The influence of speleotherapy combined with pulmonary rehabilitation on functional fitness in older adults – preliminary report

Mętel, Sylwia; Kostrzon, Magdalena; Adamiak, Justyna; Gattner, Halina; Kościelecka, Dominika; Sosulska, Angelika; Szczygieł, Elżbieta; Golec, Joanna

doi:10.1177/1753466620926952

Cited by 16 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…The air in caves also contains anti-inflammatory calcium, magnesium, and iodine ions that are most beneficial to patients with respiratory disease [ 33 ]. Speleotherapy is a more efficient and effective treatment than the sanatorium of mountains, complemented with various other therapies [ 40 ]. Historically, many caves in Hungary have been used to treat different respiratory diseases.…”

Section: Medical Perspectives Of Cavesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cave Microbes as a Potential Source of Drugs Development in the Modern Era

et al. 2021

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The world is constantly facing threats, including the emergence of new pathogens and antibiotic resistance among extant pathogens, which is a matter of concern. Therefore, the need for natural and effective sources of drugs is inevitable. The ancient and pristine ecosystems of caves contain a unique microbial world and could provide a possible source of antimicrobial metabolites. The association between humans and caves is as old as human history itself. Historically, cave environments have been used to treat patients with respiratory tract infections, which is referred to as speleotherapy. Today, the pristine environment of caves that comprise a poorly explored microbial world is a potential source of antimicrobial and anticancer drugs. Oligotrophic conditions in caves enhance the competition among microbial communities, and unique antimicrobial agents may be used in this competition. This review suggests that the world needs a novel and effective source of drug discovery. Therefore, being the emerging spot of modern human civilization, caves could play a crucial role in the current medical crisis, and cave microorganisms may have the potential to produce novel antimicrobial and anticancer drugs.

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Section: Medical Perspectives Of Cavesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cave Microbes as a Potential Source of Drugs Development in the Modern Era

et al. 2021

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“…Research conducted by [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ] proves that the microclimate of underground salt chambers and therapy in such places have beneficial effects on the respiratory system and may even cause gradual restoration of health and functional efficiency of many physiological systems. One of the treatment methods belonging to the climatotherapeutic methods is subterraneotherapy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Properties of Particulate Matter in the Air of the Wieliczka Salt Mine and Related Health Benefits for Tourists

Bralewska

Mucha

Badyda

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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This study aimed to evaluate the mass concentration of size-resolved (PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10, PM100) particulate matter (PM) in the Wieliczka Salt Mine located in southern Poland, compare them with the concentrations of the same PM fractions in the atmospheric air, and estimate the dose of dry salt aerosol inhaled by the mine visitors. Measurements were conducted for 2 hours a day, simultaneously inside (tourist route, passage to the health resort, health resort) and outside the mine (duty-room), for three days in the summer of 2017 using DustTrak DRX devices (optical method). The highest average PM concentrations were recorded on the tourist route (54–81 µg/m3), while the lowest was in the passage to the health resort (49–62 µg/m3). At the same time, the mean outdoor PM concentrations were 14–20 µg/m3. Fine particles constituting the majority of PM mass (68–80%) in the mine originated from internal sources, while the presence of coarse particles was associated with tourist traffic. High PM deposition factors in the respiratory tract of children and adults estimated for particular mine chambers (0.58–0.70), the predominance of respirable particles in PM mass, and the high content of NaCl in PM composition indicate high health benefits for mine visitors.

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“…The air in salt mines is characterized by high microclimate quality, high concentration of sodium chloride, high microbiological purity, negative ionization, and low level of natural radioactivity (Calin et al 2012;Kostrzon et al 2015a;Wiszniewski 2015). Therapeutic stay in salt mines is recommended for people suffering from chronic disorders such as bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Obtułowicz 2013;Kostrzon et al, 2015bKostrzon et al, , 2019Mętel et al 2020). Although the mechanism responsible for the therapeutic effects of subterranean therapy on the human body has not yet been explained in detail, the presence of salt spray in the atmosphere of sanatoriums in salt mines is definitely considered to be beneficial.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although some authors consider halotherapy to be an uncertain and unproven treatment (Shah and Greenberger 2012;Sandell et al 2013), sanatorium and halotherapy activities continue to be developed in salt mines (Simionca 2013;Kostrzon et al 2019;Mętel et al 2020). Recent studies on the discussion of the suitability of the underground aerosol of salt mines in respiratory treatment have focused mostly on bioaerosol and microbiological purity in the atmosphere of salt mines (Frączek and Grzyb 2010;Grzyb and Frączek 2010;Frączek et al 2013;Gębarowska et al 2018;Myszkowska et al 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Origin, distribution, and perspective health benefits of particulate matter in the air of underground salt mine: a case study from Bochnia, Poland

Puławska

Manecki

Flasza

et al. 2021

Environ Geochem Health

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The composition and distribution of airborne particles in different locations in a salt mine were determined in terms of their origin, the distance from the air inlet, and the adaptation of post-mining chambers and corridors for tourists and general audience. The composition of aerosols in air was also evaluated from the perspective of human health. Air samples were collected on filters by using portable air pumps, in a historical underground salt mine in Bochnia (Poland), which is currently a touristic and recreation attraction and sanatorium. The particulate matter (PM) concentration was determined using the gravimetric method by weighing quartz filters. The content of carbon, water-soluble constituents, trace elements, and minerals was also determined. A genetic classification of the suspended matter was proposed and comprised three groups: geogenic (fragments of rock salt and associated minerals from the deposit), anthropogenic (carbon-bearing particles from tourist traffic and small amounts of fly ash, soot, and rust), and biogenic particles (occasional pollen). The total PM concentration in air varied between 21 and 79 μg/m3 (with PM4 constituting 4–24 μg/m3). The amount of atmospheric dust components coming from the surface was low and decreased with the distance from the intake shaft, thus indicating the self-cleaning process. NaCl dominated the water-soluble constituents, while Fe, Al, Ag, Mn, and Zn dominated the trace elements, with the concentration of majority of them below 30 ng/m3. These metals are released into air from both natural sources and the wear or/and corrosion of mining and tourists facilities in the underground functional space. No potentially toxic elements or constituents were detected. The presence of salt particles and salty spray in the atmosphere of salt mine, which may have anti-inflammatory and antiallergic properties, is beneficial to human health. This study will allow for a broader look at the potential of halotherapy in underground salt mines from a medical and regulatory point of view.

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The influence of speleotherapy combined with pulmonary rehabilitation on functional fitness in older adults – preliminary report

Cited by 16 publications

References 15 publications

Cave Microbes as a Potential Source of Drugs Development in the Modern Era

Cave Microbes as a Potential Source of Drugs Development in the Modern Era

Properties of Particulate Matter in the Air of the Wieliczka Salt Mine and Related Health Benefits for Tourists

Origin, distribution, and perspective health benefits of particulate matter in the air of underground salt mine: a case study from Bochnia, Poland

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