The Myth: Peeing On A Jellyfish Sting Will Relieve Pain.

It is a safe bet to say that about 70% of people today have heard the myth that if they were to get stung by a jellyfish, they should have someone pee on it to relieve symptoms of stinging and swelling. Opposite to popular belief, peeing on a jellyfish sting does not relieve stinging or swelling, yet has been shown to increase such symptoms and worsen the severity of the jellyfish sting (Fact or Fiction).

  

           It is unclear as to the point in which peeing on a jellyfish sting became a popular belief, yet several factors in history aided in the vast following of such belief. The term “urine therapy” is a common form of alternative medicine in which human urine is used for medical or cosmetic application. The use of urine for medicinal purposes dates back to ancient times, reportedly used in Rome, Christianity, Hinduism, and France, to whiten teeth, cure sores, cancer and disease, and strep throat.

Though urine therapy may have supported the belief that peeing on a jellyfish sting is beneficial, nothing influenced its vast following than the television show FRIENDS. In 1997, FRIENDS, a television show that grossed over 15 million viewers aired an episode in which one of the characters, Monica, got stung by a jellyfish on a beach trip. Joey, another character mentioned watching a documentary in which peeing on a jellyfish sting would lessen the pain. In the episode, Joey and Chandler urinate on her jellyfish sting, and Monica was cured (Curtin, C. 2007). Since television is such an influential source of media in today’s era, society took this episode as fact, thus the myth was created.

Skewed Science Backing

               There are some scientific truths about urine that may positively influence the belief of peeing on a jellyfish sting as a remedy, thus continuing its popular belief. According to wiseGeek, urine is ph-balanced, non-toxic, anti-viral and anti-bacterial. This allows it to be the perfect remedy for acne, cuts, abrasions, wounds, and infections of the skin. Another scientific reason, by which people believe this myth, yet lack proper interpretation, is due to urine containing uric acid. People believe that uric acid is used to neutralize pain since other acids such as baking soda, alcohol, and vinegar do so. Urine is mostly freshwater regardless of how much uric acid it contains. Freshwater on a jellyfish sting will disrupt the ph-balance, causing the nematocysts to flare and release more venom (aquaviews.net). These true, yet misrepresented facts about urine are suggested to be the basis for why people believed this myth to be true in the past as well as in today’s society.

                 Jellyfish stings are a common occurrence estimating at 150 million cases every year. The symptoms range from skin inflammation, itching, burning sensation, rash, and erythematic wheals. When a jellyfish stings, cells release venom containing neurotoxic peptides, bioactive lipids, and pore forming toxins (Tibballs, et al, 2011). These cells contain nematocysts, which are distributed throughout the entire tentacle. After the initial sting from a jellyfish, nematocysts can still be on the skin. Pressure from pulling them off can induce more venom to be secreted causing more pain (Curtin, C, 2007). Urinating on the sting will also cause more venom to be released because; urine will disrupt the ph-balance between the inside and outside of the cell. Since nematocysts are accustomed to salt water, urine being freshwater will only agitate the nematocysts resulting in further discharge of venom. Another complication occurred by peeing on a jellyfish sting suggest bacteria from the urethra as urine leaves the body can cause infection.

                                      Photo credit: iStock

             With research and proper utilization of scientific evidence, one can deem peeing on a jellyfish sting, a myth that if followed, can cause more damage than believed. Suggested treatment for jellyfish stings involve rising with salt water, which does not disrupt the ph-balance of the nematocysts, and the use of vinegar which has been proven to inhibit nematocysts discharge. Fortunately many sources online have disputed the myth, giving scientific evidence suggesting alternate beneficial forms of treatment. Even with suggestions leading away from peeing on jellyfish stings, many people who have experienced the occurrence first hand report feeling relief from urine on the sting. Thus, continuing the myth’s common popular following.

 Curtin, C. (Jan, 4, 2007). Fact or Fiction? Urinating on a Jellyfish Sting is an Effective Treatment. Scientific American. Retrieved from

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=fact-or-fiction-urinating

Tibballs, J., A Yanagihara, Angel, C Turner, Helen, & Winkel, K. (2011).

Immunological and Toxinological Responses to Jellyfish Stings. Inflammation And Allergy- Drug Targets, 10(5), 438-446.

Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152811797200650

Is soda really good?

Do you drink soda? What is your favorite? Do you know the negative effects of it? A research shows that in the U.S, about 25,000 deaths in 2010 were linked to drinking sugar sweetened beverages. Most people don't know how dangerous drinking soda can actually be. In most families soda is the norm. It tastes good, therefore it is good. Knowing some side effects of soda can help you live a healthy life.

Image from  gethealthysmc.org

Kidney

The kidneys are important excretory organs of the body. Carbonated soft drinks always include an amount of minerals, additives, colorants , preservatives ... these substances go into the body causing damage to the kidneys , and increase the risk of kidney stones . In an article published on Health.com, Dr. Anil Agarwal, a kidney specialist at the Ohio State University stated, “The new study suggests that even individuals with normal kidney function are at risk for damage if they drink too much soda".

Diabetes

Researchers studied diet and drinking habits of about 28,500 people from different countries over a period of 15 years discovered that people who consumed a 12 oz serving of a sugared-beverage on average daily — about the size of a soda can — had a greater risk of developing diabetes compared to people who drank a can once a month or less (Time).

Teeth damage

Sugar isn't the only thing in soda that is bad for teeth, but the acids included in many soft drinks eat away enamel and make teeth more vulnerable. Adults who drink three or more sodas a day have worse dental health, says a University of Michigan analysis of dental checkup data. Soda drinkers had far greater decay, more missing teeth, and more fillings.

Obesity

You may think that “I drink diet coke with no sugar or calories. That’s the perfect way to lose weight.” Not really true. According to a lifehack.org article, artificial sweeteners trigger insulin, which sends your body into fat storage mode and leads to weight gain. One study found that for each additional 12-ounce soda children consumed each day, the odds of becoming obese increased by 60% during 1½ years of follow-up.

Heart

According to University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and at Columbia University Medical Center, individuals who drink diet soft drinks on a daily basis may be at increased risk of suffering vascular events such as stroke, heart attack, and vascular death. Their study found that diet soda devotees were 43 percent more likely to have experienced a vascular event than those who drank none.

Bones

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, roughly 55 percent of Americans, mostly women, are at risk of developing the brittle-bone disease, which leaves bones dry, weak, and more likely to fracture. "The more cola that women drank, the lower their bone mineral density was," said Katherine Tucker, study author and director of the Epidemiology and Dietary Assessment Program at Tufts University (abcnews.com).

Of course, soda has become a popular drink and it's unlikely that you are going to quit drinking it altogether. But you can decrease your chances of suffering from those damages by limiting the amount of soda that you drink every day. I'm not sure if i ever drank coke with milk together in the past, but after watching the video below I swear that I will never do it.