Family Club Aquaterra - Salt Cave: indications and contraindications for children

Medical studies have found that staying in salt caves has a beneficial effect on human health and well-being, speeds up recovery and helps with various diseases. Today, salt caves are becoming increasingly popular. Equipped rooms and premises can be easily found in every city. In this article we will look at the benefits and contraindications to such treatment. Let's find out at what age and how often children can visit the salt cave.

Design and principles of operation

In a special block, a special microclimate is created with air that is saturated with bromine and calcium ions, iodine and bromine, selenium, sodium, magnesium and other useful minerals. By the way, in artificial caves the process of ion release proceeds faster than in natural ones. This block is called a halochamber, and treatment with ions and salts is called halotherapy.

The essence of this treatment is that a person inhales saturated ionized air. It stimulates metabolism, quickly removes toxins and harmful substances from the body. As practice shows, five sessions of forty minutes in a halo chamber are equal to a week's stay at sea.

By the way, doctors recommend taking a child over three years old to the sea at least once a year. This is especially true for children who live in cold or harsh climates, in regions where there is little sun, and for children with chronic diseases.

A trip to the southern sea areas with a mild and warm climate will have a healing effect, increase and strengthen the immune system, charge the body with strength and energy, fill it with useful elements and important vitamin D. You can find out more about at what age you can take your child to the sea in the article about acclimatization of the baby.

However, not all parents can go to the sea every year. In addition, you also need to maintain your immunity throughout the year. In this case, your doctor may recommend visiting a salt cave. The main advantage of the halochamber is its immediate healing effect. So improvements are noticeable after the second or third forty-minute session.

How does a salt room work?

Family SPA, Moscow
The healing effect of staying in an artificial salt cave is based on the positive effect of a special microclimate on the body. As a rule, the walls of the halochamber are lined with salt, and the interior is given a themed coloring, thereby creating an imitation of being in a real underground cave. But the main and necessary condition for conducting controlled halotherapy is a halogenerator - a device that fills the air in the room with tiny (1-5 microns) salt particles.

At the same time, the automation controls the size of the produced particles and the level of salt aerosol concentration in the room. Thus, throughout the healing session, clearly defined parameters of the dry salt aerosol are maintained, necessary for the most complete and effective effect on various body systems.

Beneficial properties and effects of a salt cave

Ionized air cleanses the respiratory tract and saturates the body's cells with oxygen. Thanks to a visit to the salt cave, the lungs are cleansed and the functioning of the respiratory organs is restored. Allergens, viruses and harmful bacteria are removed from the body. This procedure speeds up the treatment of diseases of the respiratory tract, ENT organs and skin, allergies and various infections in a child.

Inhaling ionized air saturates cells with oxygen, stimulates the formation of the body's defenses, which increases and strengthens the immune system. Therapeutic therapy does not require taking medications, which creates advantages over other methods of treating the child.

At the same time, the kids will feel comfortable and interesting in the block. They can play in the salt sandbox. In addition, many rooms have playrooms and various activities for children. For adults, a salt cave has the same beneficial effect. It helps with diseases of the skin, respiratory tract, helps cope with smoking, depression and insomnia. You can go to the room with your child, which will diversify your leisure time and allow you to spend time together.

Staying in the salt room calms and improves the functioning of the nervous system, improves sleep. Such procedures are suitable for both adults and children. Already after the second or third session, improvements are noticeable, including a decrease in runny nose and cough. However, in any case, there are indications and contraindications for children and adults.

Speleotherapy at home

A little history

Procedures involving inhalation of clean air in a salt room are called halotherapy. This method was widely used in the late 80s of the last century. However, the properties of salt to disinfect the air were known back in Ancient Greece, where there are quite a lot of natural salt caves.

This method was first tested in Europe by the Poles, who tried to build a hospital simulating the climatic conditions of salt mines.

The first artificial chamber in which one could breathe salt aerosol appeared in Perm in 1982. The USSR Ministry of Health officially accepted and approved the technique in 1990. Nowadays, speleological chambers can be found in almost any decent sanatorium, in some clinics and health centers.

Operating principle

In speleological chambers, they try to create conditions as close as possible to the natural climate of salt caves and mines. Dry salt aerosol, according to experts, dilutes bronchial secretions, along with which allergens, toxins, and bacteria leave the human body. The ciliated epithelium is restored faster, which is why respiratory ailments such as bronchial asthma, bronchitis, allergic respiratory diseases and some others can be cured faster.

The fact is that dry sprayed salt has a high penetrating ability, and even in small quantities microscopic salt particles penetrate deep into the respiratory organs and tissues. Salt on the walls and ceiling helps create a completely allergen-free space.

Usually a person spends 10-15 minutes in the caving chamber. The duration of the average course is about two weeks. Such procedures can be prescribed to children not only for diseases of the respiratory system, but also after a strong emotional shock that the child has suffered, for certain skin problems, as well as during the recovery period after surgical operations.

Officially, pulmonary tuberculosis, acute respiratory viral infections or influenza in the acute period, as well as children under 3 years of age are considered contraindications to such treatment.

Komarovsky on the effectiveness of the caving chamber

Parents who have long been struggling with chronic respiratory diseases in children or childhood allergies are ready for any procedures that promise them relief. Halotherapy is no exception.

At the same time, rarely do any adults pay attention to what the room itself is like. Now there are quite a lot of unaccredited “health resorts”, which are sometimes built right in apartments, covering the walls and ceilings with layers of salt. Such places cannot be considered speleological chambers. Without a device that produces an aerosol of sodium chloride, there can be no talk of any effect.

As for cameras with accreditation and aerosol, Evgeniy Komarovsky believes that they help a lot, but only for their owners, who have built a profitable business on it. The average cost of one session in Russia is from 500 rubles.

According to the doctor, the salt chamber does not affect the immune system in any way and does not have a preventive effect. An alternative that is equally effective is a walk in the fresh air. You just don’t have to pay anyone for it.

Serious diseases of the respiratory system, according to Komarovsky, cannot be treated with salt chambers. But children with allergies really breathe easier in it. But, unfortunately, it is impossible to live life without leaving the salt room. Outside the chamber, the child again finds himself in an environment with a lot of allergens around, and the effect disappears.

It’s up to parents to decide whether to spend money on halotherapy or save it and buy their child an air humidifier for their room, which will help create excellent conditions for the prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases.

See the program by Dr. Komarovsky about the benefits of a salt cave.

You will learn more about halotherapy by watching the following program.

Seasonal colds in children are normal. Not a single child has ever grown up without colds, runny nose and cough. And if the baby has a strong immune system, he can easily cope with the disease, and repeated “recurrences” of colds can occur only after 2-3 months, or even six months. But if for some reason the baby’s immune system fails, he begins to get sick more often.

It is possible to strengthen the defenses of a child’s body, but it is very difficult to do: regular hardening, proper fortified nutrition, long walks in the fresh air, and physical exercise will help. In some cases, doctors prescribe courses of halotherapy for children suffering from respiratory diseases - visiting salt caves or rooms. What are salt caves, the benefits and harms of such procedures for children - this is the topic of today's conversation.

Indications for visiting the salt cave

• Weakened immunity, acute respiratory viral infections, severe cough and runny nose. Cleanses the lungs and reduces inflammation;
• Diseases of the lungs and respiratory tract, ENT diseases, which include rhinitis, sinusitis, etc. Improves breathing, relieves headaches, improves sleep and prevents the transition to a chronic disease;
• Chronical bronchitis. Regular procedures prevent exacerbation of the disease and improve breathing, eliminate wheezing;
• Bronchial asthma in remission. The use of this therapy is possible only after the spasm has been relieved;
• Skin diseases, including dermatitis and psoriasis, acne, eczema and seborrhea. Healing air improves oxygen exchange in skin cells, improves blood circulation, and gradually eliminates the symptoms of the disease;
• Fatigue, stress, neurosis, depression, insomnia. Calms and improves sleep, relaxes, activates the internal forces of the body, increases performance and energizes;
• Prevention of colds, lung and respiratory tract diseases. Restores and strengthens the immune system, relieves stress from the body;
• Allergic diseases. Removes toxins, allergens, forms natural ventilation of the lungs. Read here what to do if your baby has allergies.

Indications for salt procedures

Any medical procedure has its indication. Thus, a child needs a speleo-chamber or halo-chamber for treatment and prevention:

• frequent colds;
• diseases of ENT organs;
• allergic diseases;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• neurological pathologies;
• bronchial asthma;
• skin diseases.

Your doctor will tell you whether your child has an indication to visit the salt room. If necessary, he will prescribe additional tests.

Contraindications for children

We looked at the benefits of a salt cave. But are there any disadvantages to using this therapy? Please note that this is an unsafe procedure, and negative consequences may occur if the recommendations are not followed. There are babies who may not tolerate salt sprays. In addition, for some diseases and manifestations, the use of healing ionic air is prohibited.

The procedure is contraindicated if the child or adult has the following signs or diseases:

• Allergy to salts and salt aerosols, individual intolerance;
• Heat;
• Oncological diseases;
• Exacerbation of infectious and chronic diseases, bronchial asthma;
• Tuberculosis;
• Epilepsy;
• Serious mental disorders, claustrophobia;
• Substance abuse and drug addiction;
• Severe poisoning of the body;
• Chills and fever with ARVI;
• Ischemia and hypertension;
• Bleeding;
• Acute and chronic kidney diseases;
• Purulent processes in the body;
• Chronic coronary insufficiency.

Reviews from doctors indicate that halotherapy for children is very useful. As practice shows, 90% of children with regular treatment completely get rid of the listed diseases. However, it is important to follow the rules and recommendations when visiting to avoid negative consequences. After all, acute diseases can worsen even more. In addition, the baby may experience an allergic reaction.

Reviews

Anna, 20 years old, signed up for therapy sessions on the recommendation of her doctor. I was suffering from chronic sinusitis. But there were no contraindications for treatment. After five sessions, the runny nose began to subside. The salt room therapy helped a lot!

Sergey, 45 years old My son was bothered by a strong cough. Judging by the doctor's testimony, it was possible to begin sessions in the salt rooms. At the first session, a severe coughing attack began. But after ten visits to the wellness room, the illness completely disappeared.

Maria, 34 years old, signed up for therapy courses after developing pharyngitis. I had a severe headache, a suffocating cough, and sinusitis began to develop. There were many contraindications. The attending physician suggested treatment in salt rooms. After the first therapy I felt an improvement. The ailments disappeared after fifteen visits. In addition, blood circulation and general condition of the body have improved.

Possible exacerbations after visiting the salt room

Halo exacerbation is an individual reaction of the body to being in the microclimate of a salt mine. It occurs after 4-5 procedures in approximately 80% of children. Possible complications:

• Cough. Salt aerosol has a mucolytic effect and irritates the bronchi. The complication goes away by the 6th–7th session.
• Slight increase in body temperature. This is the body’s reaction to strengthen immunity against hidden foci of infection.
• Runny nose. Salt ions dilute nasal secretions and remove them. You should clean your nose after the procedure.

Haloexacerbation is the body’s reaction to getting rid of allergens and bacteria.

If symptoms of complications are observed for more than 3 days, you should stop sessions and consult a doctor for advice on the need for further treatment.

Features of speleotherapy

The halotherapy process consists of several stages. The session proceeds as follows:

• Children go into the room where they sit on sun loungers or play in the salt sandbox.
• Through the ventilation system, a dry aerosol is supplied into the room using a halogenerator.
• The air is filtered as it passes through the salt blocks.
• Microparticles of salt ions settle on the child’s skin epithelium and then penetrate inside.
• The body gradually adapts to the special microclimate of the room, the cells are saturated with oxygen.

After completing the session, you should wash your baby’s hands and rinse his eyes so that the salt does not damage the mucous membranes.

Composition of aerosol for halotherapy

The therapeutic effect of a salt cave depends on the substances present in the dry aerosol. The sprayer may include:

Rules for visiting the halo chamber

The standard course of salt treatment is 10 procedures, each of which lasts 20–30 minutes for children 1–12 years old. For teenagers, the recommended adult session time is 50–60 minutes. Therapy should be repeated every six months, unless there are indications for more frequent courses.

The break between procedures should not exceed 2 days.

The effectiveness of halotherapy is due to compliance with certain rules for visiting the salt room. These include the following:

• It is recommended to eat no later than an hour before the procedure.
• Children under 7 years old must visit the salt room accompanied by an adult.
• Do not rub your eyes - this can cause a salt burn.
• It is forbidden to run during the session; you should sit quietly in a chair or play with brought toys in the equipped children's corner.
• You must have replacement shoes or shoe covers with you.
• It is better to stay awake during the session. Salt ions do not penetrate deeply into tissues and organs during sleep, which reduces the effectiveness of treatment.
• The child should be dressed for procedures in clothes made from natural materials (cotton, linen).
• It is forbidden to drink or eat food for half an hour after completion of the procedure.