The Influence of Balneotherapy and Hydrotherapy on the Value of the Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure
Abstract
Introduction: Diseases of civilization pose a vital health problem of the fast developing countries, including Poland. Negative effects of the growing civilization contribute to diabetes, coronary heart disease, hypertension (HTN) and the osteoarticular system diseases. Apart from drug therapy, sanatorium and health resort treatment is being implemented in the treatment of chronic diseases. Its essence consists in application of the natural medicinal stimuli, which are individually selected when it comes to their kind, character and intensity.
Aim: The aim of this paper is the evaluation of the influence of the balneotherapy and hydrotherapy on blood pressure value (BP).
Material and method: The research included 150 patients of the Health Resort in Horyniec-Zdrój, results were obtained on the basis of BP measurement before and after the treatment as well as an anonymous questionnaire carried out among the patients. The influence of the medicinal treatment on the niekorzystvalue of the systolic (SYS) and diastolic (DIA) blood pressure was investigated. Socio demographic data and patients’ current diseases were also analyzed.
Results: It has been demonstrated that HTN occurs more often in people over the age of 60 years, that have a secondary education or higher, unemployed and incapable of working. The value of the systolic blood pressure lowers after such treatments as: carbonic acid bath, hydrogen sulphide bath, whirlpool bath, 4-chamber bath and underwater massage. It rises after a shower and peloid compresses. On the other hand, the DIA decreases after such treatments as: carbonic acid bath, hydrogen sulphide bath, pearl bath, whirl bath for legs and increases after a shower.
Conclusion: Taking everything into consideration, it may be concluded that applied treatments have a varied influence on the value of the SYS and DIA blood pressure.
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