Galerie
Water Classification Based on Salt Composition
Sulfur waters: they contain sulfur in various combinations. They administered by drinking cure, balneotherapy, mud, inhalations, vaginal irrigations. They mainly treat otorhinolaryngological and dermatological diseases. The leading Italian spas with sulfurous waters are Terme di Saturnia, Terme di Sirmione, Terme di Montepulciano.
Sodium water or sodium chloride: mainly contain sodium chloride. In some, sodium sulfate and sodium bicarbonate, calcium and magnesium found. Are mainly administered by drink and indicated for the treatment of gastrointestinal and respiratory tract diseases. The spas with saltwater are for example Barano d'Ischia, Casamicciola, Forio d'Ischia, Ischia Porto, Lacco Ameno, Montecatini Terme.
Sulfate waters: these are waters rich in sulfur. They are administered primarily by drink, but also by mud and rectal irrigation, indicated for the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal, respiratory and renal systems. They are found, e.g., in the thermal centers of Barano d'Ischia, Bormio, Casamicciola, Casciana Terme, Chianciano Terme, Forio d'Ischia, Lacco Ameno, Montecatini Terme.
Bicarbonate waters: they originate from calcareous rocks and contain mainly bicarbonates. The majority are bicarbonate - calcic and usually used for hydrophilic therapy; the most concentrated also for balneotherapy, nasal showers, vaginal and rectal irrigations. They are used to fight diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, problems with diuresis, liver function. The centers with bicarbonate waters are for example Bormio, Casamicciola, Casciana Terme, Terme di Chianciano, Montecatini Terme, Terme di Montepulciano.
Radioactive waters: they contain a small amount of radon and can treat diseases of the nervous and osteoarticular system. They used for drinks, inhalations, vaginal irrigations, balneotherapy, and mud therapy. The spas based on radioactive waters are Abano Terme, Bormio, Casamicciola, Forio d'Ischia Ischia Porto, Lacco Ameno, Merano Thermal Baths, Montegrotto Terme, Sant'Angelo d'Ischia, Terme di Sirmione.
Arsenical-ferruginous waters: they present iron in great abundance and arsenic in traces. They administered by drink, balneotherapy, inhalations, irrigations, muds. Indications: iron deficiency anemia, lymphatic diathesis, convalescence, skin diseases, neuritis, thyroid disease. The centers with arsenical-ferruginous waters: Levico, Pré-Saint-Didier.
Salso-bromo-iodic and salso-iodic waters: they are strongly mineralized of marine origin. They contain sodium chloride and other minerals in different concentrations. They administered by balneotherapy, mud, inhalations, and irrigations. Excellent for treating respiratory, vascular, gynecological, otorhinolaryngological problems of the osteoarticular system. Enhance the immune system, the spas with these types of waters: Abano Terme, Montegrotto Terme, Ischia Porto, Sant'Angelo d'Ischia, Terme di Sirmione, Terme di Montepulciano, Salsomaggiore Terme.
As for thermal muds in Italy, they are the result of local clay maturation in special tanks with bromidic iodine saltwater. During this process, which lasts about 90 days, the chemical composition of the clay is modified, and many algae and micro-organisms developed which are responsible for the production of glycolipids with an anti-inflammatory and fungicide action, reinforced by the high temperature of the mud. Mud therapy is an unequaled natural treatment to bring benefits to the muscular apparatus (extra-articular rheumatism) and osteoarticular (osteoarthritis and other degenerative forms). The main centers that use thermal mud are Abano Terme, Montegrotto Terme, Terme di Sirmione, Terme di Ischia, Terme di Montecatini.
