April 2010
Now we have written quite a few blogs here about travelling with specific medical conditions, but what about going on holiday somewhere to try and actually cure your condition??
Well if you are planning a holiday to Eastern Europe, and you suffer from a respiratory illness, then you could do just that by visiting a salt cave, a damp underground environment lined with geological formations of salt. In Hungary, for example, the treatment, which is known as halotherapy, is common for respiratory problems, like asthma or hayfever, and skin complaints
But don’t worry if you are not planning a holiday to Eastern Europe, because these treatments are now starting to gain popularity in the UK too – the first one is in Wandsworth, South London. The ‘cave’ is actually artificial – but salt enriched air is pumped into the room to mirror as closely as possible a natural salt cave. Sophia Benke, who is a native Hungarian, opened the salt cave in 2009.
Another salt cave is being opened later this year in Tunbridge Wells with one to follow in Marylebone, West London.
So is there an actual medical explanation for this? According to Mr David Roberts, Consultant Ear Nose and Throat surgeon at Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Trust, salty air is inflammatory. It causes the lining of the nose to shrink, thereby opening up some of the narrow passages, allowing the sinuses to drain and ventilate more easily. Also, the salt may dissolve the gel like coverings that protect bacterial colonies in the nose, thereby killing infection
Well it seems like it could be worth a try – especially as the first session is free – but it would be far more interesting visiting an authentic cave in Eastern Europe I reckon! What do you think?
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