Halothérapie et spéléothérapie : se soigner dans les mines de sel

Abstract

Halotherapy or speleotherapy in salt mines refers to treatment by stay in salt caves. The main therapeutic indication concerns respiratory diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma). The beneficial effects were discovered empirically in 1843b yF elix Bochkowsky in the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Treatment centershave been structured in differentcountries of Eastern Europe, Germany, Austria, Turkey and Russia. Because of the unique characteristics of each mine and the variety of treatment programs, speleotherapy is considered as ac lass of intervention. Artificial salt chambers were created in the 80s. Speleotherapy is considered as ac omplementary caref or the treatmento fr espiratory diseases in different European countries. Since 1969, the Romanian speleotherapy association organizes international scientific conferences. The main curative factor consists in an aerosol of sodium chloride and oligo-elements coming from the convective erosion of the walls of the mine. The inhalation of hypertonic saline aerosol induces hyperosmolar stimulation, increases mucociliary clearance, has ab actericidal effect and reduces bronchial inflammation. Salt and moisture increase the fluidity of the bronchial mucosa and