physics behind Big Thunder Mountain's success lies in its unique combination of moderate speed, abrupt turns, and vibrations. Unlike smoother rides or those with intense loops, this particular roller coaster provides just the right level of motion to dislodge stones from the kidney's nooks and crannies.
This aligns with a fundamental physics principle: resonance. The ride's shaking mimics the natural movements that help kidney stones exit the body, only in a much shorter timeframe. Think of it as a natural kidney cleanse, but way more fun.
While this study provides a low-cost, non-invasive potential remedy for kidney stones, doctors caution that more research is needed. Trials involving actual patients must confirm the findings before the method can be officially recommended in clinical settings. However, for those who find themselves at Disney World with a kidney stone and who meet the ride's requirements, it might just be an enjoyable and practical option for treatment.
So, the next time you're at a theme park, you might want to take a ride – not for the adrenaline rush, but for a chance at pain relief. Just remember, if you're sitting on the back row of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, you could be one step closer to passing that pesky kidney stone.
[1] Overall, riding roller coasters, particularly Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, is reported to potentially help sufferers pass kidney stones due to the ride's vibrations and jolts. Studies and health sources suggest that the physical jolts and vibrations from the roller coaster may help dislodge or move the kidney stones through the urinary tract.
[2] This unusual approach, while gaining attention as a curious but plausible natural aid for kidney stone sufferers, should not replace medical treatment.
[3] Sitting in the back row of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is reported to potentially increase the likelihood of passing kidney stones by offering a bumpier and more jolting ride.
[4] The mechanism behind this is that the physical jolts and vibrations from the roller coaster may help dislodge or move the kidney stones through the urinary tract.
[5] Studies and health sources suggest that the intense shaking and bouncing on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad can aid in moving kidney stones along, increasing the chances of passing them naturally.
- The intensity of a roller coaster ride, such as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, may potentially help individuals with chronic kidney diseases pass their kidney stones due to its vibrations and jolts, acting as a natural aid for dislodging stones in the urinary tract.
- It is crucial to note that while this unusual approach to treating kidney stones presents an intriguing possibility, it should not replace medical treatment and further research is required to confirm its effectiveness.
- For those eligible to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, sitting in the back row could potentially increase the likelihood of passing kidney stones, as the bumpy and jolting ride may help move the stones along and increase the chances of passing them naturally.
