“Speleotherapy”(Salt Cave Therapy) as a Complementary Treatment for Asthma
Speleotherapy (Greek: cave treatment) and Halotherapy (salt treatment) is a mode of treatment in a controlled air medium which is set to recreate the conditions of Siberian salt mines and subterranean environments . This form of therapy is popular in parts of Russia and Eastern European countries. It was inspired by the 19th century findings that Polish salt miners had fewer respiratory problems than other people. These findings are not completely understood but may have come from air quality, underground climate, absence of normal biotic conditions (e.g. light), air pressure or radiation and the fact that the salt miners were living in a dry environment for a long period of time.
Recently, commercial businesses have set up salt cave therapy units and advertise the therapy as an alternative or complementary therapy in the treatment of asthma.
The lung disease in asthma is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial wall muscle contraction and excessive mucous secretion. While inhalation of salt solutions can improve airway mucous clearance, it is possible that it may eventually cause broncho-constriction (narrowing of the airways) in sensitive individuals with tragic results. More trials with long term follow up are necessary.
Although some patients may experience some benefits from salt therapy, there exists a great deal of scepticism at the moment among respiratory specialists as to the effectiveness of this treatment in chronic asthma. This is primarily due to the fact that there is insufficient scientific and clinical evidence to assess reliably whether Speleotherapy (or some forms of it) is beneficial for asthma patients. Also there is no evidence regarding the optimum duration and regularity of this form of treatment.
The Asthma Society of Ireland expresses concerns regarding this treatment with patients who have severe, or persistent asthma, reactive airway disease, or indeed any respiratory condition, unless under medical supervision and whilst continuing current prescribed medications.
