Benefits of crenotherapy in digestive tract pathology (Review)

Abstract

Balneotherapy, a branch of physical and rehabilitation medicine using the natural factors of balneal resorts for therapeutical purposes to modulate the symptoms of numerous diseases, represents a non-pharmaceutical therapeutic alternative, easily accepted by patients and used both preventively and curatively. Crenotherapy, a branch of balneotherapy, is the method in which mineral waters are used as a therapeutic internal cure by ingestion. This procedure is performed in spa resorts (where these natural resources exist), and the ingestion of mineral water takes place at the source (spring), in the quantities recommended by the medical rehabilitation physician, according to specific regimens for the condition to be treated. Depending on their physical and chemical composition, the therapeutic mineral waters fall into several categories, having clear indications for certain pathologies. Hypotonic, isotonic, or slightly hypertonic mineral waters are recommended in diseases of the digestive tract and hepatobiliary conditions. Over time, studies have been conducted to determine the effect of these types of treatments, highlighting the complex influence of crenotherapy on the gastrointestinal tract, with favorable results, therefore the use of mineral water intake in various pathologies being recommended. The current review focuses on the existing literature data and refers to the main progress made in understanding the benefit, indications, and crenotherapy procedures in the management of gastrointestinal disorders. Contents1. Introduction 2. Pathogenic background for crenotherapy usage 3. Evidence-based literature data focused on the benefit of crenotherapy for GI (gastrointestinal) tract pathologies 4. Conclusions

Analysis of the Effect of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Acute Cholecystitis after Percutaneous Transhepatic Gallbladder Puncture and Drainage

“…Furthermore, timely antibacterial treatment, such as ampicillin, clindamycin, and aminoglycosides, is also required [ 29 ]. In addition, choleretic drugs, such as magnesium sulfate, are also encouraged to potentiate the treatment efficiency [ 30 ]. For patients with cholecystitis, anti-inflammatory and choleretic Chinese patent medicines, such as Jindan Tablets or Qinggan Lidan Oral Liquid can also be used daily to promote the discharge of bile and reduce the inflammation of the gallbladder [ 31 ].…”

Hydrochemical and Microbiological Investigations and the Therapeutic Potential of Some Mineral Waters from Bihor County, Romania

“…Considering the high tolerability, such mineral waters might be considered as alternative to drug treatments. In addition, depending on the time of administration (before or during the meal), carbonated alkaline waters can reduce or stimulate gastric secretions, influencing gastrointestinal motility and gallbladder activity [11,12,82,83]. Alkaline-earth waters contain the bicarbonate anion bound to calcium or magnesium cations, and their main applications are for digestive ailments (gastritis, colitis, gastric or duodenal ulcers, chronic enterocolitis, etc.).…”

“…Water has been used to promote health since ancient times. It was only in the 19th century that detailed chemical analyses brought information about mineral content, and thus revealed the medicinal potency and healing benefits of mineral waters in various pathologies [10,11]. Mineral waters have a beneficial effect on human health both through internal administration (crenotherapy) in the form of water ingestion or inhalation of aerosols, and through external administration (balneotherapy) by immersing the body in water [10,11].…”

“…It was only in the 19th century that detailed chemical analyses brought information about mineral content, and thus revealed the medicinal potency and healing benefits of mineral waters in various pathologies [10,11]. Mineral waters have a beneficial effect on human health both through internal administration (crenotherapy) in the form of water ingestion or inhalation of aerosols, and through external administration (balneotherapy) by immersing the body in water [10,11]. Depending on their chemical content, mineral waters have been used for decades as curative agents in the treatment of various gastrointestinal conditions such as heartburn, dyspepsia, gastritis, ulcers, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and even gallbladder or liver diseases, as an adjuvant therapy to complement the effects of the drugs [11,12].…”

“…Mineral waters have a beneficial effect on human health both through internal administration (crenotherapy) in the form of water ingestion or inhalation of aerosols, and through external administration (balneotherapy) by immersing the body in water [10,11]. Depending on their chemical content, mineral waters have been used for decades as curative agents in the treatment of various gastrointestinal conditions such as heartburn, dyspepsia, gastritis, ulcers, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and even gallbladder or liver diseases, as an adjuvant therapy to complement the effects of the drugs [11,12]. The reduced volume of urine or an increased urinary concentration of salts favors the formation of kidney stones.…”