Speleotherapy is one of the methods of non-drug rehabilitation and treatment of respiratory organs using the microclimate of underground salt mines and solutional caves. It is based on a course of procedures in specialized rooms, the conditions of which are close to the famous Solotvinsky natural salt cave.
The method of treatment carried out through a long stay in the microclimate of caves or salt mines has been known for more than 2500 years, thanks to the found salt terms in Sicily. It is described in the ancient epics of India how warriors regained their strength surrounded by being underground in salt grottoes.
The main therapeutic factor of speleotherapy is rock- salt (sodium chlorine). Its smallest particles of 1 – 5 microns in size penetrate into the most remote parts of the bronchial tree, and provide, broncho drainage, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory effect on the respiratory tract improving the overall defense of the body. Improving drainage function and reducing inflammation of breathing passages, it contributes to a decrease in a bronchial hyperreactivity and a decrease in bronchismus of the component.
Salt chamber (halotherapy).
A worthy alternative for the original speleotherapy. Today it is an artificially recreated microclimate of salt mines in combination of a treatment environment with dry salt aerosol of a necessary concentration (14-16 mg / m3). This treatment method is called “halotherapy” (or salt chamber) and, in addition, it has a number of significant advantages and is the only scientifically based method in Ukraine.
The main treatment advantages of a salt chamber, next to reproducing of treatment environment in any place. There is a possibility to control some of essential parameters of artificial microclimate, it can significantly increase the effectiveness of treatment as well as expand the list of medical indications for using this method. And, of course, correcting the environment, we can direct the influence of halotherapy on certain disease process, with individualization of the effect relatively to the pathology of a particular patient.
The main therapeutic factor is a highly dispersed salt aerosol with a particle size of 0.4 – 5 microns, which is optimal for penetration into all parts of the respiratory tract. Getting to the respiratory tract and skin, negatively charged particles of dry salt aerosol, cause irritation to nerve endings, partially penetrate into circulatory system, normalize function of the ciliated epithelium of bronchus, stimulate the response of alveolar macrophages, enhancing their functional activity, which causes bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects on microflora of respiratory tract, improve the flow properties of bronchial contents; improve drainage function of the bronchus, facilitate the discharge of sputum, providing a decrease in its viscosity, facilitate cough mechanism. The artificially created microclimate of salt chamber has an antiseptic and disinfecting effect on the mucus of the respiratory tracts and skin due to large amount of sodium chloride aerosol, which has an antiviral, bactericidal and antifungal effect.
In the salt chamber of ‘СRYSHTALEVE DZHERELO’ sanatorium, the microclimate is created with a help of blocks of salt on the walls and ceiling of the room and a modern, highly efficient halogenator that produces an aerosol of sodium chloride. And the following three principles are important for the successful application of halotherapy:
- The institution to a patient necessary concentration of salt aerosol is carried out by a medical specialist.
- Part of respiratory fraction of the aerosol (0.5-5 microns) exceeds 95%.
- The target concentration is maintained automatically throughout the session.
In addition, the halochamber (salt chamber) in our sanatorium differs significantly from previous generations in low noise, aesthetics of facilities, and a high degree of electrical safety.
Indications:
- spasmodic asthma with any clinical phenotype course;
- chronic obstructive bronchitis;
- other chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases
- recurrent bronchitis;
- acute bronchitis (more than 2 weeks)
- silicosis,
- vasculomotor and allergic rhinopathies;
- chronic pharyngitis;
- chronic and acute tubootitis;
- atopic eczema in the stabilization stage;
- psoriasis in the stabilization stage;
- eczema;
- seborrhea adiposa;
- pustular skin lesions, acne.
For the purpose of prevention:
- Frequent ARVI, flue.
- Frequent acute bronchitis, pneumonia.
- Chronic diseases of the upper air passages.
- pollen fever.
- Cough related to smoking, influence of industrial pollutants.
Contraindications:
- Severe recrudescence of respiratory disease.
- flue, ARVI with high fever, intoxication.
- blood expectoration.
- after having pulmonary tuberculosis with residual functional changes.
- after having lung abscess with residual effects.
- Emphysema, diffuse pulmonary fibrosis with signs of a chronic pulmonary failure III st.
- idiopathic hypertensia III st.
- Chronic cardiac insufficiency II B – III st.
- Acute renal disorder.
- Presence or suspicion of neoformation.
