ABSTRACT
RESUMEN San Miguel de los Baños surgió y se desarrolló gracias a sus aguas mineromedicinales. Con el objetivo de determinar el origen, estudio y caracterización de estas se realiza revisión bibliográfica, mediante la consulta de bibliografías y documentos históricos recopilados; la información se buscó sin restricción de fecha de publicación, por descriptores, en bases de datos de la Biblioteca Virtual de Salud y por Google, en pos de hallar publicaciones, artículos y archivos que contuvieran en las palabras clave, determinándose que en los momentos fundacionales y durante el funcionamiento del balneario se realizaron estudios de caracterización, uso y terapéutica de las aguas provenientes de los manantiales: "El Tigre" y "La Salud"; desde 1962 no se brinda atención médica, desde 1984 a la fecha solo constan estudios geo- mineros, físico-químicos y bacteriológicos. La población local hace uso de estas aguas sin indicación, dosis y registro. No se han publicado estudios basados en la evidencia necesarios para la prescripción actual (AU).
Summary San Miguel de los Baños was founded and developed thanks to its mineral- medicinal waters. A bibliographic review was carried out with the objective of determining the origin, study and characterization of these waters consulting bibliography and historical documents, searching information without publishing date restriction, using descriptors in databases of the Virtual Health Library and Google for publications, articles and files having the used key words. The authors arrived to the conclusion that in the times of foundation and during the years of the spa functioning, there were carried out studies on characterization, use and therapeutic of the waters running from the springs "El Tigre" and "La Salud"; medical care is not provided since 1962; only geo-mining, physic-chemical and bacteriological studies were carried out from 1984 up to the date. Local population uses the waters without prescription, doses or recording. No evidence-based studies were published for their current prescription (AU).
Subject(s)
Humans , Balneology/history , Mineral Waters/therapeutic use , Therapeutics , Balneology/classification , Health CentersABSTRACT
O presente artigo de revisão relata os dados científicos disponíveis sobre a água termal La Roche-Posay e esclarece seus mecanismos de ação, suas indicações e seus benefícios clínicos. Além disso, estudos clínicos e avaliação genômica do microbioma da pele demonstraram que esta água termal melhora a diversidade do microbioma da pele e reduz a gravidade das lesões cutâneas em dermatoses inflamatórias, tais como dermatite atópica e psoríase. Justifica-se, portanto, o uso de água rica em selênio em formulações tópicas na prevenção ou tratamento de doenças de pele e como coadjuvante para aumentar a qualidade de vida dos pacientes dermatológicos.
This review article reports the scientific data available on La Roche-Posay thermal water and clarifies its mechanisms of action, indications, and clinical benefits. Clinical studies and genomic evaluation of the skin microbiome have shown that La Roche-Posay thermal water improves the skin microbiome's diversity and reduces the severity of skin lesions in inflammatory dermatoses, such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Therefore, it justifies the use of selenium-rich water in topical formulations to prevent or treat skin diseases and as an adjunct to increase dermatological patients' quality of life
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Integrative and Complementary Practices were implemented in the Unified Health System as adjunctive modalities in the treatment of pain. This article focuses on crenotherapy and hydrotherapy, whose agents are the natural mineral waters and common for the rehabilitation of functional alterations. The scarcity of these practices for the treatment of pain in the literature justifies this review. This study aimed to check the scientific productions about the efficacy of balneology/balneotherapy/crenotherapy and hydrotherapy in the treatment of pain. CONTENTS: It is an integrative review, carried out in May 2018, searching in the electronically available scientific articles, in full, in the LILACS, Pubmed, BVS and CINAHL database in periodicals published in the last 10 years focusing on crenotherapy and hydrotherapy for pain relief, in the Portuguese, English and Spanish language. The descriptors used were: "Pain", "Balneology", "Crenotherapy", "Hydrotherapy" "Efficacy"; "Effectiveness" in the three languages, combined with the Boolean expressions AND/Y/E and OR/O/U/OU, finding 2306 articles, of which 111 were identified, and only 27 met the inclusion criteria, analyzed and incorporated the evidence that emerged in pain relief. CONCLUSION: This study showed that most of the evidence emerged from the studies analyzed regarding the efficacy of hydrotherapy and balneology in pain pictures focused on levels 1 to 3. Of the 27 studies, 18 showed the efficacy of hydrotherapy and eight of balneology in the pain symptomatology and one in relation to the lack of knowledge of the use of these complementary therapies in pain relief.
RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: As Práticas Integrativas e Complementares foram institucionalizadas no Sistema Único de Saúde como modalidades coadjuvantes no tratamento da dor. Este artigo focalizou a utilização de crenoterapia e hidroterapia, cujos agentes são as águas minerais naturais, comum para a reabilitação de alterações funcionais. A escassez da literatura dessas práticas no tratamento da dor, justifica esta revisão. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a produção cientifica sobre a eficácia da balneologia/balneoterapia/crenoterapia e da hidroterapia no tratamento da dor. CONTEÚDO: Revisão integrativa, realizada em maio de 2018, cuja busca de artigos científicos disponíveis eletronicamente e na íntegra, na base de dados, LILACS, Pubmed, BVS e CINAHL em periódicos publicados nos últimos 10 anos enfocaram a crenoterapia e hidroterapia para o alívio da dor nos idiomas Português, Inglês e Espanhol. Os descritores utilizados foram: Dor, Balneologia, Crenoterapia, Hidroterapia, Eficácia; nos três idiomas, combinados com as expressões booleanas AND/Y/E e OR/O/U/OU encontrando 2306 artigos, identificados 111 e destes, apenas 27 atenderam aos critérios de inclusão, analisados e incorporadas as evidências emergidas no alívio da dor. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo mostrou que a maioria das evidências emergidas dos trabalhos analisados quanto à eficácia da hidroterapia e crenoterapia em processos álgicos concentraram-se nos níveis 1 a 3. Dos 27 estudos, 18 mostraram a eficácia da hidroterapia e oito da balneoterapia e crenoterapia nos sintomas dolorosos, e um em relação ao desconhecimento do uso dessas práticas integrativas no alívio da dor.
ABSTRACT
To evaluate the current state of the Onsen-Ryoho-Specialist (Broad Certified Fellow in Balneology, Climatology and Physical Medicine) training system, we surveyed the training facilities designated by the Japanese Society of Balneology, Climatology and Physical medicine (BCPM). Of the 24 facilities targeted by the survey, 21 responded (88%). Currently, the training curriculum for Onsen-Ryoho-Specialists consists of 8 units on diseases and 8 units on therapy methods. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it is difficult for a single facility on effectively cover all of these units. The most pressing need is to establish and implement a standardized curriculum across all facilities. Until now, each related academic society has selected training facilities based on its own criteria. Moving forwards, the review/accreditation body of the Japanese Medical Specialist Broad will make site visits to establish and review Onsen-Ryoho-Specialist training facilities. These efforts should lead to the development of fully qualified Onsen-Ryoho-Specialist training facilities.
ABSTRACT
To evaluate the current state of the Onsen-Ryoho-Specialist (Broad Certified Fellow in Balneology, Climatology and Physical Medicine) training system, we surveyed the training facilities designated by the Japanese Society of Balneology, Climatology and Physical medicine (BCPM). Of the 24 facilities targeted by the survey, 21 responded (88%). Currently, the training curriculum for Onsen-Ryoho-Specialists consists of 8 units on diseases and 8 units on therapy methods. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it is difficult for a single facility on effectively cover all of these units. The most pressing need is to establish and implement a standardized curriculum across all facilities. Until now, each related academic society has selected training facilities based on its own criteria. Moving forwards, the review/accreditation body of the Japanese Medical Specialist Broad will make site visits to establish and review Onsen-Ryoho-Specialist training facilities. These efforts should lead to the development of fully qualified Onsen-Ryoho-Specialist training facilities.
ABSTRACT
The Balneology Association of North America (BANA) announced our founding at the ISMH Congress in 2011 in Lanjaron Spain. For the 2014 ISMH Congress in Kyoto, BANA will present the work accomplished since Spain, and give a voice to the North American balneology field in the international arena.<BR> In the last two years we have been busy building a cohesive voice for balneology education, training, research and promotion. We are actively gaining members all across North America and even internationally, who collectively represent a vast field of interests regarding the therapeutic use of natural mineral water resources. <BR> Through BANA, the the many individual groups that comprise the emerging North American balneology field, now have common ground to work together in growing, networking and formalizing the practice of North American balneology.<BR> Balneology is little known and understood within the greater North American medical world. BANA is working with individual researchers, medical professionals, medical education institutions, private balneology health resorts, and government agencies to create a cohesive language and dialog between these individual groups on the emerging field.<BR> Individual researchers are joining with BANA to establish criteria for the development of balneology research in North America. BANA has proven to be useful, as our place in the international community has allowed us access to the best work in the field from across Europe, Asia and indeed the world. It is BANA’s goal to bring North American balneology research up to the international standard.<BR> BANA is collecting the case studies and practice models of medical professionals from across the country who are employing balneological therapy. For the first time, medical professionals in disconnected regions have a forum to exchange information and develop their practice. Through the collective conversation, the practice of balneology is gaining awareness and growing in sophistication.<BR> Medical education institutions are joining BANA. Within the last year, we are proud to report that the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, has included balneology into its research agenda. Through education outreach, networking researchers with private health resort sites, and existing research resourcing, BANA is dedicated to seeing balneology research expand to many more medical education institutions in the years to come.<BR> BANA is working alongside major government agencies to formalize balneology in North America. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has received submission for the assessment of balneology in North America. Through BANA, the NIH was provided with international sources, research and analysis of the field of balneology. BANA is utilizing the great international work already accomplished, to bring North American health policy up to date regarding balneology.<BR> Site Specific Medicine in North America is a term that encompasses not only balneology, but climatology, Shinrin-yoku, forest medicine, terrain kur, nature cure, and many others. As a melting pot of many cultures, in North America the traditions and understandings from diverse international regions are able to develop together a synthesis of traditions as Site Specific Medicine. <BR> BANA is looking forward to expanding our relationship with our international colleagues.<BR> www.balneoANA.org
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
Balneology in Europe has a long tradition. The therapeutic effects of water or steam baths have been used in almost all its territory since early times, first as a purely empiric exercise but in our times with a remarkable progress on its scientific basis. Depending of geographic or cultural circumstances hydrotherapeutic modalities developed in different ways. However the contribution of the Greek Medicine for its roots and of the Roman Empire for the spread of its use must be enhanced.<BR> During the two last centuries we assisted of a growing interest and knowledge of the properties and therapeutic principles of balneology and their action mechanisms, including: physical (hydrostatic, hydrodynamic, thermal), chemical, biologic and psychological factors. <BR> Currently European Balneology progresses remarkably. European Medical professionals aimed several goals to build this progress. Among them we may refer: the establishment of principles and definitions; a manual of good practice; the development of research; the improvement of education on this field; the awareness of public authorities and of the population.<BR> We may say that in the last ten years we really got significant achievements.<BR> We managed to create new cooperation opportunities by the creation of a Balneology Group within the UEMS (European Union of Specialist Doctors) that is also working together with the ISMH. We start several studies trying to know the different realities of Balneology in our European countries. We are also working on the consensus for a common lexicon and taxonomy in Balneology. Some important papers on this were already published and accepted by ISMH leaders. We also assist of the publication of a significant number of scientific studies, namely randomized controlled trials. Many of them with high quality standards.<BR> Nevertheless the difficulties research is in fact improving. We should mention and praise the financial support of institutions specifically created to sponsor scientific studies on the thermal field, like for instance the French “AFreth” or the Italian “FoRST”.<BR> Balneology Education needs to be better standardised in European terms so that we may built a common curriculum and walk towards an European Medical Board that could among other tasks to be able to certify Specialized Doctors on Balneology.<BR> Balneology has a wide scope of interventions which include prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of a large number of health conditions.<BR> We hope that its progress may benefit a greater number of people. Europe should contribute to this important goal.
ABSTRACT
Scientific balneology in Russia began to develop in the late 19th century.<BR> Balneology for the first time began to be studied at Moscow University in 1865, at the same time it had been firmly established in medical practice. <BR> In July 1921 was founded Central Research Institute of Balneology in Moscow. Its first goals were to study diseases to be treated at resorts, to study therapeutic effects of physical factors, organization of health resort industry and education. Significant attention was paid to exploration and development of deposits of mineral waters and peloids.<BR> One of important areas for research was development of artificial mineral waters for external use (artificial hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, radon, iodine-bromine bathes), that made it possible to apply them in health facilities out of resorts. Special devices allowed use of dry carbonic bathes, dry-air radon bathes, underwater spinal traction.<BR> Research activities were aimed to increase the effectiveness of treatment of natural factors in patients with various diseases. To achieve these goals studies of mechanism of physiological and therapeutic action of hydrobalneoprocedures were conducted.<BR>It concerned central regulatory mechanisms, biochemical processes, microcirculation changes and permeability of membranes, immune reactions, etc. Skin penetration and distribution of active substances of mineral waters and peloids have been studied.<BR> Studies of specificity of reactions depending on physico-chemical composition of mineral water, study of minimal effective concentration of active ingredients were conducted.<BR> Optimal parameters (temperature, concentration, duration of procedure, amount of procedures per treatment) for various diseases were identified. Methods of treatment of different diseases, indications and contra-indications for their use have been developed and published. Comparative analysis of efficiency, development of rational treatment complexes were carried out.<BR> At present, studies of the mechanism of action balneological factors on the new methodological level, development of new approaches to applying the methods of hydro-balneotherapy, study and introduction of new balneological technology.
ABSTRACT
Increasing ratio of elderly population calls not only attention to the common health problems related to ageing and but the necessity to fight against these problems more effectively and protect the health and wellbeing of elderly population and keep them healthy as long as possible. Balneological treatments have been being used widely in many countries for treating certain pathologies mostly the rheumatic diseases for centuries. Recently, beyond the therapeutic effects of diverse balneotherapeutic factors and interventions, their possible preventive effects are being more intensively considered by the investigators. With the expectation that they might play a preventative role on human health in general, beneficial effects of balneotherapy, mud therapy, thalassotherapy and hydrotherapy are being increasingly investigated and documented. Even though the studies reporting these beneficial effects are not directly related to the biological and physiological processes which are predominant in the elderly population, some results reported in the publications might be considered as anti-aging effects. With this perspective a review of existing literature obtained after a comprehensive database search relieved that balneology interventions seem to attenuate a remarkable range of aging processes and phenotypes in apparently with their proven effects on attenuation of inflammatory and oxidative processes. The evidence on the positive effects of investigated balneological and climatological factors and interventions on the conserved aging phenotypes indicates that balneology and spa tradition could be a tool for healthy and graceful ageing.
ABSTRACT
Scientific balneology in Russia began to develop in the late 19th century. Balneology for the first time began to be studied at Moscow University in 1865, at the same time it had been firmly established in medical practice. In July 1921 was founded Central Research Institute of Balneology in Moscow. Its first goals were to study diseases to be treated at resorts, to study therapeutic effects of physical factors, organization of health resort industry and education. Significant attention was paid to exploration and development of deposits of mineral waters and peloids. One of important areas for research was development of artificial mineral waters for external use (artificial hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, radon, iodine-bromine bathes), that made it possible to apply them in health facilities out of resorts. Special devices allowed use of dry carbonic bathes, dry-air radon bathes, underwater spinal traction. Research activities were aimed to increase the effectiveness of treatment of natural factors in patients with various diseases. To achieve these goals studies of mechanism of physiological and therapeutic action of hydrobalneoprocedures were conducted. It concerned central regulatory mechanisms, biochemical processes, microcirculation changes and permeability of membranes, immune reactions, etc. Skin penetration and distribution of active substances of mineral waters and peloids have been studied. Studies of specificity of reactions depending on physico-chemical composition of mineral water, study of minimal effective concentration of active ingredients were conducted. Optimal parameters (temperature, concentration, duration of procedure, amount of procedures per treatment) for various diseases were identified. Methods of treatment of different diseases, indications and contra-indications for their use have been developed and published. Comparative analysis of efficiency, development of rational treatment complexes were carried out. At present, studies of the mechanism of action balneological factors on the new methodological level, development of new approaches to applying the methods of hydro-balneotherapy, study and introduction of new balneological technology.
ABSTRACT
The new developments and events in Balneology may be summarized as follows; 1. Balneology/ISMH goes global; moving from Japan to Brazil and then to Asia to Africa so on; in recent years, interest in Medical Balneology and Hydro-climatology is being intensified all over the world. We have now a growing number of published balneological articles originated from various countries and the centers in different locations. Japan is the country of “onsen” and “ryokan” which is going to host the 39th ISMH Congress along with their national balneology congress. Brazil is being prepared for the 40th Congress of ISMH in Rio de Janeiro and ABINAM (Brazilian Association of Mineral Waters) will support the congress. Among the balneology organizations North American, Russian, Indian and Chinese associations are on the way. 2. Effects of complexity in the balneological therapy protocols; a need for most effective combinations for certain conditions; In many countries, balneological interventions are being applied in complex character. Depending on the local natural remedies and the experience balneotherapy (thermal mineral water baths) is combined mostly with peloidotherapy (mud applications). Furthermore drinking cures, inhalations and other balneological interventions are also being combined for treating a diversity of conditions in different countries. But the most effective complex balneology treatments for certain diseases remain to be tested. 3. Beyond the treatment of rheumatic diseases; dermatologic and other indications are being investigated: Balneotherapy and spa therapy is being increasingly considered in the evidence based treatment guidelines for rheumatic diseases, including osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, ankylosing spondylitis, early arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and low back pain. Among other indications of balneotherapy dermatological diseases are in the first place. The studies aiming to investigate the therapeutic effects of balneological treatments on cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, psychiatric and respiratory conditions are being published in recent two years. 4. The preventive effects of balneological treatments; an old remedy for contemporary health risks: Research interest in the beneficial and health effects of balneological applications is growing as a need for measures to modify the major health risks of our time. Recently published scientific balneological trials report the scientific evidence on the preventive effects of balneotherapy and spa therapy cures on metabolic syndrome, overweight and obesity as well as cognitive function and physiological status. 5. More insights into effects of local natural spa waters and specific chemical components of balneological waters; Authors from various disciplines are publishing the studies evaluating the specific effects of local natural spa water and mud used in balneological treatments and effects of specific chemical components of balneological waters. Besides the clinical trials with biological markers measurements, some other publications reported the results obtained from cell cultures and experimental animal models studies and shed more light on the specific biological effects of a given balneological remedy and specific elements of the mineral water in particular sulfur and carbon dioxide.
ABSTRACT
The Balneology Association of North America (BANA) announced our founding at the ISMH Congress in 2011 in Lanjaron Spain. For the 2014 ISMH Congress in Kyoto, BANA will present the work accomplished since Spain, and give a voice to the North American balneology field in the international arena. In the last two years we have been busy building a cohesive voice for balneology education, training, research and promotion. We are actively gaining members all across North America and even internationally, who collectively represent a vast field of interests regarding the therapeutic use of natural mineral water resources. Through BANA, the the many individual groups that comprise the emerging North American balneology field, now have common ground to work together in growing, networking and formalizing the practice of North American balneology. Balneology is little known and understood within the greater North American medical world. BANA is working with individual researchers, medical professionals, medical education institutions, private balneology health resorts, and government agencies to create a cohesive language and dialog between these individual groups on the emerging field. Individual researchers are joining with BANA to establish criteria for the development of balneology research in North America. BANA has proven to be useful, as our place in the international community has allowed us access to the best work in the field from across Europe, Asia and indeed the world. It is BANA’s goal to bring North American balneology research up to the international standard. BANA is collecting the case studies and practice models of medical professionals from across the country who are employing balneological therapy. For the first time, medical professionals in disconnected regions have a forum to exchange information and develop their practice. Through the collective conversation, the practice of balneology is gaining awareness and growing in sophistication. Medical education institutions are joining BANA. Within the last year, we are proud to report that the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, has included balneology into its research agenda. Through education outreach, networking researchers with private health resort sites, and existing research resourcing, BANA is dedicated to seeing balneology research expand to many more medical education institutions in the years to come. BANA is working alongside major government agencies to formalize balneology in North America. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has received submission for the assessment of balneology in North America. Through BANA, the NIH was provided with international sources, research and analysis of the field of balneology. BANA is utilizing the great international work already accomplished, to bring North American health policy up to date regarding balneology. Site Specific Medicine in North America is a term that encompasses not only balneology, but climatology, Shinrin-yoku, forest medicine, terrain kur, nature cure, and many others. As a melting pot of many cultures, in North America the traditions and understandings from diverse international regions are able to develop together a synthesis of traditions as Site Specific Medicine. BANA is looking forward to expanding our relationship with our international colleagues. www.balneoANA.org
ABSTRACT
Balneology in Europe has a long tradition. The therapeutic effects of water or steam baths have been used in almost all its territory since early times, first as a purely empiric exercise but in our times with a remarkable progress on its scientific basis. Depending of geographic or cultural circumstances hydrotherapeutic modalities developed in different ways. However the contribution of the Greek Medicine for its roots and of the Roman Empire for the spread of its use must be enhanced. During the two last centuries we assisted of a growing interest and knowledge of the properties and therapeutic principles of balneology and their action mechanisms, including: physical (hydrostatic, hydrodynamic, thermal), chemical, biologic and psychological factors. Currently European Balneology progresses remarkably. European Medical professionals aimed several goals to build this progress. Among them we may refer: the establishment of principles and definitions; a manual of good practice; the development of research; the improvement of education on this field; the awareness of public authorities and of the population. We may say that in the last ten years we really got significant achievements. We managed to create new cooperation opportunities by the creation of a Balneology Group within the UEMS (European Union of Specialist Doctors) that is also working together with the ISMH. We start several studies trying to know the different realities of Balneology in our European countries. We are also working on the consensus for a common lexicon and taxonomy in Balneology. Some important papers on this were already published and accepted by ISMH leaders. We also assist of the publication of a significant number of scientific studies, namely randomized controlled trials. Many of them with high quality standards. Nevertheless the difficulties research is in fact improving. We should mention and praise the financial support of institutions specifically created to sponsor scientific studies on the thermal field, like for instance the French “AFreth” or the Italian “FoRST”. Balneology Education needs to be better standardised in European terms so that we may built a common curriculum and walk towards an European Medical Board that could among other tasks to be able to certify Specialized Doctors on Balneology. Balneology has a wide scope of interventions which include prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of a large number of health conditions. We hope that its progress may benefit a greater number of people. Europe should contribute to this important goal.
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.
ABSTRACT
RESUMEN Los balnearios de aguas termales procedentes de capas geológicas profundas se han identificado como escenarios típicos de exposición a radiaciones de origen natural, tanto para los pacientes que se someten a los tratamientos como para los trabajadores de estas instalaciones, debido a la permanencia en lugares con niveles incrementados de radiación. Por ello se realizan en estos balnearios estudios de caracterización dirigidos a evaluar el impacto radiológico que producen sobre estas categorías poblacionales. El balneario de Elguea, ubicado en la costa norte de Villa Clara, está equipado para brindar servicios que emplean las aguas termales y los lodos en la zona del balneario. Las aguas de este balneario contienen niveles significativos de radón. En este trabajo se presentan las estimaciones de dosis realizadas a partir de la caracterización radiológica del balneario y su entorno, tanto para los trabajadores como para los pacientes que reciben tratamientos. Los valores de dosis estimados se encontraron en el intervalo de 1,01 a 180 μSv/año para los trabajadores, que resultó ser el grupo más irradiado, y no indicaron la necesidad de adoptar medidas o regulaciones especiales de protección.
ABSTRACT The use of hot spring waters from deep geologic layers in spas has been identified as typical scenarios of exposure to natural radiation. These scenarios can affect the patients under treatment, as well as the workers of these facilities. Therefore, characterization studies are being undertaken in these spas in order to evaluate the radiological impact they produce on these categories of population. The Elguea Spa, located on the northern coast of Villa Clara, Cuba, is equipped to provide services by using hot spring waters and mud existing in the zone of the spa. Its waters contain significant levels of radon. Present paper shows the dose estimates made from the radiological characterization of the spa and its surroundings, both for workers and the patients receiving treatment. The dose values are in the range of 1,01 to 180 μSv/year for workers, the most irradiated group, and these results suggest that there is no need for special protection measures or regulations.
ABSTRACT
We observed a case of Aeromonas genus infection in soft tissue caused by an underwater trauma. The patient was a 67-year-old male. His chief complaint was the left cruralgia, and his medical history was unremarkable. The clinical history was that he fell into a rice field while riding a bicycle on July 22, 2005, and suffered a blow to the left eras. On the same day, he was emergently referred to our hospital. He was diagnosed with a left eras bruise; after his wound was washed and sewed up, antibiotics were administered. When he visited our hospital again on July 24, he was hospitalized because of aggravated infection. His wound was urgently washed, drained, and debrided.<br>Aeromonas genus was detected in a bacterial culture. The wound was opened and debrided on August 5 because skin necrosis appeared on the sewed portion of the wound due to continued infection. As the infection receded, granulation was promoted by bFGF and the patient was declared healed on September 22. The Aeromonas genus is a gram-negative, rod-shaped genus of bacteria that lives underwater, and a fatal course due to infection with it is possible even from a mild trauma. Although few cases of Aeromonas infection in soft tissue during spa treatment have been reported, springs could always be polluted by them because they are environmental bacteria. It is important to suspect bacterial infection in the case of an underwater trauma and administer appropriate treatment. In addition, it is necessary to consider the possibility of contamination of spa water with bacteria when we receive spa treatment. We want to enlighten spa operators and users about preventing infection in the future.
ABSTRACT
The objective of this paper is to define the basis for the translational research and its knowledge framework in balneology aiming to approach the disease prevention. As a method to attain this objective, we advocate the knowledge framework that can bridge gene ontology (GO), balneologic ontology (BO), and clinical ontology (CO) virtually at a client site with three sided basic concepts as (1) the logically extended anatomical index from micro to macro, (2) the knowledge representation based on feature described logical conceptual unit, and (3) the EBM (Evidence Based Medicine) based quality evaluation of knowledge. As an result, the scheme and the prototype of the knowledge framework for the basic balneology was built. The logically extended anatomically hierarchical index could offer the seamless and logical continuity from genome to human/environment. The EBM based quality assessment enhanced the reliability of knowledge, and the knowledge representation based on the logical conceptual unit approach offered the unification of the different grain size knowledge.