Salt caves as simulation of natural environment and significance of halotherapy
Journal Title: Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine - Year 2014, Vol 21, Issue 1
Abstract
Introduction. Human activity usually leads to a deterioration in air quality; therefore, searching for places that simulate an environment without pollution is important. Artificial salt caves play crucial role, as a kind of therapy, known as halotherapy, based on treatment in a controlled air medium that simulates a natural salt cave microclimate.Objective. Evaluation of awareness about the existence of salt caves, basic knowledge about the purpose for their presence among people who bought salt caves sessions, and checking their subjective estimation of salt caves influence on their well-being.Material & Methods. 303 inhabitants (18–51-years-old) of 3 randomly chosen cities of southern Poland were surveyed using a validated author’s questionnaire. Both genders were represented in comparable numbers.Results. It was be observed that knowledge about the existence of salt-caves is common – 94% of respondents. 96 persons bought at least 3 salt caves sessions. The majority of women, did this for therapeutic reasons (57%), and men for both therapeutic and relaxation reasons (both 39%). Both among women and men, the dysfunctions intended to be cured by sessions included problems with throat, larynx or sinus. Depression as a reason for buying sessions was mentioned only by women. In general, those who attended felt better after sessions in salt caves.Conclusion. Besides the health benefits, people do not have free time for rest and activities in clean air; moreover, stress is inseparable from everyday life, and for that reasons salt caves become places that help to support a proper lifestyle.
Authors and Affiliations
Joanna Zajac, Iwona Bojar, Jadwiga Helbin, Emilia Kolarzyk, Alfred Owoc
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP80749
- DOI -
- Views 119
- Downloads 0
Clinical and molecular features of one case of human infection with Anaplasma phagocytophilum from Podlaskie Province in eastern Poland
The article focuses on the clinical and laboratory diagnosis of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) caused by [i]Anaplasma phagocytophilum[/i] infection in one of 28 patients (3.6%; n=1/28 tested samples) with early Ly...
Influence of meteorological parameters in hourly patterns of grass (Poaceae) pollen concentrations.
Hourly grass pollen concentrations were recorded over a 10-year study period at an aerobiological station of Badajoz (SW Spain). The record was carried out by means of a Burkard spore trap. Meteorological data were used...
New cases of suspected HFRS (Hantavirus infection) in south-eastern Poland
Introduction: HFRS – hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, found in Europe, is an acute viral zoonosis due to the hantavirus infection. The disease is characterized by the triad of symptoms: sudden, febrile onset, acute...
In vitro evaluation of the effect of tobacco smoke on rat cornea function
The influence of tobacco smoke on the dielectric properties of rat cornea were measured[i] in vitro[/i] over the frequency range of the electric field of 500Hz–100kHz and in temperatures of the air from 25 to 150°C. The...
Odour annoyance in the neighbourhood of livestock farming – perceived health and health care seeking behaviour
[b]Introduction and objectives[/b]. Odour annoyance forms the main source of environmental stress in residents living in the proximity of animal feeding operations (AFOs) and it has been associated with reduced health. T...