Asthma - Climatic therapy in the gall can help

Allergen-free breathing air in the thermal tunnel reduces seizures

06/18/2014

A bad cough goes through the body, breathing is difficult and the air is scarce - this is how an asthma attack feels. About ten percent of children and five percent of adults regularly suffer from shortness of breath, which often feels life threatening. Asthma is a complex disease in which numerous genetic and environmental factors interact. A special form of climate therapy that has been known and rediscovered for over 100 years is the tunnel or cave therapy in natural caves or former mines. As in the high mountains and at the sea less pollen fly there. Underground, there is even a virtually dust and pollen-free atmosphere.

Radon heat therapy in former mines once again occupies a special position among climate therapies. In addition to the beneficial climatic conditions radon naturally emerges from the rock. For therapeutic use, asthmatics drive with a pull on the therapy stations. "Patients take about a one-hour therapy unit, they spend lying down, the noble gas on the skin and lungs in low quantities," says Univ.-Doz. Dr. Bertram Hölzl, radon expert and medical director of the Gasteiner Heilstollen. "In the body, it has been proven to be immune-stabilizing and anti-inflammatory, thus addressing the levels that medical professionals consider to be causes of chronic respiratory disease." The prevailing climate in Radonthermalstollen is interesting for asthmatics by another effect: high humidity and temperatures above 37.5 degrees lead to the so-called hyperthermia effect, which triggers a kind of desired therapeutic fever in the body. Experts agree that this is so important for those affected, anticonvulsant effect.

The particularly clean breathing air typical of studs additionally contributes to the respiratory recovery. In the tunnel, rocks, rock walls and hairy mountain cracks under the earth act as large natural filters and moisten the air that penetrates the earth's surface. In addition to pollen, hair, fibers and other allergy-causing substances are also missing pathogenic fungi and spores. This stable air purity with almost complete absence of airborne dust and allergen and the high humidity have anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, mucous and antispasmodic. "The 70 to 100 percent saturated with moisture air calms the bronchial mucosa," says Dr. Hölzl. "Patients report after a three-week course on a lasting improvement in symptoms and significantly lower cortisone need," Hölzl. "Seizures and infections occur much less frequently." The effect of cave therapy on asthma is also scientifically proven. After staying in the Heilstollen, the lung function values ​​improve measurably. (Pm)