ABSTRACT
Balneotherapy or Health Resort Medicine has a long tradition in Spain. This tradition is still alive today. The main indication of balneotherapy in Spain is rheumatic diseases, especially joints’degenerative disorders.<BR> There are, approximately, 2,000 mineral water springs with the public utility declaration.<BR> There are also currently working 119 Thermal Stations, which have 19,154 hotel rooms, with 4,047,000 overnight stays in 2012. They employ 5,310 workers and 904,000 customers enjoy, although not all of them are go in sanitary programs. Total revenue of thermal stations is 255 million euros.<BR> Balneotherapy research in Spain takes place mainly at the Complutense University of Madrid, in the Professional School of Medical Hydrology and Department of “Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Medical Hydrology” (Medicine Faculty) and other Universities such as those of Extremadura, Granada, Seville, Vigo and Zaragoza. Hydrotherapy and Aquatic Therapy in Universities: Catolica San Antonio de Murcia, Extremadura, Granada and Malaga and natural mineral waters in the Complutense University of Madrid.<BR> Moreover, this year we celebrate 25 years of the Balneotherapy Program of the Elder’s Institute and Social Services (IMSERSO) under the Ministry of Health. The program had 12,848 beds in 28 Spas in 1989 to 209,222 in 2014 in 105 Spas, which in economic terms means moving from 4.3 million euros provided by the IMSERSO in 1989 to 34 million in 2014, with an economic impact of more than 115.2 million adding the contribution of the beneficiaries. More than 2,500,000 people have benefited the program since its implementation.
ABSTRACT
There is little doubt that the main therapeutic action of the peloid’s, therapy depends on their thermal properties. For this reason is quite of interest getting to know the thermal properties of the materials that form peloids.<BR><b>Objective: </b>Study the thermal properties of three inorganic solids that can be used in the preparation of therapeutic peloids.<BR><b>Materials and Method: </b>The products used are aluminic Bentonite, Kerolita (Süd Chemie) and SPLF ELITE (Tolsa). <BR> From the thermal point of view the specific heat was determined using a Scanning Calorimetry equipment, model DSC1, cooled by air of Mettler Toledo and it was used the software STARe for the collection and processing of data.<BR> An extemporaneous product was prepared with a liquid phase of 60%, using distilled deionized water. Its cooling curves their relaxation and inertia times were studied.<BR> For the determination of the cooling curves we have followed the Rambaud technique, obtaining graphs and equations that best fit the experimental curve, using the ORIGIN program 8. We used Thermostatic baths, models Lauda RA Alpha 8 and E-100 and a thermocouple Cole-Parmer, model 91100-50.<BR><b>Results and Discussion</b>: The following Table 1 shows the results of the specific heat measures of the three studied products, in the range of 45-36°C and its corresponding average value. We also include the inertia and relaxation time of peloids.<BR><b>Conclusions: </b>The SPLF, a sepiolite, presents the highest value of the specific heat, whose corresponding peloid with an equal percentage of water would provide the greatest amount of heat. The specific heat of the bentonite and kerolita is very similar. <BR> Bentonite Al shows the most relaxation time of the three products, releasing therefore the heat more slowly.
ABSTRACT
Carhue is the largest thermal center of the province of Buenos Aires, located 520 kilometers from the state capital. The thermal baths and the treatments with the lake’s peloids have become an emblem of the city. Since 1920 visitors from around the world have come to this place to enjoy the benefits of the mineral waters from Epecuen Lake.<BR><b>Objective: </b>The objective of this work is the physicochemical study of the Carhue peloid.<BR><b>Material and Method: </b>A commercial peloid sample, The percentage of the solid components, water and ashes was determined by gravimetric techniques drying the sample in oven and mufla. The specific heat, thermal conductivity coefficient and calorific retentivity were calculated from these data. <BR> The particle size was determined by laser diffraction, using the model 3000 of Malvern Instruments Mastersizer.<BR> The instrumental texture was determined with the Brookfield LFRA, Texture Analyzer, model 1000 LFRA LRFA. The Rambaud method was the technic used to obtain the cooling curve, with thermostatic baths, Lauda, RA 8 Alpha and E-100 and thermocouple Cole-Parmer, model 91100-50.<BR><b>Results: </b>(Table 1)<BR><b>Conclusions:</b> Its water percentage (47.4%) allow us classify this product as a true peloid. <BR> From the relation ash / solid (0.90) it follows that is a peloid rich in inorganic products. <BR> The particle size indicates that there are particles ranging 0.6 to 120 microns, with Dv(50) of 10.5 microns but with scarce uniformity. <BR> Specific heat and retentivity values are agree with the obtained percentage values of water and ashes. <BR> The value tr (8.7 minutes) shows a peloid with slow release of heat, matching up with the data of their retentivity 7.74 106 s/m<sup>2</sup>.<BR> According to its texture is a soft peloid (64.7 g) with good cohesion capacity (0.96) so it is an easy product to use.
ABSTRACT
<b>Introduction: </b>The maturation process of peloids has been the subject of many studies over time. Knowledge of the processes occurring during this time period, it is very interesting to know the applications of the final product.<BR><b>Material and Method: </b>For preparation of extemporaneous peloids it has been used clay Bentonite Volcangel (Benesa) supplied by Süd Chemie, a mineral water hyperthermal (42°C), sulphurated, weak mineralization (261 mg/l) from Baños Montemayor (M) and water purified obtained by distillation and ion exchange (A).<BR> Peloids were prepared by mixing in the ratio needed aiming to produce a product with 70% water and clay, in polymeric material containers. Water and clay were mixed slowly until total homogenization. The product was introduced into glass containers tightly closed and kept at a constant temperature of 42°C and 8°C.<BR> The percentage of the solid components, water and ashes was determined by gravimetric techniques, drying the sample in oven and muffle furnace (850°C). The specific heat and calorific retentivity were calculated from these data.<BR> Every six weeks, the analysis of all parameters are repeated in samples maintained at 42°C and 8°C to study possible variations.<BR><b>Results: </b>In Table 1 are shown values of the parameters of the initial peloids prepared with purified water and mineromedicinal water.<BR><b>Conclusion:</b> There were no significant differences observed in the values of the analyzed parameters between the two initial peloids prepared with purified water and with medicinal mineral water of Montemayor spa and a slight diminution in the water percentage, and a small increase of the relaxation time six weeks later.
ABSTRACT
The main objective of the present study was to determine the in situ biomechanical behaviour of skin in response to the use of three muds manufactured with a hyperosmotic Spring “Hervederos de Cofrentes” water, Valencia, Spain. The impact of the osmotic muds on the biomechanical behaviour of human skin, its pH, blood flow, barrier function and dermal density was quantified in healthy volunteers using several non-invasive approaches. Materials and Method: This study was designed to assess the skin response to daily use for 10 and 20 days on volar forearms of 33 healthy volunteers aged between 18 and 40 years (23.3 ± 4.4) when applied 3 extemporaneous peloides with 0 (P0), 30 (P3) and 60 (P6) days of maturation. Peloids daily placed on volar forearm on panellist and variables were determined at baseline before starting treatment (day 0), and 10 and 20 days after the start of treatment. Day zero values are considered normal skin pattern. After a descriptive statistical analysis (mean and standard deviation), a paired Student’s t-test was used to compare data. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results and Conclusions: Our results also suggest a direct relationship between the actions of the muds used and the following changes in the in vivo characteristics of human skin. P3 peloid gradually decreases blood flow (p<0.05) whitout affetation TEWL and there is a general increase in pH with the implementation of treatment. Increases skin firmness (p<0, 05) and elasticity (p<0.05). All peloids P0, P3 and P6 had an increase in dermal density (p<0.05), and was recorded reaching significance after 10 days of treatment and increased resistance towards repeated suction (reduced fatigue) after 10 days of treatment too, rising gradually up to 20 days was observed (p<0.05). As an overall conclusion, our findings indicate that the skin treatment proposed, P3 peloid mainly, decrease blood flow without modifying the barrier function of the skin, does not change TEWL, and clearly improves its biomechanical properties, improving skin density, skin firmness, increasing the elasticity and decreasing the fatigue of the skin, up minimally modifying the pH. All these circumstances make it very compatible with scaly process type psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, ichthyosis or cutaneous process that curse with an increase in skin cell turn-over.
ABSTRACT
The study was designed to distinguish the skin response after the continuous application (three months) of two different osmotic dermatologic products: a Moisturizing Emulsion and a Facial Mask, both elaborated from Lanjarón-Capuchina mineral water« dry residue: 19.871 mg/l; chloride (Cl-): 8.867 mg/l; sodium (Na2+): 3.941 mg/l; calcium (Ca2+): 1.423 mg/l; magnesium (Mg2+): 235 mg/l; sulphate (SO42-): 448 mg/l; bicarbonate (HCO3-): 1.732 mg/l and iron (Fe2+): 28 mg/l ». Objectives: The main objective of the present study was to determine the in situ biomechanical behaviour of skin in response to the use of two dermatologic products manufactured from the sediments (saline muds) of Capuchina water. The impact of the osmotic products on the biomechanical behaviour of human skin, its pH, sebum output, barrier function and dermal density was quantified in healthy volunteers using several non-invasive approaches. Material and Method: Experimental data were obtained in 38 healthy women aged 32 to 58 years (41.4±5.9 years) with no prior skin problems of any relevance. Written informed consent was obtained from each participant. Subjects were instructed to apply the moisturizing cream (Emulsión Hidratante del Balneario de Lanjarón) to the face each day after a cleaning routine in the morning and evening. Once a week, the participants applied the face mask (Máscara Facial del Balneario de Lanjarón) for 20 minutes. The biological response was registered by means of five non invasive techniques: Cutometer, Sebumeter, pH-meter, Reviscometer and Tewameter (TEWL). Formerly safety tests were performed on cosmetic. Results: The results suggest that skin response may be modified and/or controlled, significantly reducing skin sebum (6%), TEWL (21%) and skin fatigue due to repeted suction (30%) after 15 days of treatment and stabilized after approximately 60 days. On the other hand, a considerable increase of total skin elasticity Ua/Uf (19%), skin resistance to maximum extension Uf (5%), and dermal redensification evaluated by means of the Reviscometer (6%) was observed. The pH and cutaneous viscoelasticity (Uv/Ue) determinations have resulted irrelevant and not significant. Conclusions: We can conclude that: 1. Dermatological products prepared with Lanjarón-Capuchina sediment are safe and healthy for the skin. 2. Sebum without affecting the skin barrier function is regulated. 3. After 30 days of treatment significantly reduces transepidermal water loss. That is, the skin barrier function is enhanced. 4. Skin pH is not affected after treatment implantation. 5. There is a significant increase in dermal density, which begins to occur after a month of treatment. 6. Increased skin resistance to suction (firmness) from 15 days occurs and rises slightly to 90 days. 7. Considerably increases the elasticity of the skin, which at 30 days of treatment is estimated at 20%, remaining at these values until the end of the study. 8. By repeated skin suction, skin fatigue considerably decreased, 30% from baseline. Overall treatment application normalizes the amount of sebum, without greatly altering the ecology and skin barrier function, clearly favouring the biomechanical properties of the skin, especially the parameters that are modified by time.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The maturation process of peloids has been the subject of many studies over time. Knowledge of the processes occurring during this time period, it is very interesting to know the applications of the final product. Material and Method: For preparation of extemporaneous peloids it has been used clay Bentonite Volcangel (Benesa) supplied by Süd Chemie, a mineral water hyperthermal (42°C), sulphurated, weak mineralization (261 mg/l) from Baños Montemayor (M) and water purified obtained by distillation and ion exchange (A). Peloids were prepared by mixing in the ratio needed aiming to produce a product with 70% water and clay, in polymeric material containers. Water and clay were mixed slowly until total homogenization. The product was introduced into glass containers tightly closed and kept at a constant temperature of 42°C and 8°C. The percentage of the solid components, water and ashes was determined by gravimetric techniques, drying the sample in oven and muffle furnace (850°C). The specific heat and calorific retentivity were calculated from these data. Every six weeks, the analysis of all parameters are repeated in samples maintained at 42°C and 8°C to study possible variations. Results: In Table 1 are shown values of the parameters of the initial peloids prepared with purified water and mineromedicinal water. Conclusion: There were no significant differences observed in the values of the analyzed parameters between the two initial peloids prepared with purified water and with medicinal mineral water of Montemayor spa and a slight diminution in the water percentage, and a small increase of the relaxation time six weeks later.
ABSTRACT
There is little doubt that the main therapeutic action of the peloid’s, therapy depends on their thermal properties. For this reason is quite of interest getting to know the thermal properties of the materials that form peloids. Objective: Study the thermal properties of three inorganic solids that can be used in the preparation of therapeutic peloids. Materials and Method: The products used are aluminic Bentonite, Kerolita (Süd Chemie) and SPLF ELITE (Tolsa). From the thermal point of view the specific heat was determined using a Scanning Calorimetry equipment, model DSC1, cooled by air of Mettler Toledo and it was used the software STARe for the collection and processing of data. An extemporaneous product was prepared with a liquid phase of 60%, using distilled deionized water. Its cooling curves their relaxation and inertia times were studied. For the determination of the cooling curves we have followed the Rambaud technique, obtaining graphs and equations that best fit the experimental curve, using the ORIGIN program 8. We used Thermostatic baths, models Lauda RA Alpha 8 and E-100 and a thermocouple Cole-Parmer, model 91100-50. Results and Discussion: The following Table 1 shows the results of the specific heat measures of the three studied products, in the range of 45-36°C and its corresponding average value. We also include the inertia and relaxation time of peloids. Conclusions: The SPLF, a sepiolite, presents the highest value of the specific heat, whose corresponding peloid with an equal percentage of water would provide the greatest amount of heat. The specific heat of the bentonite and kerolita is very similar. Bentonite Al shows the most relaxation time of the three products, releasing therefore the heat more slowly.
ABSTRACT
Carhue is the largest thermal center of the province of Buenos Aires, located 520 kilometers from the state capital. The thermal baths and the treatments with the lake’s peloids have become an emblem of the city. Since 1920 visitors from around the world have come to this place to enjoy the benefits of the mineral waters from Epecuen Lake. Objective: The objective of this work is the physicochemical study of the Carhue peloid. Material and Method: A commercial peloid sample, The percentage of the solid components, water and ashes was determined by gravimetric techniques drying the sample in oven and mufla. The specific heat, thermal conductivity coefficient and calorific retentivity were calculated from these data. The particle size was determined by laser diffraction, using the model 3000 of Malvern Instruments Mastersizer. The instrumental texture was determined with the Brookfield LFRA, Texture Analyzer, model 1000 LFRA LRFA. The Rambaud method was the technic used to obtain the cooling curve, with thermostatic baths, Lauda, RA 8 Alpha and E-100 and thermocouple Cole-Parmer, model 91100-50. Results: (Table 1) Conclusions: Its water percentage (47.4%) allow us classify this product as a true peloid. From the relation ash / solid (0.90) it follows that is a peloid rich in inorganic products. The particle size indicates that there are particles ranging 0.6 to 120 microns, with Dv(50) of 10.5 microns but with scarce uniformity. Specific heat and retentivity values are agree with the obtained percentage values of water and ashes. The value tr (8.7 minutes) shows a peloid with slow release of heat, matching up with the data of their retentivity 7.74 106 s/m2. According to its texture is a soft peloid (64.7 g) with good cohesion capacity (0.96) so it is an easy product to use.
ABSTRACT
Balneotherapy or Health Resort Medicine has a long tradition in Spain. This tradition is still alive today. The main indication of balneotherapy in Spain is rheumatic diseases, especially joints’ degenerative disorders. There are, approximately, 2,000 mineral water springs with the public utility declaration. There are also currently working 119 Thermal Stations, which have 19,154 hotel rooms, with 4,047,000 overnight stays in 2012. They employ 5,310 workers and 904,000 customers enjoy, although not all of them are go in sanitary programs. Total revenue of thermal stations is 255 million euros. Balneotherapy research in Spain takes place mainly at the Complutense University of Madrid, in the Professional School of Medical Hydrology and Department of “Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Medical Hydrology” (Medicine Faculty) and other Universities such as those of Extremadura, Granada, Seville, Vigo and Zaragoza. Hydrotherapy and Aquatic Therapy in Universities: Catolica San Antonio de Murcia, Extremadura, Granada and Malaga and natural mineral waters in the Complutense University of Madrid. Moreover, this year we celebrate 25 years of the Balneotherapy Program of the Elder’s Institute and Social Services (IMSERSO) under the Ministry of Health. The program had 12,848 beds in 28 Spas in 1989 to 209,222 in 2014 in 105 Spas, which in economic terms means moving from 4.3 million euros provided by the IMSERSO in 1989 to 34 million in 2014, with an economic impact of more than 115.2 million adding the contribution of the beneficiaries. More than 2,500,000 people have benefited the program since its implementation.