Radon
Uzdrowisko Świeradów-Czerniawa Sp. z o. o. - Grupa PGU is the only medical entity in Świeradów-Zdrój with the exclusive licence for extraction and exploitation of medicinal waters from the deposits in Świeradów and Czerniawa. Furthermore, water from our springs is characterised by a radon level compliant with the Polish standard required for performance of therapeutic treatments.
Therapeutic mud, spruce and mineral waters obtained from the Izera Mountains, which are rich in radon, iron, fluorine and magnesium, are the most valuable treasures of Świeradów-Zdrój. As a result of their rejuvenating effect, the health resort gained the name of the Valley of Youth. Radon-active baths are recommended for people with rheumatic diseases, diseases of the locomotor system, as well as respiratory system.
Radon - the treasure of our Health Resort
Radon-active baths are associated with ionising radiation, which very easily penetrates skin, as well as mucous membranes. Furthermore, radon-saturated water is characterised by an intense and fast therapeutic effect.
Radon water is used for inhalations, baths and – of course – for drinking. The alpha radiation emitted by radon penetrates our body to a depth of 50 microns, and causes ionisation in the body as well as a series of excitatory reactions.
Radium should be considered to be the initial source of radiation, which as a result of radioactive transformations turns into radon. It affects the human body in a similar manner to other radioactive substances. However, radon balneotherapy has a certain advantage - it excludes the accumulation of radioactive elements (as opposed to treatment using radium, which accumulates in the body).
Therefore, the natural sources that contain radon do not pose any health risk - on the contrary, they have a positive impact on it. For example, it was found that radon is characterised by a positive effect on cellular metabolism, enzymatic processes, as well as has a relaxing effect on blood vessels and ganglia of sympathetic nerves, strengthens the nervous tissue, subcortical centres and endocrine glands. As a result, it improves blood supply to the tissues, increases conductivity of the nerves and improves efficiency of the glands, as well as muscles.
Furthermore, blood flow also increases under the influence of radon-active baths. As a result, in the case of people suffering from atherosclerosis, their network of capillaries expands. Treatment with the use of such waters affects the growth of red blood cells and haemoglobin in the blood. Moreover, in the case of hypertension, these waters lower the blood pressure. In addition, drinking of these waters increases the secretion of gastric acids, stimulates peristalsis of the digestive tract, increases the amount of urination, as well as lowers sugar level in the serum.
Sometimes, a side effect - although not necessarily unpleasant - of this treatment is an increase in libido. However, due to its strong stimulating and radioactive influence, radon is not recommended for children, people weakened by acute diseases and people with cancer.
We perform everyday measurements of radon levels in water and air, in order to consciously monitor the dose to which our patients will be exposed.
Uzdrowisko Świeradów-Czerniawa Sp. z o. o. holds the exclusive licence no. 31/92 for extraction and exploitation of medicinal waters within the town of Świeradów-Zdrój, which was granted to our Health Resort by the Minister of Environmental Protection, Natural Resources and Forestry, therefore the treatments carried out based on the licensed therapeutic waters, e.g. inhalations, radon baths, therapeutic baths based on mineral waters, as well as access to the mineral water well room, are offered in Świeradów - Zdrój only in the facilities of Uzdrowisko Świeradów - Czerniawa Sp. z o. o. – Grupa PGU.
Uzdrowisko Świeradów Zdrój-Czerniawa Sp. z o. o. is one of twenty radon health resorts in Europe and one of two in Poland. Furthermore, waters from Świeradów springs are characterised by a radon level compliant with the Polish standard required for performance of therapeutic treatments.
Baths
They are recommended for people with rheumatic diseases, as well as diseases of the locomotor and respiratory system. In particular, the physicians recommend these baths for the treatment of peripheral arteriosclerosis and thrombophlebitis. Due to radon, the Świeradów waters are unique, while baths and inhalations with their use are characterised by exceptional efficiency. The Świeradów-Czerniawa Health Resort is one of two health resorts in Poland that offer radon-based treatments on such a big scale. It is also one of twenty radon health resorts in Europe.
Furthermore, radon treatments are also characterised by a positive impact on gynaecological diseases, e.g. they contribute to the regulation or return of ovulatory cycles, and they also alleviate the symptoms of menopause. In the case of men, their potency increases, because radon can even double the level of testosterone in the blood serum. However, the radon treatments are not recommended for children and adolescents.
Radon water
Radon water, which is sometimes also called radon-active water, is a water containing radon, i.e. a radioactive element. Many people have negative associations about the impact of radiation on our health, however its small doses are not only not harmful, but even treat many diseases! Radon water is characterised by an optimal concentration of radioactive factors, therefore it is widely used in health resort treatments.
Effects
Beneficial effects of radiation are activated already during the procedure. Furthermore, they are also maintained for several months, because despite the fact that radon is removed from the body after just a few hours, the products of its decay remain in the tissues for a much longer time. You just need a few minutes of radon bath in order to reduce chronic pain, lower blood pressure or improve blood supply to the internal organs and skin. As a result, this treatment is recommended for athletes, people suffering from psoriasis, acne, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases of the locomotor system, as well as convalescents after peripheral nerve injuries.
Moreover, radon water is also used in the form of inhalation, particularly in the treatment of asthma and other respiratory diseases, as well as orally. Drinking of water rich in radon lowers the sugar level and bad cholesterol level in our blood, as well as provides a diuretic effect and stimulates intestinal peristalsis. Due to the stimulation of bone-forming cells, radon water is also used in the treatment of osteoporosis and rehabilitation of people after injuries and surgeries (among others spine injuries and spine surgeries), because it accelerates bone fusion. Furthermore, its anticoagulant effect is used (as a supportive treatment) in the case of lower leg ulcers or cardiovascular diseases.
Results
Radon water also treats infertility and prolongs life, because it stimulates numerous glands, e.g. pituitary gland or adrenal glands, and activates the secretion of hormones, as well as the functioning of testicles and ovaries. Thus, it is used as a supportive treatment in the case of chronic diseases of reproductive organs, during menopause and in the case of infertility, because it increases the number of sperm, as well as its mobility. Small doses of radiation supplied to the cells via radon water accelerate DNA repair processes, thus reducing the risk of malignant tumours. Moreover, the general immunity of our body as well as life expectancy increase, and tolerance to the subsequent exposure to large doses of radiation, which could result in undesirable effects, also improves.
Radon water is obtained from natural sources and there are only a few of them in Poland. One of the best known is located in Świeradów Health Resort. All treatments with the use of radon water are performed based on a recommendation, which is issued by a health resort physician after preliminary medical examination. These treatments can be carried out as part of private (commercial) stays as well as based on a referral financed by the NFZ (National Health Fund) or ZUS.
International multicenter research on the impact of radon
International multicenter research on the impact of radon confirms its analgesic effect. As part of a model study on the effects of radon (IMuRa-Studie), the efficiency of radon treatments in sanatoriums was examined and the therapeutic impact of radon was proven. Furthermore, reduction in the use of painkillers has also been confirmed.
As part of a clinical study, the efficiency of radon treatments in the context of pain in long-term disorders of the locomotor system was examined in 6 sanatorium centres in Germany and Austria. Furthermore, it also included an analysis of medication consumption, as well as impairment of the functions of affected joints.
In addition, a comparative analysis was conducted in the scope of 665 test subjects with various diseases, such as ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis: half of the test subjects received heat treatment or warm water treatment, while the other half received radon water bath treatment or radon inhalation treatment.
The results prove that the group subjected to radon treatments achieved a significant reduction in pain. It also proved the superiority of radon treatments in the context of durability of its effectiveness.
A significant improvement in the scope of pain throughout the observation period constitutes a clearly measurable result of the described study. Moreover, a significant reduction in the use of painkillers was also found. The assessment also included blood samples, which were collected from study participants at some of the centres. It is expected that further conclusions will be drawn regarding the influence mechanisms of radon treatment, as well as new areas of development.
Due to the fact that this study was conducted as a randomised, controlled and partially “blind” study in independent centres in Austria and Germany, it meets the requirements of class 1b, in compliance with the concepts of evidence-based medicine. As a result, it constitutes a significant step towards the future wide recognition of radon therapy as a physical therapeutic agent within the framework of catalogues of therapeutic agents. Furthermore, the IMuRa study creates a starting point for further comprehensive research on radon therapy, with the common objective of long-term elevation of its value in the eyes of physicians and insurers.