Health Resorts

A resort specialist is a specialist with a higher medical education who studies the effects of environmental factors on the human body.

Since ancient times, the upper strata of society have been available resorts, where people rested, amused and created, we call so, clubs of interest. Such places were not accessible to ordinary people, and getting there was extremely difficult and very fashionable. After a time, namely after the Great October Revolution, in the countries of the Soviet Union the government began to take care of the health of the working class and such resorts became available to almost everyone. They began to receive not only relaxation from hard working days, but also to treat chronic diseases, as well as to prevent diseases and increase overall immunity. It was at that time there was a need to create a special science, which was called very simply - balneology (from two words: resort - the direct meaning of the word and -ology - science). Resortology is a science that studies the effects of various physical properties on the body as a whole and on specific human diseases. Doctors in this area are called balneologists.

Who is a balneologist?

The spa specialist develops an individual treatment regimen for the patient or prepares a plan for preventive procedures to restore the patient's health. Resortologists usually work with various research institutes involved in studying the properties and effects of natural resources on humans.

One of the earliest scientific research institutes in the USSR was the Central Institute of Balneology. ON. Semashko. In Ukraine, such a research institute is located in Odessa and it is engaged in the study of balneology and physical rehabilitation.

When should I go to the resort?

To resorts should be consulted with the appointment of a restorative package of activities after the operations, acute diseases, as well as the presence of chronic sluggish diseases. It is also advisable to consult this specialist in planning medical rest, since it is he who can assess whether you personally have this or that climate.

What tests should I take when I call on the balneologist?

At the planned reference to the resort it is desirable complex planned inspection on presence of diseases in the acute period. The generally accepted studies include:

• general blood analysis;
• blood chemistry;
• general urine analysis;
• ultrasound diagnosis of the abdominal cavity;
• X-ray of the lungs;
• ECG of the heart;
• consultation of a gynecologist (for women), urologist (for men);
• consultation of the attending physician.

When determining the presence of diseases in the acute and subacute period, you should first consult a specialist of a narrow profile for the purpose of treatment. After full recovery, you can contact the resort.

What methods of diagnostics does the resortologist use?

In addition to the basic methods of diagnosis, namely:

• laboratory examination of blood and urine;
• ultrasound examination of organs;
• X-ray examination of organs;
• cardiac rhythm electrocardiography.

The doctor resortologist conducts additional studies, such as:

• veloergometry / ergospirometry (analysis of oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide release by a patient under active physical exertion);
• spirography (analysis of the patient's respiratory system);
• Doppler flowmetry (assessment of the effectiveness of the microcirculatory bloodstream);
• Holter examination of the heart (assessment of the heart to detect hidden arrhythmias);
• electroencephalography (study of brain function);
• electromyoneurography (evaluation of the work of muscles on neurological stimuli);
• stabilography (evaluation of the vestibular apparatus).

Thanks to these diagnostic techniques, a balneology doctor can choose the most appropriate medical institution for correcting a particular disease, as well as give recommendations on diet and exercise.

What does the balneologist do?

Resortology is quite an extensive science, accordingly, and there are more narrow specializations of spa physicians. The most important sections of balneology can be considered:

• balneology;
• pleotherapy;
• climatology;
• physiotherapy.

Balneology is a special section in which spa physicians study the physicochemical features of mineral waters, as well as their effect on the human body. Thanks to this section of balneology, the most valuable natural springs were discovered. These include the mineral waters of the resorts of Essentuki, Mirgorod, Morshin, Borzhomi, Pyatigorsk, Kislovodsk, Truskavets, Zheleznogorsk and many others. Mineral water is used to treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, chronic liver and kidney diseases, as well as certain endocrine diseases. It is the balneologist who knows what types of mineral water it is best to take with this or that disease.

Pleo therapy or mud therapy is a very important section in which spa physicians study the effect of therapeutic mud on the skin, internal organs and the body as a whole. Gryazerapiya is used to treat a large number of diseases, namely, with problems of the musculoskeletal system, burns or frostbite, disorders from neurology, skin diseases and many others. In doing so, apply the application technique of individual body parts (feet, feet, hands, neck, back) or the whole body. So mud treatment is used in gynecology and urology for the treatment of female and male infertility. The main resorts that specialize in pleiotherapy include: Saki, Odessa estuary, mud baths Slavyansk, Lipetsk and other cities.

Climatotherapy is a fundamental section in which spa physicians study the effect of climatic conditions in resort regions on the human body. The climatic factors include climate type, elevation above sea level, the presence of the sea itself, humidity and air temperature, ultraviolet radiation and much more. For example, for the treatment of respiratory organs, the maritime climate of such resort areas as the Crimea and the Krasnodar Territory is ideal. High-altitude resorts like the Carpathians and the Caucasus will be ideal for increasing metabolism and treating endocrine diseases, as well as blood diseases.

Physiotherapy - a section through which doctors-balneologists carry out a complex impact on the human body. Physiotherapy includes physiotherapy, massage, the impact of various devices based on the action of fields (electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic), vibration (optical, mechanical), as well as the adoption of special therapeutic baths, inhalations and much more. Physiotherapy is used in the complex treatment of various chronic diseases. The complex of physiotherapeutic procedures is individually selected by the spa-physician based on the patient's medical history and additional studies.

What diseases are treated by the balneologist?

The resort physician develops a complex of measures that help to cope with the presence of various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, peptic ulcer, diabetes mellitus, cholelithiasis), respiratory system (asthma, chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis), genitourinary system (pyelonephritis, cystitis, inflammatory processes of organs small pelvis, infertility), musculoskeletal system (arthritis, osteoporosis, rheumatism), nervous system (neuropathies, strokes) and many others.

Advices of a balneologist

Each organism has its own "resource". To avoid premature aging of the body, it is not necessary to neglect the annual leave, making maximum use of it to restore the body. To maximize the therapeutic properties of natural resources, treatment should be at least 14 days (ideally 21 days). When passing a course of treatment, you must follow a diet and moderate exercise.

When planning restorative rest, it is best to consult a balneologist for advice. He will be able to choose a health resort not only in your locality, but also abroad. So, the most famous medical resorts in Europe are: Montecatini Terme (Italy), bathhouses in Budapest (Hungary), Karlovy Vary and Frantiskovy Lazne (Czech Republic), Baden and Bad Ischl (Austria), Baden-Baden (Germany) and many others .

It should also be remembered that in certain diseases some methods of treatment are contraindicated. So, for example, contraindications to mud therapy are: oncological diseases, bleeding, skin diseases in acute stage, some neurological and cardiological diseases, as well as the state of pregnancy. Thalassotherapy is prohibited for certain thyroid diseases, increased levels of estrogens in the blood in women, as well as an allergic reaction to ultraviolet radiation. Treatment in the mountains does not recommend hypotension, since a high level above the sea can lead to an even greater reduction in blood pressure.

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