Treatment of respiratory diseases

Pulmological indications are all respiratory diseases, such as chronic bronchitis, sinuses disorders, bronchial asthma and the allergic rhinoconjunctivitis along with different extrinsic allergic diseases, but also the infectious asthma and the pulmonary emphysema.
 
The climate of Höchenschwand is characterized by an extremely low concentration of allergens. In particular, the dust mite is absolutely rare at such a height and the concentration of fungal spores and pollen is by far lower than in the valleys or in the plain. The dust mite needs an atmospheric humidity of 70 to 80 % and ideally a temperature of 25 to 28 °C for proliferation. However, at a height of 1000 metres above sea level the atmospheric humidity remains very low throughout the year. Given the relatively long winter period with its low temperatures, the houses are heated more frequently and for a longer time, so that the environment remains rather dry, what impedes also the proliferation of mould. The dry environment is particularly beneficial for persons suffering from allergies, both in the short-term and in the long-term. A stationary treatment in the mountain climate results often in a long absence of symptoms. Patients affected by bronchitis or asthma benefit not only from the low concentration of allergens but also from the air cleanness and the absence of “foehn” (warm southern winds).
 
The climate at Höchenschwand is characterized by an outstanding concomitance of curative and “bracing” properties. The natural aerosols in the air of the extensive fir woods around Höchenschwand have a positive effect on respiratory disorders because of their content of ethereal oils.
One of the most important requirements in the treatment of allergies consists in the avoidance of exposure to pathogenic allergens, briefly called allergen avoidance. People suffering from allergies ought preferably to stay in the mountain climate during periods when the allergen concentration at home is supposed to be high.

The stay in a beneficial climate is undoubtedly important and conducive to the treatment of respiratory diseases. The health resort has moreover to offer all facilities and services to carry out an appropriate diagnosis and the whole range of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical therapies. The treatment of disease patterns concerning the respiratory system consists primarily of the inhalation therapy, of the physiotherapeutic respiration therapy, of baths and massages as well as of the climatic therapy. The physiotherapeutic respiration therapy aims in particular to teach self-help techniques, which the patient can continue at home.
 
During the inhalation treatment the patient learns to execute the therapy himself and to maintain and clean adequately his inhalation device.
 
Generally the information and training of the patients constitute important activities among the treatments at the health resort concerning the pulmological rehabilitation.
The patients are thoroughly informed on risk factors and on how to avoid them. The teaching includes furthermore the description of the lung anatomy, of physiological aspects of the respiration, of the links between respiratory disorders and environment and information about major diseases, such as bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema as well as about their prevention. Moreover the innumerable interactions between illness and the professional, mental and private situation are pointed out. Thorough information about pharmaceutical therapies is also provided. The adequate handling of aerosol dispensers and of inhalation aids is taught and the necessity of their use is explained. The patient should learn to detect early a deterioration of the respiratory disorders by means of the “peaks, flow, metre control”, so as to be able to take adequate measures in time. The patient can also participate in courses for relaxation techniques, for example autogenic training, and in guided hikes as well as in various sportive activities.
 
All this reveals that the success of a curative treatment depends on many single factors. The different therapeutic measures around the patients have to be coordinated. A well-trained team consisting of physicians, psychologists and therapists is capable of meeting this requirement.
 
Regardless of the other therapeutic treatments, a sustained pharmaceutical therapy should absolutely not be neglected!
All the described potential treatments, which can be executed at the health resort, are eligible to contribute in a decisive way to enhance the active participation of the patient. Concerning the mostly chronic bronchial-pulmonary diseases a committed participation of the patient for years is deemed an essential precondition for the therapeutic success.