From asthma, kidney stones, and deafness – these are the major controversial health issues associated with roller coaster rides.
The Benefits
The incidents with Wartinger’s patients passing kidney stones after their rollercoaster rides bewildered us all. That girl who was temporarily deaf got her hearing back after riding the Rita, Queen Of Speed roller coaster at Alton Towers. Twenty-five asthmatic women got temporary relief from their shortness of breath when they rode the roller coaster. These are the incredible positive results of riding a roller coaster.
If you are familiar with the pain associated with kidney stones, Dr. Wartinger’s news about his study probably came as a big surprise.
The Rollercoaster-Kidney Stone Experiment
Scientists from Michigan State University revealed the findings about the kidney stone experiment. There were patients who testified that after riding Walt Disney World’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, it let them pass the stones.
These stones are developed when there’s too much waste residue in the blood. Some examples are uric acid and calcium. These tend to turn into solid stone-like crystals. Usually, people who don’t drink enough fluids are the ones who are likely to experience this condition.
There are stones that are quite small (4mm in diameter or less) and can be passed in urine. However, the larger stones are the ones that can’t be passed and they need to be broken up through ultrasound or laser technology.
The Michigan researchers conducted an experiment which involves riding the roller coaster all day and carrying a replica of the patient’s kidney (the one who passed stones after riding Walt Disney’s Mountain Railroad). The replica was loaded with urine and stones.
The ride’s movement displaced the stones – the rattles, turns, ups and downs caused the stones to dislodge. Another factor to consider: the location of your seat. The researchers found that where you sit during the ride affects the number of stones passed. If you sit at the back, this is where it shifts the most.
This is quite a factor to consider. Rides, especially roller coasters, are more known to cause injury or accidents. However, the list of benefits doesn’t really end here.
The Roller Coaster-Tumour Incident
Based on a report from the dailymail.uk, a British woman on a family holiday in Florida rode the roller coaster, The Incredible Hulk. Sally Dare experienced headaches and blurred vision after the ride. She says, “It was a pretty forceful ride and I was thrown about and my head was banged quite a lot. I felt awful afterwards, but the headaches just seemed like others I’d had, so I thought nothing of it.”
It took a serious turn though when her arms tingled, she became really dizzy, her eyesight got worse, and she couldn’t remember some words. Sally’s doctor told her to consult a neurosurgeon. She was then diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, 2cm in size. It was removed immediately.
Sally states, “Usually, they can go undetected until they are inoperable and the size of a tangerine.”
She added, “Who would have thought a holiday would trigger something like this? Going on the rollercoaster helped me. But I don’t think I will ever set foot on one again.” The ride dislodged the tumor which then put pressure on her brain and caused the symptoms to appear early.
This is a surprising turn of events. Who would have thought roller coasters could help people with tumours?
The post Roller Coasters Can Change Your Life: Health Benefits With These Rides appeared first on NUTRITION CLUB CANADA.
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