On the effect of serial applications of CO2-bathes on the blood pressure.

Journal/Book: Proc. of the Kagoshima Intern. Conf. on Volcanoes. Kagoshima 1988 pp. 906-909. 1988;

Abstract: Institut für Arbeitsphysiologie und Rehabilitationsforschung der Universität Marburg and Institut für kurmedizinische Forschung Bad Wildungen Langemarckstrasse 2 3590 Bad Wildungen (F.R.G.) Natural mineral springs in countries with cooled down volcanoes often contain carbon dioxide in concentrations up to 7.500 mg/l. With a minimum concentration of 1.000 mg C02 per liter they are used for balneo-therapeutical purpuses especially in patients suffering from cardio-vascular diseases. One of the main indications of C02-bathing cures is the arterial hypertension. In Germany usually a total of 12 thermoindifferent C02-bathes of 10-20 min duration each are applicated in the course of a 4-week spa treatment. During the bath C02 diffuses into the skin an causes an increase of the skin blood flow (WITZLEB 1962; HILDEBRANDT 1985b). In a recent study ERDL u. SCHNITZER (1986) could show that C02 applications also intensifie the vasomotion of the cutaneous vessels. In consequence of the reduction of the peripheral resistance the systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreases (HENTSCHEL 1962). During the resting Period after the bath the blood pressure remains on a lower level according to changes in the hormonal regulation however the effect of a single C02-bath lasts no longer than 2-3 hours (HILDEBRANDT 1985b). According to HILDEBRANDT (1982 1986a) the effects of serial applications of C02-bathes are not identical with those of a single application Fig.1 shows the mean changes of the systolic blood pressure of a total of 100 patients in the course of a 4-week treatment with C02-bathes in correlation with the initial values of these patients. It can be seen that the blood pressure is only decreased in patients with high initial values whereas patients with low blood pressure at the beginning of the cure showed increassing tendencies. . . . .

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