Climatic resorts

It is an old observation that the residents of certain geographical locations are rarely ill; what is more, in general they can be characterized by more vitality and happiness. It is easy to find an explanation considering the fact that the natural environment, especially the climate may have a stimulative effect on the human body and the climate may play a significant role in the preservation or the restoration of physical and mental health.

Climate therapy has been known since Ancinet times. It was Hippocrates who first wrote about it explaining that the appearance or the worsening of certain diseases might be linked to certain weather-related phenomena. Avicenna, the famous scientist of the Arab world is said to have sent his tuberculotic patients to the mountains of Crete to recover. (met.hu). It is another well-known fact that before antibiotics were discovered tuberculotic patients had primarily been treated in the sanatoria of climatic resorts. At these places the clean air, the healthy environment, the relaxation and the appropriate food strengthened the patients’ immune systems and made it possible for them to win the battle against their illness.  

It is not by accident either that climatic resorts are gaining a special significance in the modern era as well. This revived interest is due to the recognition that the air in the cities is poisonous, full of allergens, there is not enough sunshine and city dwellers are also exposed to heat exhaustion, factors, all of which can cause severe diseases.

The healing climate of climatic resorts, primarily the fresh air is beneficial for patients who suffer from respiratory problems, allergies, diseases of the thyroid gland and exhaustion. The cleanliness and the therapeutic effect of the air at those places which have been officially acknowledged as climatic resorts, need to be regularly checked from a medical-meteorological point of view. The German Meteorological Service for example regularly publishes its reports on bioclimate and air quality in relation to climatic resorts. It is on the basis of these reports that the medical experts of the climatic resorts determine the exposion of the patients to certain cliamtic factors including temperature, and radiation. (heilklima.de). In Hungary it is the website of the Hungarian Meteorological Service where one can find information on the meteorological effects of the weather.

In relation to climate therapy it is a common expectation that the climate itself should have a healing effect on the illness in question, or, it should at least relieve the symptoms. This is why when applying climate therapy it is to be considered which features of the given climate need to be utilized.  

a) Stimulating factors  (e.g. cold air currents, significant daily fluctuation in temperature, strong wind, intense sunshine, low partial pressure of oxygen) These stimuli provoke adaptation and thus they are able to strengthen the body.  

b) Soothing factors (e.g. well-balanced temperatures, slightly growing radiation, cleanliness of air, low concentraion of allergens) These factors result in strees reduction, ambience, relaxation and regeneration.

On the other hand the notions of stimulating and soothing climates are not absolute notions; factors which appear as stimuli under certain conditions may have soothing effect under different conditions.  

By the classification of the Hungarian Meteorological Service the climate of climatic resorts can be divided into six bioclimate groups as follows (www.met.hu)

a) Seaside climate

Intensely stimulating climate. Its main features from climatic therapeutical point of view include the cleanliness of air, the low number of microorganisms, permanent wind, strong radiation, balanced temperature, relatively high humidity of air and the presence of salt crystals (aerosols) in the air. Seaside climate is beneficial for patients with respiratory problems as well as with diseases of the skin.

For further deatils see: http://www.met.hu/eghajlat/magyarorszag_eghajlata/bioklimatologia/

b) Lakeside climate

This kind of climate is typical in areas in the vicinity of larger fresh water surfaces. In many ways it is similar to the lakeside climate, but the salt content of the air is much lower, and the climate change is less obvious. Local winds, which are so typical of seaside resorts, are less significant in lakeside areas. These winds occur only in the summer months and in appropriate synoptic situations (lack of weather fronts, period of anticyclons). Instead of curing certain diseases lakeside climate is more suitable for the prevention of diseases, recreation and holiday making.

For further details see: http://www.met.hu/eghajlat/magyarorszag_eghajlata/bioklimatologia/

c) High Mountain climate

High mountain climate represents strong stimuli for people. In the temperate climate zone this type of climates is typical of mountainous areas higher than 1,000 m above sea level. At this altitude the effect of air pollution cannot be perceived, pollen concentration is minimal as well. This climate is beneficial for patients with chronic respiratory diseases and it seems to be ideal to relieve symptoms which are caused by urban or industrial dust. Significant improvement can be achieved in the treatment of anaemia, nervous breakdown and Basedow disease. Counter indications include coronary heart diseases and the early stage of pregnancy. Relatively high ultraviolet radiation is effective in treating diseases of the skin, too. From the point of view of landscape aesthetics and sports tourism the nice surroundings in high mountainous regions may improve the patients’ psychical and physical conditions.

For further details see: http://www.met.hu/eghajlat/magyarorszag_eghajlata/bioklimatologia/

In Hungary there is no high mountain climate, but the so-called sub-Alpine climate of places located at 800 m or higher above sea level is very similar. Examples of mountain resorts of this kind in Hungary include Mátraháza, Galyatető and Bükkszentkereszt.

d) Medium-height Mountain Climate

The medium-height mountain bioclimate can be found in the temperate zone at places located between 300 and 1,000 m above seal level.  Its effect on the human body is more moderate than the influence of high mountain climate. Mountains of medium height are usually covered with forests and this condition reduces radiation. Due to this feature temperatures are more balanced, relative humidity is higher. This type has multiple effects because on hillsides the microclimate can be very special. On northern hillsides the climate may be similar to the high mountain bioclimate, while on the southern, sunny hillsides in most cases one can encounter a soothing climate. The weather on those hillsides which are more exposed to winds is cloudy and there is more precipitation, while the windless areas are dry and sunny.  

Since both the stimulating and the soothing factors are present in medium-height mountainous areas, this type of climate is suitable to offer a complementary treatment for most diseases.  It is especially beneficial for patients suffering from anaemia, metabolic disturbances, trachitis, irritability, and neurastenia.  The green forests that cover the mountain slopes in themselves have a soothing and relaxing effect on the nervous system.

For further details see: http://www.met.hu/eghajlat/magyarorszag_eghajlata/bioklimatologia/

e) Plain climate

The characteristic features of the so-called ’plain climate’ in the temperate zone are that the number of sunny hours is high, humidity of the air is low and precipitation is usually low, too. The annual fluctuation in temperature – the difference between mean temperatures in the coldest and the warmest month – is high, as well as the daily fluctuation. Consequently, „Plain climate is a stimulating climate which helps the human body to regenerate. It is also beneficial for treating tuberculotic symptoms, as well as anaemia. It may relieve the symptoms of skeletal tuberculosis. Counter indications include irritability and hyperthyreosis.  (met.hu)”.