Medical Hydrology and Balneology: Environmental Aspects

What’s new in Balneology?
Karagülle MZ (1)
(1) Istanbul University. Istanbul Faculty of Medicine. Department of Medical Ecology and
Hydroclimatology, Istanbul, Turkey
mzkaragulle@tnn.net
The new developments and events in Balneology and Medical Hydrology and
Climatology since the 37th ISMH Congress we held in Paris in 2010 may be summarized
as follows;
1. Growing number of published studies (in humans and experimental animals)
on the mechanisms of action of balneological agents and interventions; in
recent years, there is an increase in the number of published articles of the studies
carried out by various disciplines and centers evaluating the mechanisms of action
of balneological agents and treatments. Most of these publications are conducted in
cell cultures and experimental animals and shed more light on the specific biological
effects of various balneological agents (in particular hydrogen sulfide and
carbon dioxide).
2. Recognition of Medical Balneology as a medical specialty in Europe:
Medical Balneology and Hydro-climatology is either a main or a subspecialty in
many European countries. However, it was not represented within the European
Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) since very recently. At the Board Meeting of
UEMS Section of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine held in Istanbul in 5 March
2011, UEMS Balneology Permanent Working Group was established in accordance
with the decision approved by the board. This group held its first meeting later in
September 9th 2011 in Belgrade and has planned a series of activities including to
conduct a survey on current status of balneology in European countries, to set-up an
Evidence Based Database in balneology to promote scientific balneology in Europe
to organize balneological courses in the European countries in frame of UEMS
and ISMH to plan balneological studies in Europe and to prepare educational
standards and specialist training curricula in Balneology
3. Increasing international participation at the national balneology congresses
and strengthening of the ties between balneological associations of
various countries: In general balneology congresses that are being held at the
national level by local balneological associations now having international participants
and contributors with more comprehensive programs. Especially balneological
associations in Hungary, Poland, France and Turkey were the pioneers of this
development. In addition, Italy, Austria, Spain, Serbia, Czech and Tunisia hosted
various meetings of balneology which were planned internationally participations
Balnea
2012, núm. 6, 41-42
41
ISBN: 978-84-669-3482-4