“Altitude treatment” as allergenic convalescence – the first high-altitude asthma camp in Austria

“Breath is life” – true to this motto, the tourist region off Obergurgl-Hochgurgl – with its healing, high-alpine bracing climate – provides the best possible holiday environment even for those with serious allergies. The area offers a largely allergy-reducing, pollen-free convalescence in the mountains. Sufferers of hay fever and athmatics can find pure mountain air – what you have perhaps been missing throughout the whole year – wonderful air to breath, with positive, sustainable effects long after the holiday itself. A varied programme of asthma behaviour training provides children and teenagers with more information on their allergies and the parents with help on how to cope with their ailing children.

Mountain air and spa goodness

According to the Trend-Amag Study from 2000, the secret of recreational value of a mountain holiday lies in the mobilisation and economisation of strength through the human metabolism. This registers the lower partal pressure of oxygen (mild hypoxy) in altitudes between 1,800 and 2,5000 metres and cranks up his activities. There then follows a cutback in this increase rate of activity and then an ecnomisation. Prof. Humpeler compares this action with an engine: “First off, it needs the revs to reach full performance, but then at the end of a stay at altitude, it runs quieter, with fewer revs but still performs at the same or even at a better level.” The body already starts to respond at altitudes of 1,800 to 2,500 metres, although it would have had sufficient oxygen. Young, red blood corpuscles start to form, increasing in number. The blood maintains its normal consistence, however oxygen is transported to the cells significantly better.

This ‘fountain of youth’ effect is purely a consequence of altitude. Altitude mobilises bodily reserves and alone the effect staying at altitude is the equivalent of a good training session. The mobilisation of bodily activities is an additional bonus which compounds the physiological recreational value. A holiday of at least three weeks is advised to utilise these beneficial effects on your health. What’s more, the whole experience of staying in the mountains and moving in the flora and fauns of the mountain world. Humpeler: “The holiday contains three important elements – relaxation, fitness/use of spa facilities and the experience. These are all contained in mountain and hiking holidays.” (a study from Prof. Egon Humpeler Ph. D., Bregenz, and Dr. Wolfgang Schobersberger)