Carbonic acid bath

Procedure belonging to balneotherapy: Carbonic acid baths (CO2), on the other hand, contain at least 1,000 mg/l of free dissolved carbon dioxide. An artificial production by sodium hydrogen carbonate and aluminum sulfate is possible.

Initially in natural springs in spas occurring baths with > 1 g CO2 / liter. In the meantime, carbonic acid baths are produced by introducing CO2 from pressurized gas cylinders into water or by chemical reaction of carbonate and acid. CO2 is actually a non-toxic gas, heavier than air. Nevertheless, if the concentration of CO2 is too high and there is a lack of oxygen, it can cause clouding of consciousness and death.

CO2 is absorbed from water through the skin, where it causes vasodilation and increase in erythrocyte flow velocity. In addition to heating of the periphery with clinically visible reddening, there is a drop in core body temperature and lowering of blood pressure, slowing of the pulse rate with an increase in cardiac output - the load on the heart must be taken into account here! In addition, there is an increase in venous return to the heart. Increased diuresis is observed after the carbonic acid bath.

CO2 is absorbed from the water through the skin, where it causes vasodilation and an increase in the flow velocity of erythrocytes. In addition to heating of the periphery with clinically visible redness, there is a drop in core body temperature and lowering of blood pressure, slowing of the pulse rate with an increase in cardiac output - the load on the heart must be taken into account here!

At about 600 mg/l, changes in blood flow are detectable at 34 degrees Celsius with laser Doppler flow measurement, increasing approximately linearly up to about 1,400 mg/l. This results in hyperemia at bathing temperatures that are not too high. The oxygen supply increases without increasing the oxygen demand of the tissue.

In addition, there is an increase in venous return to the heart. Increased diuresis is observed after the carbonic acid bath.

- Functional arterial circulatory disorders

- Microcirculatory disorders and wound healing disorders in hypoxic tissue, such as ulcus cruris, decubitus and gangrene in pAVK; M. Sudeck-
Neurovegetatively and psychosomatically caused cardiovascular disorders-
Chronic venous insufficiency-
Supportive treatment in inflammatory and non-inflammatory rheumatic diseases in subacute and chronic stages, rheumatoid arthritis

It is important to ensure good ventilation and to position the head above the water's edge to avoid inhalation of CO2 gas. Warning signs are: tachycardia, headache, ringing in the ears, dizziness, clouding of consciousness!

For O2 and CO2 baths, depending on the indication, the following bath temperatures should be selected
:- 28 to 30 degrees Celsius for venous diseases-
30 to 35 degrees Celsius for cardiac diseases-
36 to 38 degrees Celsius for rheumatic diseasesThe
bath duration is 20 to 30 minutes.

Heart failure, respiratory insufficiency, acute infections, allergy to any of the ingredients, acute myocardial infarction, endocarditis, post venous thrombosis, gangrene, hypertension with end organ damage, weeping eczema, skin lesions, depression, epilepsy, infants and young children.

respiratory insufficiency (COPD - J44.99)

1. Brenke R (2012) Carbonic acid baths- an overview. ZKM 4:18-23
2. Uehleke B et al. (2012) In: André-Michael Beer, Martin Adler [eds] Leitfaden Naturheilverfahren für die ärztliche Praxis, Urban und Fischer Verlag p. 57.