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| ●Health and Hot Springs Sharing Healthcare and Hot Spring Bath Author: Lin Feng-lian( Senior Nurse, National Taiwan University Hospital ) The below content is original from a hot-spring series speech. Hot Springs: the Treasure from Underground Hot spring is the symbolic representation of geothermal energy in Taiwan. It is formed with the underground rain or snow water heating by the lava in the earth’s center. According to the location, hot springs can be generally categorized into three kinds. 1. Hot Springs on Mountains Hot springs on Mountains may strengthen heat blood vessels, respiratory system, and blood circulation. It may improve deficient diseases too. However, it is not so suitable for elders. 2. Hot Springs by the Ocean Hot springs by the ocean and lakes may release the senses of tense. It’s the best place for elders, hypertensions, and the people with inferior respiratory system. However, it may not be suitable for the people suffering from aches because of heavy moisture. 3. Hot Springs in Forests Forest bath is very good for relaxing, and the phytoncide and the fragrance of plants is helpful to refresh spirit energy. Hot springs in forest may fit everyone without any limitation of age. Healing Effects of Hot Springs Hot spring balneotherapy may ease the tension of muscle system and heal irritations, and it is also healthy for both body and mind because of the natural environment and interaction in bath. However, it is very important to care about the temperature of hot spring water. It should be lower than 42℃ for elders. And some people might have skin conditions like itchiness and rash when the water is too hot. At the beginning of taking a hot spring balneotherapy, some patients might feel tired or uncomfortable. However, these conditions would get better if patients keep on taking the healing as usual. To follow below suggestions for those patients who take a hot spring balnetherapy. ●Hypertensive: Take a hot spring bath once or twice everyday. The temperature should be under 40℃, and the bath time should be limited in 10 min. If the temperature is under 38℃, the bath time could be extended to 20 min. Remember to keep the dressing room warm. Take a walk for 30 min and more every morning, and take the food with low calories and less salty. ●Diabetic: Take a hot spring bath with 39~40℃ water twice or three times everyday. To exercise in 37~38℃ hot spring water for 30 min after lunch. Take a walk everyday and slowly increase instance to 10,000 steps up to the physical situation. ●Patients suffering from the aches in joint, waist, or shoulder: Take a hot spring bath with 38~40℃ water for 10-20 min twice or three times everyday. Forest Bath is strongly recommended for better healing effects. 
Homeland of Hot Springs：Datun Volcano Group(大屯山系) in BeitauDatun Volcano Group is the area with the maximum density of hot springs in Taiwan. With the rich and various hot spring sources, Beitau is only one licensed hot spring water supply system in Taiwan, which may pipe fresh spring water to the hotels and customers pay the cost. The hot springs in Beitau can be generally categorized into three kinds: White Sulfur Springs, Blue Sulfur Springs, and Iron Sulfur Springs. White Sulfur Springs distribute over Dahungzui (Big Sulfur Mouth大磺嘴), and the water is acidic and white with 45℃ temperature. Blue Sulfur Springs distribute over Hell Valley(地熱谷), and water is dark green, translucent and undrinkable. Iron Sulfur Springs distribute around Shuangchong Valley(雙重溪谷), and the water is reddish with iron ingredients. According to medical researches, the H2S ingredient of Sulfur Springs is helpful to purge phlegm and effective to chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis. It is why Sulfur Springs are called ‘the springs of phlegm’. However, to avoid the danger being exposed to the high density of H2S, it very important to open the widows and use exhausts when people soak themselves in a Sulfur Spring bathhouse. Curative Effects of Hot Springs on COPD in Beitau：A Case Study Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is the 10th major cause of death in Taiwan. According to a medical research, the hot springs in Beitau have curative effects on COPD when the patients take a long term balneotherapy. In this medical experiment, the patients with mild or moderate COPD took a hot spring bath in Baitau for 30 min twice a week. The patients were asked to walk in a hot spring pool too. The temperature of water ranged between 38℃ and 42℃. The balneotherapy lasted for 6 weeks. The result of the experiment showed that these patients have improvement in the function of lung, and the air of expire was gradually increasing. Besides, taking a balneotherapy upgraded the quality of life of these patents in many aspects. |
