S p a T r e a t m e n t o f t h e P e r i p h e r a l V a s c u l a r S y n d r o m e i n D i a b e t i c P a t i-e n t

Overview

After a brief account on the principles of spa treatment of diabetes, focused on treatment of vascularcomplications, the authors discuss the pathophysiology of the peripheral vascular syndrome. Theobjective of its conservative treatment in spas is improvement of the functional disorder i.e. thereduced vascularization of the extremities influencing regulatory and adaptational mechanisms byapplication of balneological and physiatric methods. The authors evaluate the effectiveness ofremedial exercise, reflex vasodilatation, providing evidence of the effect of Hauffe-Schweningerbaths of the upper extremities, a pulsatile magnetic field and other physiatric procedures applied inthe lumbar region. They discuss also carbon dioxide therapy (water and gaseous baths, subcuta-neous insufflation of the sprudel gas) radon, sulphur and iodine baths). Some supplementaryelectrotherapeutic methods are mentioned.

Key words:
peripheral vascular syndrome, diabetes mellitus, balneotherapy, remedialexercise, Hauffe-Schweninger’s baths of the extremities, reflex vasodilatation, carbon dioxidetherapy, natural mineral water baths, pulsatile magnetic field, electrotherapy.