Health Effects of Dead Sea Climatotherapy on Patients with Heart and Lung Diseases

The Dead Sea (Sea of Salt in Hebrew), the lowest saline lake on earth, contains high concentrations of salts and is a reservoir of minerals with a unique evaporation regime. The magnesium salts and the sulfur-containing mud in addition to the unique ultra- violet (UV) radiation reaching this area are the main factors used for treating skin disorders and arthritis, as well as respiratory diseases. High and stable temperatures are the main characteristic of this dry region, located at 420 meters below sea level, beneficiating also from high barometric pressure (800 mm Hg), and therefore from a higher oxygen partial pressure. Material and Methods: The influence of a sojourn in these exceptional climatic conditions was studied on patients suffering from heart and from lung diseases. Stress test and cardiac ultra-sound imaging, as well as lung function tests were obtained before and after a sojourn at the Dead Sea area. Results and Conclusion: In their conclusions, the authors emphasized the positive changes in the condition of the patients, as well as the safety and the possible beneficial effects of such a stay. Even if natural climatotherapy at the Dead Sea for skin and joint diseases has been proven both highly effective and almost without side effects, more studies are nece- ssary for defining and delimiting optimal protocols to be followed by patients suffering from heart and lung diseases.