Treatment in Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary - the most popular Czech resort and one of the most popular balneological resorts in Europe. Karlovy Vary is located at the confluence of the Ohre, Rolava and Tepla rivers, there is a foothill, temperate continental climate, with warm, snowless winters and not hot rainy summers. The resort specializes in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and metabolic disorders, and the main treatment method is a course of local mineral water.
How is treatment carried out in Karlovy Vary
After checking into a spa hotel, a nurse immediately invites you to a doctor or sets an appointment. It is recommended to bring with you a medical statement from the attending physician, the results of the latest medical tests and examinations, preferably printed. If you are not prepared for the trip, then all the information necessary for the doctor of the spa hotel can be obtained at the resort: a general blood test and an ECG are usually included in the price of the treatment package, and for a fee you can get advice from surgeons, orthopedist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist, radiologist, undergo laboratory and allergological examinations. Based on the results of the initial examination, the collected medical history and examination data, the doctor will individually draw up a course of drinking treatment and form a set of necessary procedures.
In practice, it is proved that the optimal duration of the Karlovy Vary spa treatment is 21 days. The minimum period for achieving a tangible effect is 2 weeks, but in this case it is recommended to repeat the course twice a year. With the patient's age, the recommended treatment period increases, since the adaptive properties of the body weaken and take more time to acclimatize.
Drinking cure
The basis of the whole Karlovy Vary treatment is the use of thermal mineral water rising from a depth of two kilometers. In Karlovy Vary, 13 springs of sodium-bicarbonate-sulfate thermal water with an acidity of pH=6.9 and a high content of carbon dioxide, sulfates and chlorine have been developed and used for therapeutic purposes. The chemical composition of water in different springs is practically no different, since all of it comes from one underground lake, but due to the fact that it comes to the surface in different ways, it has a different temperature and concentration of carbon dioxide.
| № | Spring | Colonnade | Temperature, °C | CO2, mg/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vřídlo / Hot | Hot | 72 | 350 |
| 2 | Karla IV / Charles IV | Market | 64 | 400 |
| 3 | Zámecký dolní / Lover castle | Castle | 55 | 572 |
| 4 | Zámecký horní / Upper castle | Castle | 61 | 763 |
| 5 | Tržní / Market | Market | 62 | 400 |
| 6 | Mlýnský / Mill | Mill | 56 | 600 |
| 7 | Rusalka / Rusalka | Mill | 60 | 584 |
| 8 | Kníže Václav / Prince Wenceslas I and II | Mill | 65 | 514 |
| 9 | Libuše / Libuse | Mill | 62 | 552 |
| 10 | Skalní / Rock | Mill | 53 | 700 |
| 11 | Svoboda / Freedom | Own pavilion | 60 | 573 |
| 12 | Sadový / Park | Park | 47 | 900 |
| 13 | Hadí / Snake | Park | 30 | 1600 |
Dosage, frequency of intake and choice of spring should always be trusted by the doctor, as chaotic intake of healing mineral water can not only become useless, but also harm the body, causing diarrhea, constipation, increased blood pressure or provoking exacerbation of chronic disease. There is also a risk that sand or stones in the biliary tract will begin to move. Doctors in Karlovy Vary always give their patients a number of instructions regarding water intake rules:
- Drink water directly from the spring
- Thermal water must be drunk from ceramic or porcelain dishes, preferably from special brushes with a spout, but not from plastic dishes, in contact with which the water is neutralized useful trace elements
- Water should be drunk in small sips, which is why it is more convenient to use a spa cup, but you can use a normal straw
- Thermal water intake is highly recommended not to be combined with smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages, as this significantly reduces the therapeutic effect of water on the body.
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| Cations | Content, mg/L | Anions | Content, mg/L |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ammonium | 0,14 | Fluorine | 2,4 |
| Lithium | 3,3 | Chlorine | 617,0 |
| Potassium | 104,2 | Bromine | 1,4 |
| Sodium | 1717,4 | Sulfate | 1662,0 |
| Calcium | 102,5 | Bicarbonate | 2100,0 |
| Strontium | 0,3 | Hydroarsenite | 0,1 |
| Magnesium | 46,5 | ||
| Iron | 0,1 | ||
| In total: | 1974,44 | In total: | 4382,9 |
| Carbonic acid | 400,0 | Total mineralization: 6849,64 mg/L | |
| Silicic acid | 88,4 | ||
| Metaboric acid | 3,9 | ||
It is necessary to tell about the impact of water on the human body. Karlovy Vary thermal water increases the resistance of the esophageal mucous membrane and stomach to the Helicobacter pylori bacterium, which provokes the development of ulcers, gastritis, duodenitis, oncological processes, but does not eliminate it - this is the task of antibiotics. Local water restores esophageal mucosa, bacterial flora of the intestine, improves liver cell function, quantity and quality of bile, reduces the risk of concrements, can reduce the existing ones. Improves digestion by releasing pancreas juice, acts on the intestines, improves its function, with the correct selection of the spring the water is able to remove constipation and diarrhea. Slows down atherosclerosis, cleans vessels. Hydrocarbons reduce acidity in gastroesophageal reflux disease and increased secretory activity. Water has diuretic, uricosuric properties, which is why uric acid is removed from the patient's body.
Mineral water has anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects, is involved in the hormonal regulation of intestinal function, enhances the output of bile, increases the ability of the pancreas to produce digestive enzymes. In diabetes mellitus, taking thermal water lowers blood sugar, increases insulin levels in the pancreas, improves metabolism. In case of liver diseases, water intake increases the level of glycogen necessary for normal liver activity, in general, liver activity normalizes.
Diet therapy
The most important factor for the successful treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and metabolism in Karlovy Vary, however, as everywhere else, is adherence to a dietary regime. A number of spa houses in Karlovy Vary offer traditional diet meals divided into tables that take into account the special dietary needs of the guest. Otherwise, it is always possible to use the services of an in-house nutritionist or diet nurse, who will select the best diet based on the diagnosis and recommendations of the attending physician. Restaurants also often meet guests with food allergies, lactose, gluten intolerance, vegetarians, vegans and try to satisfy other individual wishes.
Balneological procedures
Thermal waters from Karlovy Vary springs are used not only for ingestion, but also for external use. In almost all medical institutions, water from the Hot spring is used for this purpose. The main balneological procedures include pearl, carbon dioxide or simple mineral baths, baths with additives, Charcot shower, circular shower, whirlpool baths for limbs, underwater massage, hydroxer. Carbon dioxide baths improve blood circulation in the brain, heart, lungs and kidneys, and lower blood pressure. Pearl baths soothe the autonomic nervous system. Underwater massage relaxes muscles, removes muscle spasms and joint stiffness, improves joint mobility, and soothes the nervous system. These procedures relieve pain symptoms, improve blood circulation, and have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system.
With concomitant respiratory diseases, mineral water is used for inhalation. A frequent complication of diabetes mellitus is periodontal disease, which is treated in Karlovy Vary according to a special technique for irrigating gums with mineral water. Another special technique is washing the intestines with mineral water, which is prescribed for motor disorders, with constipation and problems associated with the intestines. If there are concomitant dermatological diseases, then Dead Sea salt can be added to mineral baths.
Mud therapy
Mud therapy is presented in spa hotels in the form of peat baths and applications, in some - in the form of parafango. Mud for procedures is delivered from Marianske Lazne or Slavkovsky forest. Mud procedures have anti-inflammatory effects, relieve chronic pain cramps, improve joint mobility, stimulate tissue repair processes, strengthen immunity, and promote metabolic rate. Paraffin applications, which improve metabolism at the application sites, are also a popular type of thermotherapy.
Gas therapy
The basis of gas treatment is the use of natural carbon dioxide in procedures such as gas injections and dry carbon dioxide baths. Gas injections for a long time relieve pain in the spine and joints, and dry carbonic baths - one of the main methods of treatment of the cardiovascular system.
Additional procedures
To consolidate and enhance the effect of treatment with natural factors, various physiotherapeutic methods of treatment are prescribed in a complex: electrotherapy, currents of various frequencies, diadynamic currents, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, laser therapy. Physical procedures are very effective and popular: massage (reflex, classic, Thai, with lava stones, etc.), group and individual physical education in gym and a swimming pool. These procedures have a wide range of effects on the body, primarily aimed at reducing pain, eliminating chronic inflammatory processes, have a decongestant and stimulating effect, and improve motor activity. Some spa hotels have underwater and dry spinal traction.
Particular attention is paid to patients with diabetes with complications. Complications primarily affect the vascular and nervous systems. Patients have problems with blood circulation in the lower extremities, bleeding appears, patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 begin to complain of leg pain, a cold in them, a violation of sensitivity. For them, the standard course of treatment, including drinking, diet and gymnastics, is supplemented in Karlovy Vary by special procedures that improve blood circulation and the condition of nerve endings in the lower extremities. Such procedures include, for example, an extremiter: a person puts his foot in a special tube and there, under vacuum compression, tissue trophism improves, blood circulation improves. Carbon dioxide is supplied to the pipe, which increases the efficiency of these processes.
Another frequent complication of diabetes in men is impaired potency. To do this, there is a special magnetotherapy technique, when a person sits on a special chair and is exposed to a magnetic field from below, which improves and enhances the functioning of the muscles of the small pelvis. Women have problems with urinary incontinence, this procedure also helps well in such situations. Another unique procedure is "Stimsmart", a special procedure in which diencephalic modulation is performed: a special device with two electrodes is put on the head, to which a current of no more than 4 mA is applied. With its help, the work of brain cells, the diencephalon is normalized, later sugar parameters improve.
Treatment for children in Karlovy Vary
Many are interested in the opportunity to come to Karlovy Vary for treatment with a child. Thermal water intake for children can only be prescribed by a pediatrician after the child reaches the age of three. Also, from three years old, the course of treatment includes mineral and pearl baths, a jacuzzi, Charkot shower, underwater massage with a limitation of 1.5-2 atm., Kneipp path, hydropuncture, inhalations, mud applications and parafango. Mud wraps are prescribed from 14-15 years. Important in the rehabilitation of children is the use of physical therapy, swimming, gymnastics in the pool, Nordic walking, halotherapy.
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Indications for treatment in Karlovy Vary
Gastrointestinal diseases
- Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Barrett's esophagus
- Chronic and acute gastritis
- Cholangitis, cholecystitis
- Functional and chronic diseases of the liver, biliary tract, gall bladder
- Recovery after operations on the stomach, gall bladder
- The condition after cholecystectomy is not earlier than 1-2 months, but not later than 6 months
- Conditions after viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis
- Condition after liver transplantation
- Pancreatitis
- Functional diseases of the colon: diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation
Metabolic disorders
- Diabetes mellitus type 1 in a state of compensation or subcompensation, hyperglycemia not higher than 9 mmol/L, mild and moderate severity without a tendency to ketoacidosis and hypoglycemic conditions
- Diabetes mellitus type 2 of mild to moderate severity in a state of sustainable compensation without a tendency to acidosis
- Gout
- Obesity
- Hyperlipoproteinemia
Concomitant diseases of the musculoskeletal system
- Arthritis
- Arthrosis
- Osteoarthrosis
- Osteochondrosis
- Scoliosis
- Degenerative diseases of the spine
- Post-traumatic and postoperative conditions
Contraindications for treatment in Karlovy Vary
- All acute diseases
- Chronic diseases in the acute stage
- Oncological diseases in the phase of therapy
- Some skin diseases - some procedures are contraindicated
- The presence of multiple calculi in the biliary tract
- Tuberculosis in the active stage
- Acute heart failure
- Cirrhosis of the liver with ascites
- Biliary tract infections
- Acute bleeding
- Pregnancy (consultation is needed)
- Smoking
- Alcohol addiction
- Uncompensated diabetes mellitus
- Gastrointestinal surgery performed less than 2 months ago
- Gastric or duodenal ulcer - not earlier than 1 month after completion of the antibiotics course
Do you have no enough information about the treatment at the Karlovy Vary resort? Get a free consultation with a balneologist, by calling toll-free numbers or ask a question here.