This is the Disney World roller coaster that helps with kidney stones, according to experts
If you suffer from kidney stones, a trip to Disney World might be in order. A certain ride in the theme park has been found to help alleviate this problem.
Dehydration and a diet high in certain substances like salt can result in health issues, and one of them is the formation of kidney stones. Those who have them can experience symptoms that can range from mild discomfort to acute pain.
If you’re experiencing pain, over-the-counter relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can sometimes help. For some patients though, this may not be enough.
What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in the kidneys and are made up of minerals and salts. They can vary in size, and could be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball.
Kidney stones can be extremely painful as they pass through the urinary tract, causing symptoms such as severe pain in the back or side, blood in the urine, and discomfort during urination.
Sometimes you can just pass them when you urinate, but their existence can also lead to invasive procedures such as surgical removal.
A scientific study suggests that there might actually be a fun way to remove the stones from your system.
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This is the Disney World roller coaster that helps with kidney stones, according to experts
According to researchers who published a study in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, riding a rollercoaster with moderate intensity can help a person pass small kidney stones.
The study was conducted to verify reports by multiple patients that they had spontaneously passed stones when they rode the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad rollercoaster at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
One patient reported that he expelled three kidney stones on one visit to theme park- one for each of three consecutive rides he took on the rollercoaster.
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Model kidneys go on a rollercoaster ride
The researchers created a 3D model of a kidney where they placed real kidney stones and some urine, and brought it along on the rollercoaster. After analyzing data from 60 rides, they found that there was evidence to support claims that the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad rollercoaster helped people pass kidney stones.
Furthermore, they discovered that where you sit in the ride also affected results. Researchers who sat in the front of the rollercoaster had stones passing at a 17% rate, while those who were sitting in the back had an impressive passage rate of 64%.