Vacations in the mountains or on the coasts not only offer relaxation from stressful everyday life. For certain diseases, the stay in the context of climatic therapy can even have healing properties. The prerequisite, however, is that the local vacation lasts at least three weeks.
What is climatic therapy?
Climatic therapy is a healing procedure in which affected people spend a certain amount of time in regions with specific climatic conditions. Climatic therapy is a healing procedure in which affected persons spend a certain amount of time in regions with specific climatic conditions. Particularly suitable here are, for example, the sea, the Alps or mountains. The time should be spent primarily in nature and less in large cities to take advantage of the medical effect. Climatic therapy is particularly often used for diseases that affect the skin and respiratory tract. Studies have shown that the positive results are not short-lived, but are still noticeable after the vacation. In this way, specific diseases can be alleviated without chemical aids. A disadvantage, however, is the cost, which is usually not covered by health insurance, but must be paid in full. Which regions are suitable depends above all on the individual complaints. A differentiation is made between marine climate, low mountain climate and high mountain climate. The low mountain climate starts from an altitude of 500 to 1200 meters, the high mountain climate includes further heights.
Function, effect and objectives
The goal of climatic therapy is to naturally alleviate skin and respiratory complaints. Thus, the treatment belongs to an approach of naturopathy. However, the positive effects could be scientifically confirmed. The starting point of climatic therapy is a climate change that takes place. The body must adapt to the new conditions such as wind, sun and wind, whereby among other things the immune system can be strengthened effectively. Further differentiation is made in the context of climatic therapy. Thus, in terrain therapy, the goal is to combine physical activity with climatic stimuli. In heliotherapy, on the other hand, diseased skin sections may be exposed to the sun. During fresh air lie therapy, cooler temperatures are exploited. At the same time, patients lie down during the treatment. Climatic therapy is suitable for a wide variety of ailments. It is often used in case of allergy. In such a case, the chosen region should preferably be in the high mountains. Here, people with neurodermatitis, asthma or a hypersensitivity to pollen and pollutants can benefit from the air, which is usually much cleaner than in cities. For example, house dust mites in particular are responsible for the development of neurodermatitis with their droppings. However, they cannot survive at high altitudes because of the change in humidity. For such an effect, places with an altitude of over 1500 meters should be visited. Furthermore, molds cannot normally be found in such areas. These cause respiratory problems especially for people suffering from asthma. The trip to the high mountains reduces existing discomfort during breathing. In most cases, the dosage of medication can be lowered during climate therapy. Attacks due to hay fever are less frequent in high areas. On the one hand, the amount of circulating pollen is considerably lower, and on the other hand, the blooming phase is shorter. In the case of skin diseases, vacation spots where there is direct sunlight are suitable. This can be used, for example, in psoriasis, because it inhibits the inflammatory processes in the cells. It is important, however, that the sun reaches the skin without sunscreen. However, sunburn should be avoided at all costs. How long the sun’s rays may be enjoyed thus depends above all on the individual skin type. Another useful climatic zone is the sea. Here, the rough wind and salt water in particular have a positive effect on health. The sea climate contributes to the decongestion of the mucous membranes and the salt water in the air can loosen stuck mucus. This liquefies and penetrates more easily to the outside. At the same time, the droplets are suitable for psoriasis. The salt content has an anti-inflammatory effect.In the low mountain range, the organism is relieved by the prevailing climate, because the numerous trees largely limit the effect of heat and UV rays. Thus, climatic therapy is used for various ailments. It can sustainably improve health without chemical drugs and side effects.
Risks, side effects and dangers
Undesirable side effects are not to be expected due to climatic therapy. Disadvantages are mainly the costs, which can be larger for a longer stay. Furthermore, the vacation should be at least three weeks long. Especially in everyday working life, such a time is not always easy to achieve or goes hand in hand with the fact that the days off have to be saved in other places, which in turn can result in more stress. Otherwise, the advantages usually outweigh the disadvantages when used correctly. Those who are drawn to the sea for health reasons or to the mountains with direct sunlight should take care of their skin. Every sunburn not only increases the risk of skin cancer, it can also aggravate the symptoms of existing skin problems. Accordingly, the useful sun should not be enjoyed throughout the day. At a certain point, protective clothing is recommended, as well as well-tolerated sunscreen. Although three weeks pass quickly, they can have a lasting effect on health. Thus, the positive effects can usually be seen even after a few weeks or even months.
