All articles tagged with #cold water
A 64-year-old woman with chronic sinusitis developed benign bone growths in her sinuses, likely caused by years of cold-water sinus rinses, which were discovered during treatment for a bacterial infection. The growths, similar to 'surfer's ear,' did not require removal, and she was advised to avoid cold water to prevent further issues.
A Texas bodybuilder has been hospitalized over 20 times due to a rare heart condition triggered by drinking cold water, which was later diagnosed as a genetic aberration causing atrial fibrillation. The condition, exacerbated by high-intensity activities like weightlifting, led to fainting spells and palpitations. After an ablation procedure to cauterize the connection between the vagus nerve and the heart, the bodybuilder has made a full recovery and no longer experiences adverse reactions to water.
A Texas bodybuilder has been hospitalized over 20 times due to a rare heart condition triggered by drinking cold water, which was later discovered to be caused by a genetic aberration leading to atrial fibrillation. The condition, exacerbated by high-intensity activities like weightlifting, caused him to faint. After genetic tests and an ablation procedure, he has made a full recovery and no longer experiences fainting spells when drinking water.
A 35-year-old bodybuilder from Texas suffered from heart failure triggered by drinking ice cold water after workouts, leading to more than a dozen hospital visits. Doctors traced the problem to the stimulation of the vagus nerve in his throat, causing erratic heartbeats. He underwent a procedure to cauterize the connection between the nerve and his heart, allowing him to now drink cold water without any issues. The condition was linked to his genetic heart condition, making atrial fibrillation more likely due to increased pressure on the heart.
A Houston man, Franklin Aribeana, underwent heart surgery after a sip of cold water triggered a gene mutation causing atrial fibrillation. The incident led to years of emergency room visits and medication. Aribeana's story is being used to raise awareness about the rare symptoms of atrial fibrillation and the importance of seeking medical attention when experiencing unusual sensations.
A study from University College London found that menopausal women who regularly swim in cold water reported significant improvements in physical and mental health, with many experiencing relief from symptoms such as anxiety, mood swings, and hot flashes. The researchers noted that caution should be taken when cold water swimming due to potential risks such as hypothermia and water quality concerns. More research is needed to determine the frequency, duration, temperature, and exposure required to reduce menopause symptoms, and the study also looked at the effects of cold water swimming on women who still have menstrual symptoms.
As Sacramento experiences triple-digit temperatures and its hottest day of the year, officials are warning against swimming in local rivers due to cold water temperatures and fast flows. The National Weather Service advises wearing a life jacket if entering the rivers. The heat wave, caused by a high-pressure system, has prompted an excessive heat warning. While hot air temperatures persist, the river waters remain cold due to melt from the record snow pack. Water temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees can cause muscle stiffness and difficulty breathing. Local government officials have cautioned about the dangers of fast-moving, cold rivers, and rafting companies are not renting out equipment. Signs of heat exhaustion include dizziness and nausea, and if someone does not cool down, they may develop heat stroke and require immediate medical attention.
When packing for a surf trip, it's important to bring essential medical supplies to handle potential emergencies. For cold water trips, items like a Nalgene for hot water, a hat, warm beverages, earplugs, and skin buffer are recommended. In tropical climates, sunburn treatment (aloe vera and ibuprofen), Imodium for diarrhea, bug spray, and Neosporin for reef cuts are essential. While encounters with dangerous ocean life are unlikely, it's important to be prepared for common ailments and injuries that can occur while surfing.
The vagus nerve, which is linked to gut and heart health as well as mood, can be stimulated to improve vagal tone and overall well-being. While invasive methods like implantable vagus nerve stimulators exist, there are also non-invasive approaches such as nutrition, exercise, and psychological stress management. Cold water exposure has been found to increase parasympathetic tone and heart rate variability, leading to better vagal activity. However, it's important to consult a physician before trying any new habits that may affect the vagus nerve.
Coastal cities in California have been experiencing an unusually cold and gloomy spring and early summer due to a thick marine layer caused by very cold water along the coast. The marine layer has often extended well inland and to higher elevations, enshrouding mountain roads and communities. While the cool and cloudy weather is expected to continue in June, there are signs that a shift is on the horizon, with summer heat potentially arriving in July.
A kayaker, Travis Valenti, is presumed dead after his kayak began sinking and he disappeared into near-freezing water while kayaking with his fiancée on Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park in Washington state. Neither of them were wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident. Valenti's fiancée was able to swim to shore to alert staff from the nearby Log Cabin Resort that her partner had become submerged and was struggling to swim back. Rangers searched for Valenti by vessel for more than 2-hours but were unable to locate him.
Czech free-diver David Vencl set a new Guinness World Record by plunging 170 feet below Switzerland’s Lake Sils without a wetsuit. Vencl emerged from the same hole after 1 minute and 54 seconds, spat out some blood and opened a bottle of champagne. The water was between 33.8 and 39.2 degrees when Vencl took the plunge. Vencl later visited a hospital to confirm the record-breaking dive hadn’t posed any serious risk. This is Vencl's second Guinness World Record, the first being in 2021 after swimming the 265-foot length of an iced-over Czech lake with just one breath.