[Climate therapy, rehabilitation and psychotherapy in bronchial asthma]

The authors explain the principle of effectiveness as regards treatment of bronchial asthma (AB) in the climate of the Tatra mountains. The most important place is held by elimination of noxious substances from the patient's environment which is comparable with the eliminations test. The second place is held by factors of a medium stimulating climate which calls for adaptation of the organism. This happens during the three-week acclimatization stage which acts as non-specific therapy. The result of climatotherapy is an increased immunological resistance, hardening, reduced bronchial hyperreactivity and improved life of asthmatic patients. Supplementary treatment comprises respiratory rehabilitation and psychotherapy. The aim of rehabilitation is active participation of the patient in treatment, adequate type of respiration and better tolerance of physical strain. The purpose of psychotherapy is to help the patient to overcome fear of AB, induce a change of lifestyle and regime. After comprehensive institutional treatment the patients are prepared for self-supporting ambulatory treatment. Under institutional conditions antiasthmatic treatment can be discontinued in as many as 24% of asthmatic patients and reduce substantially the administration of inhalatory beta-adrenergic substances, as demonstrated by the authors on 1725 asthmatic patients.