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Radon baths
Basic methods of the spa radon therapy were developed and put into practical use for the treatment of various diseases back in the early XX century. Most of the techniques have become very widespread and have been constantly improved. A lot of scientific research is devoted to the treatment of stroke patients at the resorts with the help of radon baths. The high efficiency of radon waters treatment is proved by the research that has been conducted.
It should be noted that other types of radon therapy are now being used as well. For example, the so-called "dry baths" which are air-radon baths devoid of an aqueous component, however, they retain specific effects of alpha radiation, or procedures using natural radon vapor.
This alpha-radiation is the main active factor of all radon procedures. It is formed during the decay of radon, which is an inert gas. In the decay of the daughter products of radon decay, which are abundant in water, there is also alpha radiation.
Key principles
Radon is deposited on the patient’s skin while he/she is taking a bath, together with its daughter products: radium A, B and C. They form an active plaque that affects the patient's skin with alpha radiation for 2-3 hours after the bath. Radon then enters the bloodstream through the skin and spreads to the internal organs and media. Nevertheless, in comparison to the skin, the dose of radiation received by internal media is low. Radiobiological methods of research have made it possible to establish that when irradiating the upper layers of the stratum corneum of the skin, radiotoxins (radiolysis products) are formed that can penetrate the dermis. Radiotoxins can cause disturbances in the processes of oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis, thus they affect the function of the cells. The changes occurring in the cellular exchange are accompanied by the release of histamine and serotonin, biologically active substances, which in turn are the source of many body reactions, including afferent impulses.
The deposition of radon in the skin, as well as the speed of its entry into tissues and blood, is influenced by the temperature of the bath, the movements made by the patient in the water, and the gas composition of the water. Radon leaves the skin slower at a temperature of 36 ° C and spreads through the body at a temperature of 38 ° C. If carbon dioxide is present in the water (it settles on the patient's skin in the form of small bubbles), then the active coating on the skin appears less intensively, which also reduces the osmosis effect of radon on the body.
Therapeutic mechanism
Clinical and experimental data have been accumulated during last several years which make a basis for an approach to the analysis of radon waters therapeutic effect mechanism at the level of the systemic response of the body.
One of the main mechanisms of radon alpha radiations is the influence exerted on all levels of the nervous system. Irritation of the skin’s nerve endings reduces their threshold of sensitivity, and as a result of penetration of radon into the internal environment, the threshold of sensitivity of the nerve endings located in the organs changes. Back in 1936, it was suggested that radon affects the receptor apparatus of the heart, thereby altering its work. Later this conjecture was confirmed in the course of various studies. It was established a decrease in alpha and beta-adrenergic sensitivity, which was influenced by radon baths and drinking radon water. The effect of certain radon doses on hemodynamic processes which was carried out through the corresponding adrenal receptors was determined as well. Moreover, a change in the functional state of protein molecules and the change in the tissues of large vessels of the level of individual biogenic amines were noted.
Changes in the state of the nervous system, manifested as an intensification of inhibition processes and balancing of the nervous processes that occur under the influence of radon baths, have been confirmed by means of electroencephalography, as well as clinical signs of analgesic and sedative action of the baths.
Speaking about the radon baths therapeutic effect, it is necessary to separately address the changes taking place in neurohumoral systems that have an important role in the regulation of the circulatory system. It was found that taking radon baths increased the concentration of catecholamines in various tissues in laboratory rats, and when drinking radon water - in the tissues of the adrenal glands.
Another important mechanism is the effect of radon baths on the circulatory system. Alpha radiation causes the reactions of vessels belonging to the microcirculatory bed in a reflex-humoral way affecting the vessels and receptors of the skin.
The change in the terminal link of the circulation, which recreates the transportation of oxygen to the tissues and transcapillary exchange, is particularly important in the baths therapeutic effect mechanism on stroke patients.
Studies aimed at the researching of microcirculation, including thermographic definitions and methods of conjunctival biomicroscopy, showed an increase in the number of active capillaries and acceleration of blood flow into the capillaries, occurring immediately after administration of the radon bath. There is a peculiar "training" in the two-phase reaction of blood vessels.
The role of radon in the ongoing changes in microcirculation is proved both by the different degrees of acceleration of capillary blood flow, and by comparing the overall dynamics of microcirculation with those occurring after fresh baths. Also, the evidence is a change in microcirculation after air-radon baths, where the action of water is excluded. Evidence has also been obtained on the effect of radon baths on vascular reactivity. It manifests itself as a decrease in sensitivity to norepinephrine and angiotensin.
Thus, radon baths affect central and peripheral hemodynamics. There is a dependence of radon concentration in the baths and the direction of their action. The best effect for stroke patients is provided by the baths with a small concentration of radon - no more than 80-120 nCi /L. This proves that among other active factors of the bath - temperature and hydrostatics - radon plays a leading role.
Changes in hemodynamics and the state of the vegetative and central nervous system, as well as the sympathetic-adrenal system, play an important role in increasing the reserves of coronary circulation, reducing and alleviating angina attacks in stroke patients.
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