Balneoprevention: new approaches

Varga, Csaba

doi:10.1007/s00484-010-0377-2

Cited by 20 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 15 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In conclusion, several new lines of evidence indicating a role of hydrogen sulphide as a cell messenger with cytoprotective effects anticipate promising perspectives for treatments with sulphurous mineral waters [104]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sulphurous Mineral Waters: New Applications for Health

Carbajo

Maraver

2017

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Sulphurous mineral waters have been traditionally used in medical hydrology as treatment for skin, respiratory, and musculoskeletal disorders. However, driven by recent intense research efforts, topical treatments are starting to show benefits for pulmonary hypertension, arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, ischemia-reperfusion injury, heart failure, peptic ulcer, and acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. The beneficial effects of sulphurous mineral waters, sulphurous mud, or peloids made from sulphurous mineral water have been attributed to the presence of sulphur mainly in the form of hydrogen sulphide. This form is largely available in conditions of low pH when oxygen concentrations are also low. In the organism, small amounts of hydrogen sulphide are produced by some cells where they have numerous biological signalling functions. While high levels of hydrogen sulphide are extremely toxic, enzymes in the body are capable of detoxifying it by oxidation to harmless sulphate. Hence, low levels of hydrogen sulphide may be tolerated indefinitely. In this paper, we review the chemistry and actions of hydrogen sulphide in sulphurous mineral waters and its natural role in body physiology. This is followed by an update of available data on the impacts of exogenous hydrogen sulphide on the skin and internal cells and organs including new therapeutic possibilities of sulphurous mineral waters and their peloids.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sulphurous Mineral Waters: New Applications for Health

Carbajo

Maraver

2017

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Dead Sea balneotherapy did not increase blood pressure, as shown by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Although our selection criteria identified only 18 Hungarian studies, all the remaining Hungarian papers, letters, and methodology publications appeared in important international journals (Balint and Szebenyi 1997; Bender et al 2001, 2002; Somlai et al 2007; Gerencsér et al 2010; Varga 2011; Kavasi et al 2011a, b; Varga 2012; Szendi et al 2012). The Hungarian study of underwater traction (“weight-bath”) confirmed earlier biomechanical findings (Kurutz and Bender 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence-based hydro- and balneotherapy in Hungary—a systematic review and meta-analysis

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Balneotherapy is appreciated as a traditional treatment modality in medicine. Hungary is rich in thermal mineral waters. Balneotherapy has been in extensive use for centuries and its effects have been studied in detail. Here, we present a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials conducted with Hungarian thermal mineral waters, the findings of which have been published by Hungarian authors in English. The 122 studies identified in different databases include 18 clinical trials. Five of these evaluated the effect of hydro- and balneotherapy on chronic low back pain, four on osteoarthritis of the knee, and two on osteoarthritis of the hand. One of the remaining seven trials evaluated balneotherapy in chronic inflammatory pelvic diseases, while six studies explored its effect on various laboratory parameters. Out of the 18 studies, 9 met the predefined criteria for meta-analysis. The results confirmed the beneficial effect of balneotherapy on pain with weight bearing and at rest in patients with degenerative joint and spinal diseases. A similar effect has been found in chronic pelvic inflammatory disease. The review also revealed that balneotherapy has some beneficial effects on antioxidant status, and on metabolic and inflammatory parameters. Based on the results, we conclude that balneotherapy with Hungarian thermal-mineral waters is an effective remedy for lower back pain, as well as for knee and hand osteoarthritis.

show abstract

“…The basis of the ''organic hypothesis'' of medical balneology is that medicinal waters, especially thermal spa and hot spring waters, contain a high variability of organic components with possible biological effects [1][2][3]. If exact evidence supported this concept, it could initiate a paradigm shift of healing exclusively by the salts and gases of spa waters, in the classical hypothesis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%