|
 Radon baths are a variety of the radon therapy, prepared using
mineral waters containing radon. Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless
radioactive gas that is formed from the naturally occurring radioactive decay
of radium and uranium. The main working factor of radon are alpha rays which
have an array of properties and are successfully used in the treatment of
peripheral nervous system, locomotorium, vascular, gynecological and some
cutaneous diseases and also post-burn complications. During radon bath,
unstable products of radon decay form the so called «active fur» on the skin, and
its concentration increases even with slight movements of the patient in the
bath or in the basin. It consolidates its grip on one's skin firmly enough and
remains on the skin for 2-3 hours. The patient, being in the bath, is exposed
to radon radiation which penetrates the skin and through the lungs into the
blood flow.
The beneficial medicinal effect of radon procedures is
conditioned by their pronounced anti-painful, anti-inflammatory and
calming
properties. Positive improvements in the functioning of cardiovascular
system occur
under the effect of radon therapy: the rate of cordial contractions
decreases
along with the arterial pressure which creates conditions favorable for
the improvement
of cordial activity in general. Radon therapy improves the joint
mobility,
increases body immunity, has positive effects on blood pressure and
improves
blood circulation, while radon baths provide a wonderful therapeutic
effect for
treatment of peripheral vessel diseases.
Due to ionizing radiation effect, radon baths positively
affect the central nervous system, balance the energy processes,
decrease the
pain syndrome and help normalize sleep.
The exploration of the effect of radon on the human body began
late in the XIX century, and since that time miscellaneous evidence has
been
acquired proving the beneficial power of radon baths in treatment of
numerous
painful conditions. Long-term scientific studies have found that
exposure to small
doses of radon radiation improves the regenerative processes in the
lymphoid
and hematopoietic tissues and this enhances immune response of the human
body, and
improves its immune status. It was noted that a course of radon therapy
strengthens
immunity protection against viruses and infections, and helps to better
cope
with the identification and suppression of growth of altered cells in
case of existing
autoimmune diseases.
Radioactive water baths have been applied since 1906 in
Jachymov, Czech Republic, but even before radon discovery they were used
in Bad
Gastein, Austria. Radium-rich springs are also used in traditional
Japanese
onsen in Misasa. In the United States and Europe there are several
«radon spas»,
where people sit for minutes or hours in a high-radon atmosphere in the
belief
that low doses of radiation will invigorate or energize them.
The practical experience made it possible to develop specific
radon baths treatment methods which are prescribed as medicinal showers,
general bathes, semi-bathes, local bathes (4-celled), contrasting baths,
pearly
baths, coniferous baths, turpentine baths and also the treatment in the
basin
with therapeutic physical training complex. Radon bathes are also
successfully
used for gynecological irrigations and hydro-massage of gums.
Recently radon baths have been included into the
regenerative therapy for patients with locomotorium traumas and adrenal
glands
dysfunction, to stimulate the secretion of special hormones which help
to
strengthen the protective mechanisms of the body. For the treatment of
osteochondrosis, «the disease of our age», underwater spine extension in
a
basin with radon water is successfully applied. Radon baths are also
helpful in
the treatment of diabetes, gout and obesity. In the latter case, radon
bath
therapy stimulates increased activity of hydrolytic enzymes, which leads
to a
reduction of lipids and their fractions. Thus, radon baths have a
positive
impact on the lipolysis in adipose tissue by normalization of metabolic
processes, and therefore help reduce body weight. When combined with
low-calorie diet, radon baths can help lose weight faster than by diet
alone. Moreover,
radon baths have a positive effect on the badly damaged skin and
accelerate the
healing in case of inflammatory conditions.
Radon baths have been effectively used in the treatment of
gynecological diseases, and diseases of the urogenital area. For quite a
long
time, radon baths have been successfully used in the treatment of
ovarian cysts,
endometriosis, fibromatosis, and kraurosis, a precancerous condition of
external
genitalia. The efficiency of treatment of fibroids with radon baths may
compete
with the results of fibroid surgery. At the same time, radon baths
cannot be
taken during pregnancy, in case of ovaries hypofunction, and some
varieties of
infertility or suspected malignant tumors.
In addition, contraindications to the use of radon baths include
leukopenia, any stage of radiation sickness, certain conditions
associated with
a permanent stay of patients in the areas of total exposure to
radiation. High radon
concentrations are contraindicated in case of obvious changes in the
nervous
and cardiovascular systems. Do not take radon baths if you suffer from
hypothyroidism, when the production of hormones by the thyroid gland is
decreased. The decision about radon baths therapy should be taken by a
physician
based on the detailed study of the patient's history and in the absence
of
contraindications.
|
