BRINE AEROSOL THERAPY IN THE “WIELICZKA” SALT MINE HEALTH RESORT

Aerosol therapy holds a prominent position in treatment of upper and lower respiratory tract diseases. Aerosols are relatively stable systems of solid, liquid or gaseous particles, dispersed and suspended in a gaseous medium. In healthcare, one kind of aerosols is particularly used, namely liquid droplets dispersed in a gaseous medium, usually in air.  Aerosol therapy is an efficient and convenient method for medicine administration into respiratory tract.  Currently it is possible to take some medication and curative mineral waters, such as brine, in the form of an aerosol. Among the main advantages of aerosol therapy there are: direct and non-invasive access to the target organ, using a lower dose of a medicine compared to systemic therapy, quicker onset and less significant effects on the organism. In medicine, the size of the aerosol particles is essential, as it determines the place where the substance gets to and operates.  The smaller the aerosol particles are, the deeper they can get into the respiratory tract.  Three deposition areas for the aerosol in respiratory tract are assumed: aerosol penetrating lung alveoli, the so-called respirable fraction (< 5 µm); aerosol reaching trachea, bronchi and bronchioles (particle size between 5 and 8 µm) and finally, aerosol penetrating the throat and larynx (particles larger than 8 µm) The mineral waters from the X-VII-16 intake in the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine are certified to have medicinal properties.  The waters have 68.9 g/dm 3 mineralisation, pH of 6.94, and temperature of 16.9°C. The efficiency of the intake is 9 m 3 /h. C. They are used for individual inhalations, as well as for producing aerosol in the graduation tower. Moreover, inhalations of salt aerosol present in underground mine workings are also used. Subterraneotherapy – exposure to a set of factors of physical, chemical and biological nature, present in the underground spaces and its effects on the human body – is beneficial in treatment of chronic diseases of the respiratory tract (including bronchial asthma). The post-inhalation procedure, consisting of a set of activities with the goal of clearing the bronchi of excess secretions, which are the reason for recurrent inflammatory conditions of the airways, is an important aspect of aerosol therapy and is especially significant in the therapies using mucolytics and hypertonic brine.  Removing the excess secretions from the airways ensures their patency and prevents breathing problems.