Thermal Therapy In Patients with Post-pandemic Stress Syndrome as a S upporting Therapy

Abstract

The viral pandemic causes multidirectional adverse effects and the greatest of which is health. The viral infection itself and severe infectious disease with pulmonary complications are of government concern. However, less is said about the effects of pandemic restrictions, e.g., social isolation leading to a series of severe psychosomatic disorders. In social isolation and quarantine, the classic negative lifestyle factors are working – the lack of exercise, excessive eating, stress, and addiction intensity. In turn, these factors lead to the exacerbation of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, heart disease, and others. Stress plays a unique role as it causes a number of stress syndromes, including the most severe form – post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Stress is destructive to the entire body. It causes changes mainly in the autonomic nervous system and the endocrine system. In a stressful situation, the sympathetic nervous system’s activity increases, which leads to disorders in the functioning of many organs. Together with the autonomic nervous system’s stimulation, the secretion of stress hormones such as adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol increases. Increased adrenaline secretion leads to arrhythmias, hypertension, and metabolic changes. Excessive secretion of cortisol increases protein catabolism, glucagon secretion, increases gluconeogenesis, lipolysis, and, consequently, increases blood glucose and cholesterol levels. Post-pandemic stress syndromes should be treated. Classic psychotherapy proposes the most important methods of treating these syndromes. The thermal therapy is the most useful and of pathogenetic significance. Thermal therapy includes heat therapy, hydrotherapy, peloid therapy, massages, music therapy, and physical training. These procedures, included in the appropriate treatment program, positively affect the autonomic nervous system, reduce the secretion of stress hormones, and reduce the level of stress. Thanks to thermal therapy, patients regain their mental balance, eradicate anxiety, improve physical condition, and increase resistance to infections. Moreover, they acquire knowledge about the proper lifestyle and methods to deal with stress.