Lake Hévíz

The largest in Europe, the unique thermal lake Heviz, is located 6 kilometers from the western shore of Lake Balaton. The surface of the lake, with an area of ​​47,500 sq. m., is covered with stunningly beautiful scarlet water lilies, specially imported from India. In summer, the water temperature in the resort of Heviz is 36 degrees, in winter it does not fall below 25, so even in the cold season it is pleasant to swim in the open air in a valley with a unique microclimate.

Every second, 420 liters of radon, sulphurous, gas and mineral-rich water is thrown onto the surface of the lake, which is completely renewed within 48 hours. Thermal lake Heviz bathing in the lake A special factor is the therapeutic mud from the bottom of the lake: it has an excellent effect in the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, rheumatic and inflammatory.

The first balneary on the lake was founded in 1795 by Count Festetics. However, the healing power of the waters of the lake has been used since ancient times. According to legend, it was the waters of the lake that cured the future emperor of the Roman Empire Theodosius Flavius ​​from paralysis of his legs. According to the indications, the treatment of rheumatic diseases and the musculoskeletal system, as well as diseases of the spine, gynecological diseases, inflammation of the nerves and muscles, disorders of the venous circulation takes a predominant place.

Indications for treatment:

• chronic limb diseases
• rheumatism osteochondrosis
• inactive form of gout
• nervous exhaustion and disorder of the autonomic nervous system
• functional neuralgic diseases
• gynecological disorders (eg, uterine adhesions, infertility, menstrual disorders)
• post-traumatic and post-operative rehabilitation

Contraindications:

• malignant tumors
• cardiovascular diseases
• hypertension, arteriosclerosis venous thromboses
• leukemia
• asthma
• eczema
• thyroid disease
• diabetes
• pregnancy

MEDICAL PROPERTIES OF LAKE HEVIZ

Natural features of the lake

Lake flow:

• Healing water, beating with radial jets from underground, spreads in a semi-cone-shaped channel of the lake;
• Cooling on the surface and smoothly rotating in the form of a cylinder, the water slowly falls under a fresh stream of warm water;
• A huge amount of water with a size of 127.000 m3 is in constant circular motion in a clockwise direction (in accordance with the laws of geophysics);
• Thus, a constant temperature of the water and a uniform distribution of mineral substances in it are ensured;
• Due to the constant movement, the lifting force of the water is much greater than in the case of an ordinary lake with stagnant water, so it is easier to stay on the surface and swimming requires correspondingly less physical effort;
• The lake itself is a hydropathic resort with a dispersion system containing therapeutic mud: the mechanical action of the mud particles in constant motion causes resistance during friction, an increase in lift and hydrostatic pressure, as a result of which the floating body acquires a vertical position, which favorably affects blood circulation.

Microclimate of the lake:

• The surface of the lake, with an area of ​​4.5 hectares, emits a huge column of water vapor, being a large inhalation;
• The protected forest almost completely protects the lake from the wind;
• The effect of the scorching sun should be taken into account (ultraviolet radiation is also enhanced due to reflection on the surface of the water);

Gas content in healing water:

• The human body absorbs radon and hydrogen sulfide through the lungs more efficiently than through the skin;
• Once upon a time, balneologists taught us that the patient should paddle the water around him in order to intensify the release of radon from the water;
• Gas bubbles, touching the surface of the body, cause a special over-stimulating effect.

Water composition:

• Thermal karst water of the Triassic period containing dolomite, consisting of Ca, Mg, CO3, HCO3, having absorbed all the mineral substances (trace elements), is stored in the Pannonian sedimentary upper rocks of the Neolithic;
• 13,000−year-old thermal karst water and 2800−year-old cold karst water mix at the source of the cave, forming a uniform temperature of 39°C, and this mixture flows into the bog-peat bed of the ice age lake (Riess-Würm interglacial);
• There is an exchange of mineral substances between the peat bog and healing water: the healing silt of the peat bog is enriched with the substances of the healing water, and the healing water, in turn, receives the substances of the peat bog (steroid compounds, terpene hydrocarbons, humic acids), thus forming a unique medical complex in the whole world .

Healing effects of Lake Heviz
Microbiology:
At the bottom of the lake, peat deposits are decomposed with the help of actinomycetes (coryneform bacteria or radiant fungi), and groups of streptomycetes produce a natural antibiotic (microbiologists from the Lorand Eötvös University found the only group of bacteria in Hungary that produces true streptomycin).

Based on the fact, confirmed by 200 years of experience, that there are no coccoid bacteria in the healing water, wounds from it have never become infected, 100 years ago, hundreds of patients stood under jets of water, washing away blood from wounds resulting from the use of cans (more blood was shed here than during the Napoleonic Wars) but there was not a single case of infection.

Main active ingredients:
The main active ingredient is SULFUR: the main element of the cartilage of the joints, in cases of osteoarthritis (wear and tear of the articular tissue) and inflammation of the joints, there are signs of sulfur starvation of the cartilage. The lake contains bacteria of the genus Thiobacillus, which, during metabolism, convert biologically passive sulfate into active sulfide, which is easily absorbed and deposited not only in cartilage tissue, but in the liver, skin, fat, and also becomes an integral part of enzymes. Sulfur from Lake Hévíz has an excellent effect on diabetic itching.

• Ca — Has an anti-inflammatory effect.
• Mg — Has a side effect of pain relief.
• Carbonates: Provide a cosmetic effect; the skin becomes silky-velvety.

Radon — The composition of radon in healing water shows a lunar-solar difference. Harmful effects of radon have never been observed. Solubility in lipids is primarily associated with the pituitary gland, due to the increased release of the hormone ACTH, the patient is treated with his own anti-inflammatory hormones of the adrenal glands without any side effects. According to some reports, radon stimulates the production of calcitonin, and this explains the analgesic effect in patients with osteoporosis.

A course of treatment:
To achieve the result of balneotherapy, it is recommended to take a course of water procedures.

Expedient and ideal use of the properties of the spa can only be prescribed by a doctor who has many years of practice in Hévíz, not only in the field of rheumatology or physiotherapy, but also in balneology, taking into account natural factors.

After all, medicine is not only a science, but also an art. Therefore, in the process of working in Hévíz, we have the opportunity to use medicine not only in scientific terms,