Swimming in the sea benefits and harms. Is the sea so useful? Truths and myths about sea water

Hello my dear readers! Are you already “sitting on your suitcases” waiting for a trip to the sea or are you just going to a travel company to get a coveted ticket to the sunny coast? Be that as it may, every year we try to take our family to the warm south, closer to salt water. And why? “Because it is very useful for us and our children!” you say. And you will be right.

And what exactly is the use of sea water for humans? I will try to search in different sources and summarize the information found in this article so that when talking about the maritime topic, you can “insert your five cents”.

Lesson plan:

What is in sea water?

The water of the seas and oceans is just a storehouse of usefulness for the body, almost all the elements of the great periodic table got there in some unknown way. The first thing that comes to everyone's mind, of course, is the presence of iodine. In addition to it, there is calcium, and sodium, and magnesium, as well as bromine, sulfur and potassium, as well as zinc, copper and iron. Sea water exchanges nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide with air.

The salinity of the waters of the World Ocean is already almost 35%, the most saline are the Red Sea and the east of the Mediterranean, and even more in the lake called the Dead Sea, where the water keeps a person on its surface like a feather, due to its increased density. It is believed that the more salt in the water, the more useful it is, but both an adult and a child's body are favorably affected by any sea water to one degree or another.

Why do you need to go to the sea?

Sea bathing can be advised by a doctor of more than one specialization, since the sea helps to improve the condition of various systems of our body.

To whom is the sea contraindicated?

I have studied all the usefulness of spending holidays on the sea coast. But are there any contraindications for the trip, and can such a healing climate be harmful and banned? Doctors say: "Maybe!"

• Sea water and air can exacerbate chronic diseases. People suffering from cardiac and vascular pathologies should be especially careful when traveling to the sea.
• The presence of allergic reactions to iodine and some skin diseases can also cause refusal to bathe in sea water containing a large amount of salts, which can not only heal, but also corrode the affected areas.
• Carefully taking sea baths is also necessary for people suffering from inflammation of the kidneys. With the seeming warm temperature of the water, you can easily chill them.
• You can not dive for those who have a violation of the auditory tube, and those who have injuries of the eardrum should use cotton swabs in the ear before swimming.

Rules for the use of the sea

All thalassotherapy procedures - that's what the sea treatment began to be called - are useful when correctly and in moderation. In order for swimming in the sea to bring only pleasure and bring only positive emotions, we recommend:

• in order to avoid a sharp temperature drop between the heated air and water, spend ten minutes in the shade;
• do not harm your food system by swimming immediately after eating, at the same time long swims with an empty stomach are harmful - you can get tachycardia;
• if sea water is contraindicated for you, do not refuse dousing, you can also just wander through the waves, having received a boost of energy;
• you should not sit in the water until the goose bumps of the "suzyule color", you do not want to go home with inflammation and fever.

Friends, have you heard that there are pools with sea water? In the case when there is no way to get out to the sea, such a pool would come in handy) Watch the video!

That, probably, is all that I wanted to tell you about the sea.

But do not forget that where the sea is, there is the sun. And where the sun is, it is possible for us, parents, to know what to do with it. And despite all the benefits of sea water, be sure to take it with you.

Share your thoughts in the comments. And those who already have one foot on the seashore, swim for us once or twice!

Have a nice holiday!

Always yours, Evgenia Klimkovich.

Our expert - general practitioner Irina Vechnaya.

For the nose and joints

Let's figure out what diseases can be cured with the help of sea bathing.

Runny nose, sinusitis, chronic rhinitis. Rinsing the nose with salt water instantly makes breathing easier. Sea water, getting on the nasal mucosa, evaporates, taking with it excess moisture, and thereby relieves swelling. Approximately the same effect can be achieved with nasal drops, only in the case of drops, mucosal edema is reduced due to vasoconstriction. But unlike drops, sea water acts softer and is not addictive.

Bronchopulmonary diseases. Calcium, sulfur and other minerals dissolved in sea water give it anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Just keep in mind, for those who want to improve the health of the respiratory system, it is better to choose resorts with dry air - the Mediterranean Sea, Crimea.

Relieves stress. This is facilitated by compounds of iodine and bromine, which are saturated with sea water. In addition, there is a lot of magnesium in sea water, which is necessary for the smooth functioning of the nervous system. Sunbathing only enhances the anti-stress effect of sea water. After all, seasonal mood disorders often arise from a lack of vitamin D, which is produced in the body under the influence of sunlight.

Excess weight. Sea water activates metabolic processes, stimulates blood circulation and removes excess fluid. In order for the weight loss effect to be most significant, it is better to bathe in cool water.

Cardiovascular diseases. Any bathing trains the vessels and the heart muscle due to the temperature difference. But sea water, unlike fresh water, contains potassium - the main element for the health of the cardiovascular system.

Diseases of the teeth and gums. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, sea water maintains healthy gums, calcium dissolved in it strengthens tooth enamel, and salt particles reduce plaque deposits.

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Sea water eliminates inflammation and swelling of the joints, improves blood circulation in the joint and strengthens the bones.

Bathing rules

For sea water to be beneficial, you need to follow some simple rules.

Try not to overcool. For the water to work, it is enough to spend 10-15 minutes in it.

Do not run to the shower immediately after bathing. Let the salt and beneficial elements remain on the skin for 15 minutes. But after that, a shower is required. After all, sea water has the ability to remove toxins from the body (usually through the pores of the skin and sweat glands), which must be washed off. In addition, salt water takes away natural moisture from the surface of the skin, and this leads to the appearance of wrinkles and increases the likelihood of sunburn.

Do not use water near the shore for rinsing and washing. It is often contaminated. The purest water is at a depth of 2 meters. So you have to dive for it. If you don't know how, at least swim away from the shore for some distance.

Don't bathe immediately after eating. This can lead to digestive problems.

Where are we going?

Black Sea

Rest is useful for people with diseases of the respiratory system (bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, lung disease).

Sea of ​​Azov

Relieves stress, treats skin diseases, improves lung function, lowers blood pressure. Swimming in windy weather is especially useful - the surf raises healing silt from the bottom of the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov.

Baltic Sea

It is useful for heart patients, hypertensive patients, overweight people and weakened immune systems.

Mediterranean Sea

Improves lung function, fights bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, strengthens the heart and relieves stress.

Red sea

Useful for skin diseases, stress and metabolic disorders.

Dead Sea

It treats eczema and psoriasis, due to the presence of therapeutic mud, it is recommended for people with sore joints.

4 naive questions

Is it possible to bring sea water with you and be treated at home?

Alas, sea water loses most of its useful resources in just a day. So stocking up is not possible. For the same reason, swimming in the sea is healthier than swimming in a pool of sea water.

Is it possible to prepare sea water from improvised means?

Boil a glass of water, then cool to a temperature of 37 degrees, pour in a teaspoon of sea salt, wait until the salt dissolves, add a drop of iodine and strain the solution through cheesecloth. Get water close to sea. However, natural water from the sea is still more useful, because in addition to salt and iodine, it contains other macro- and microelements, as well as beneficial microorganisms.

Which water is healthier - warm or cold?

The optimum water temperature for swimming is 20-24 degrees. Colder water can cause colds or cystitis, and microbes begin to multiply in sea water that is too warm.

Can you drink sea water?

No, the removal of salts and minerals contained in sea water takes more liquid than is contained in salt water. Therefore, the use of sea water inside for more than 5-7 days in a row leads to dehydration.

Many people prefer relaxing by the pool to swimming in the sea. And absolutely in vain, because sea water is a natural and safe medicine for many diseases.

Let's figure out what diseases can be cured with the help of sea bathing.

Runny nose, sinusitis, chronic rhinitis.

Rinsing the nose with salt water instantly makes breathing easier. Sea water, getting on the nasal mucosa, evaporates, taking with it excess moisture, and thereby relieves swelling. Approximately the same effect can be achieved with nasal drops, only in the case of drops, mucosal edema is reduced due to vasoconstriction. But unlike drops, sea water acts softer and is not addictive.

Bronchopulmonary diseases.

Calcium, sulfur and other minerals dissolved in sea water give it anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Just keep in mind, for those who want to improve the health of the respiratory system, it is better to choose resorts with dry air - the Mediterranean Sea, Crimea.

Relieves stress.

This is facilitated by compounds of iodine and bromine, which are saturated with sea water. In addition, there is a lot of magnesium in sea water, which is necessary for the smooth functioning of the nervous system. Sunbathing only enhances the anti-stress effect of sea water. After all, seasonal mood disorders often arise from a lack of vitamin D, which is produced in the body under the influence of sunlight.

Skin diseases.

Eczema, psoriasis, neurodermatitis and acne can also be cured at sea. Salt water slightly dries the skin, eliminates inflammation and accelerates tissue regeneration.

Excess weight.

Sea water activates metabolic processes, stimulates blood circulation and removes excess fluid. In order for the weight loss effect to be most significant, it is better to bathe in cool water.

Cardiovascular diseases.

Any bathing trains the vessels and the heart muscle due to the temperature difference. But sea water, unlike fresh water, contains potassium - the main element for the health of the cardiovascular system.

Diseases of the teeth and gums.

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, sea water maintains healthy gums, calcium dissolved in it strengthens tooth enamel, and salt particles reduce plaque deposits.

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Sea water eliminates inflammation and swelling of the joints, improves blood circulation in the joint and strengthens the bones.

Bathing rules

For sea water to be beneficial, you need to follow some simple rules.

Try not to overcool.

For the water to work, it is enough to spend 10-15 minutes in it.

Do not run to the shower immediately after swimming.

Let the salt and beneficial elements remain on the skin for 15 minutes. But after that, a shower is required. After all, sea water has the ability to remove toxins from the body (usually through the pores of the skin and sweat glands), which must be washed off. In addition, salt water takes away natural moisture from the surface of the skin, and this leads to the appearance of wrinkles and increases the likelihood of sunburn.

Do not use water near the shore for rinsing and washing.

It is often contaminated. The purest water is at a depth of 2 meters. So you have to dive for it. If you don't know how, at least swim away from the shore for some distance.

Do not swim immediately after eating.

This can lead to digestive problems.

Where are we going?

Black Sea

Rest is useful for people with diseases of the respiratory system (bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, lung disease).

Sea of ​​Azov

Relieves stress, treats skin diseases, improves lung function, lowers blood pressure. Swimming in windy weather is especially useful - the surf raises healing silt from the bottom of the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov.

Baltic Sea

It is useful for heart patients, hypertensive patients, overweight people and weakened immune systems.

Mediterranean Sea

Improves lung function, fights bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, strengthens the heart and relieves stress.

Red sea

Useful for skin diseases, stress and metabolic disorders.

Dead Sea

It treats eczema and psoriasis, due to the presence of therapeutic mud, it is recommended for people with sore joints.

4 naive questions

Is it possible to bring sea water with you and be treated at home?

Alas, sea water loses most of its useful resources in just a day. So stocking up is not possible. For the same reason, swimming in the sea is healthier than swimming in a pool of sea water.

Is it possible to prepare sea water from improvised means?

Boil a glass of water, then cool to a temperature of 37 degrees, pour in a teaspoon of sea salt, wait until the salt dissolves, add a drop of iodine and strain the solution through cheesecloth. Get water close to sea. However, natural water from the sea is still more useful, because in addition to salt and iodine, it contains other macro- and microelements, as well as beneficial microorganisms.

Which water is healthier - warm or cold?

The optimum water temperature for swimming is 20-24 degrees. Colder water can cause colds or cystitis, and microbes begin to multiply in too warm sea water.

Can you drink sea water?

No, the removal of salts and minerals contained in sea water takes more liquid than is contained in salt water. Therefore, the use of sea water inside for more than 5-7 days in a row leads to dehydration.

Sea water can be called a saturated brine, consisting of minerals, salts and almost the entire periodic table. Therefore, everyone should know about the benefits of sea water for our body.

Useful properties of sea water

Sea water has healing and cosmetic properties at the same time. It improves immunity and has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, is involved in the prevention and treatment of many diseases. It also increases the level of red cells in the blood, normalizes thermoregulation, etc. While swimming in the sea, excess fat, dead skin cells and surface microbes are washed off. All this is possible due to the composition rich in useful substances, which includes:

• salt;
• mineral salts;
• atmospheric gases.
• potassium;
• magnesium;
• calcium;
• iron;
• chromium;
• chlorine;
• barium;
• gold;
• silver, etc.

The more salts in the water, the more it will bring health benefits, for example, the Dead Sea, the most salty and has long been famous throughout the world for its healing properties.

Sea salt is very useful in cooking, and you can find it crushed and adapted for culinary purposes on the supermarket shelves. This is especially important for people living in a zone of high background radiation, for example, near nuclear power plants.

How is sea water useful for the body?

1. Did you know that sea water is very beneficial for skin, nails and hair as it nourishes and strengthens them? Nails, saturated with potassium, calcium, magnesium and iodine, become stronger, stop, and the nail plate itself becomes whiter.
2. With its healing properties, sea water is good for the skin and is better than using medicines, as it quickly heals wounds, acne and some skin diseases. Therefore, you should not wash yourself with fresh water immediately after swimming in the sea, give a couple more hours to your body to be saturated with useful substances as much as possible.
3. Many doctors recommend visiting the sea every year in the summer, as even the sea air has a very beneficial effect on the respiratory system. Therefore, seaside holidays are especially useful for people suffering from various diseases of the bronchi and lungs, as well as for allergy sufferers and asthmatics. The closer you inhale the air near the sea, the more it is saturated with iodine, therefore, being in the water and on the shore, your body receives the prevention of thyroid diseases.
4. For the cardiovascular system, bathing in sea water is no less useful than hardening. When you warm up in the sun, you enter the cool water, you feel goosebumps and a slight chill appear. At this moment, your vessels constrict, and the blood rushes to the internal organs, and when the body gets used to the temperature of the water, then the vessels dilate and the outflow of blood occurs. Such charging strengthens the walls of blood vessels, normalizes the heart rhythm and is the prevention of heart disease, etc.
5. If rhinitis has broken out, then you can rinse the nasal passage with sea water, and gargling is recommended for sore throats. These procedures will disinfect the mucous membranes and saturate them with useful substances.

Since ancient times, the marine environment has been the most inhabited and convenient for the life of living beings. Salts of sodium, magnesium, potassium and calcium are dissolved in the waters.

During evaporation and during a storm, ions of mineral substances enter the coastal air. Charged particles are carried by the wind over long distances, but they reach concentrations in coastal zones.

Benefits of sea air

Sea air is saturated with ozone in a safe amount for humans, but deadly for bacteria and viruses, so pathogenic microorganisms die on the coast. In addition, there is no dust and smog near the seas.

For bronchitis and bronchial asthma

It is useful to breathe sea air to prevent respiratory diseases and cleanse the lungs. Sea air is useful for bronchitis and bronchial asthma. Metal salts enter the lungs, settle and prevent mucus from accumulating, improving expectoration.

For angina and sinusitis

Ozone disinfects the respiratory organs and destroys pathogenic bacteria, so sea air helps with sinusitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis and sinusitis.

It is impossible to completely get rid of chronic diseases with the help of one course, but with regular visits to the sea coast or when living near the sea, periods of exacerbation occur less frequently and with less severity.

With low hemoglobin

Moderate concentrations of ozone improve blood circulation, increase hemoglobin formation, remove excess carbon dioxide and help the lungs absorb oxygen better. Thanks to ozone and its action, the effect of sea air on the heart and blood is noticeable. When more oxygen enters the body, hemoglobin is reproduced more intensively, and the heart works more powerfully and more rhythmically.

With iodine deficiency

The air near the sea coasts is saturated with iodine, which enters the body when breathing through the lungs, so sea air is useful for thyroid diseases. Iodine has a positive effect on the skin: rejuvenates and eliminates dryness.

For the nervous system

Those who have visited the sea are not without reason returning from the resort in a good mood: the sea air strengthens the nervous system. Among all the ionized particles floating in the coastal atmosphere, there are many magnesium ions. Magnesium enhances inhibition, eliminates excitability and relieves nervous tension. The peculiarity of the mineral is that during stress, worries and anxiety, magnesium is excreted from the body, so it is important to regularly replenish supplies.

Sea air damage

Even the most useful gifts of nature can be spoiled by man. A team from the University of Lund in Sweden conducted a study of the composition of sea air and found that it contains toxins. The culprit was maritime transport, which releases decay products of elements, hazardous particles and spent fuel into the water. The more developed shipping is at sea, the more harmful the sea air is near.

Contraindications

With all the advantages of the marine environment, there are categories of people who are better off staying away from the sea.

Breathing sea air is dangerous when:

• endocrine diseases associated with excess iodine;
• acute forms of cancer;
• dermatoses;
• diabetes mellitus;
• heart problems, as minerals combined with high temperatures and UV radiation can cause stroke, heart attack and arrhythmia.

Sea air for children

Every responsible parent should be aware of the benefits of sea air for children. Rest on the sea coast will strengthen the child's immunity, help him resist viral diseases in the autumn-winter period.

The iodine contained in the sea atmosphere stimulates the thyroid gland and improves the mental abilities of the child, normalizes carbohydrate metabolism. Sea air contains rare elements that are difficult to obtain from food and in urban environments: selenium, silicon, bromine and inert gases. Substances are no less important for the child's body than calcium, sodium, potassium and iodine.

To get a healing effect from the sea, the child must spend 3-4 weeks near the coast. The first 1-2 weeks will be spent on acclimatization and getting used to, and after that recovery will begin. For a short vacation on the sea coast - up to 10 days, the child will not have time to benefit from the sea air and breathe in useful substances.

Sea air during pregnancy

It is useful for women in position to relax on the sea coast and breathe in the air. The exception is pregnant women with a period of up to 12 weeks and after 36 weeks, if a woman suffers from severe toxicosis, with placenta previa and the threat of miscarriage. The rest of the pregnant women can safely go to the resort.

Ionized particles contained in the marine atmosphere will benefit both mother and fetus. Magnesium ions will relieve the increased tone of the uterus and strengthen the nervous system. Ozone will increase the production of hemoglobin, and iodine will improve the functioning of the thyroid gland. Staying in the sun will also help: the body under the influence of UV rays will produce vitamin D, which is useful for the musculoskeletal system of the fetus.

Which resort to choose

The sea and its air can be beneficial and harmful to the body. To eliminate the negative impact of sea air, you need to choose the right resort.

Dead Sea

The cleanest and unique mineral composition of the air on the coast of the Dead Sea. The uniqueness of the Dead Sea is that 21 minerals are dissolved in it, 12 of which cannot be found in other seas. A big plus of the Dead Sea is the absence of industrial enterprises on the coast, so there are few elements harmful to humans in the sea.