Short-term effects of hot spring therapy on asthma
- VernacularTitle:Астмын халуун рашаан эмчилгээний богино хугацааны үр дүн
- Author:
Densenbal D
1
,
2
;
Ichinnorov D
1
,
2
;
Ankhbold G
3
;
Amarsanaa O
4
;
Battsengel Ts
5
;
Zesemdorj O
1
;
Janchivdorj Z
1
;
Ankhil L
1
;
Tseepil E
6
;
Tumen-Ulzii G
1
,
2
;
Еkaterina Faermark
1
;
Odonchimeg B
5
;
Solongo B
1
,
2
Author Information
1. Department of Pulmonology and Allergology, School of Medicine, MNUMS
2. Mongol-Japan Hospital, MNUMS
3. Psychiatric National Health Center
4. Shargaljuut Hot spring Resort
5. Center of Pulmonary and Allergy, First State Hospital
6. Department of Respiratory diseases, Second State Hospital
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Asthma control;
Eosinophilia;
Thermal water
- From:
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences
2025;86(2):19-23
- CountryMongolia
- Language:Mongolian
-
Abstract:
Background:Asthma management should be individualized, evidence-based, aimed at controlling clinical symptoms,
preventing severe exacerbations, and improving quality of life. Studies have shown that inhalation therapy with iodine-
bromide saltwater improves lung function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), while radon-containing
mineral water inhalation reduces inflammation and oxidative stress in asthma. Several studies have analyzed the
composition of the Shargaljuut hot spring, with Oyuntsesteg et al. identifying high levels of Na+-HCO3
- and Na+-SO4.
Other studies on mineral water therapies have reported benefits such as thinning bronchial secretions, improving sputum
clearance, reducing inflammation and acidity, mitigating oxidative stress, and enhancing quality of life.
Aim:To study the effectiveness of combined asthma treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and hot spring inhalation.
Materials and Methods:The study included 67 participants diagnosed with asthma who consented to participate and
underwent 10 days of combined inhaled corticosteroid therapy and mineral water inhalation at Shargaljuut sanatorium. A
total of 57 participants completed the pre- and post-treatment assessments. Treatment result was assessed using Asthma
control questionnaire 7, asthma symptom control with Asthma Control Test (ACT), and exercise tolerance by a 6-minute
walk test. Chest X-rays were taken for all participants to rule out pneumonia, cancer, or pulmonary fibrosis. Treatment
outcomes were evaluated using ACT scores, peripheral blood eosinophil count, total IgE levels in serum, spirometry indices
(FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC), and the 6-minute walk distance.
Results:The average age of participants was 52±12 years, with a predominance of females. The mean asthma control
score was 14.2±4.80, indicating poor asthma control. After 10 days of inhaling corticosteroids combined with hot spring
inhalation post-treatment quality of life increased by 0.5 points, FEV1 improved by 7.5%, FVC by 4.2%, peripheral
blood eosinophil count decreased by 0.3%, and total Ig E levels dropped from 73.3 (22.5; 216) to 73.2 (21.3; 223) u/ml
(p=0.000).
Conclusion:In cases of uncontrolled asthma remission, combining of inhaled corticosteroid therapy with hot spring
inhalation at Shargaljuut improved asthma symptoms, quality of life, enhanced lung function, and reduced inflammatory
markers (p<0.001).
- Full text:202505271242082063319-23.pdf
