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Users of
services:
WHY IN THE CAVE?
People have always used caves for shelters. During World War
II Dr. Spannagel noticed in the Klutert cave in Ennepetal,
Germany that patients with bronchial asthma and chronic
obstructive bronchitis started breathing more easily. Thus
the term "KARST THERAPEUTIC PROGRAMME" was established,
standing for a therapy in a cave.
Under the wings of the International Speleological Union, a
permanent commission for speleotherapy of UNESCO coordinates
and professionally supervises the activity.
The adequacy of the cave for rehabilitation implementation
is verified by measurements. A precondition for adequacy is
that a cave is isolated from external influences and that
there is no pollution, physical or chemical stimuli and
antigens.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS?
The favourable microclimatic conditions as well as the high
concentration of aerosols, negative ions and low levels of
radon radiation have the following effects:
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prevent inflammations,
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dilute phlegm,
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alleviate expectoration,
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relax airway muscles,
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improve transience in respiratory organs,
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improve self-cleaning of airways,
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improve general organism resistance
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etc.
All of these changes help the attendants of the programme breathe more easily
and use fewer medicines. Also, progressions after this
rehabilitation programme are fewer. This means that positive
results are medical as well as socio-economic.
FOR WHICH PATIENTS?
The effects of rehabilitation under these special climatic
conditions (SPELEOTHERAPY) have the best results in:
- patients with bronchial asthma,
- patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.
It is also useful for bronchiectasies and various pathologic
conditions of the thorax with aggravated expectoration.
Attendants of the programme should be older than 15 years or able to actively
participate in the programme.
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