'A Stronger Breath Project' implemented in Çankırı gave hope to COPD and asthma patients. COPD and asthma patients from all over Turkey regained their health in the salt cave, which was left by the Hittites and located 150 meters below the ground. Tests showed that there was a serious decrease in the disease rates of the patients.
In Çankırı, the 'A Stronger Breath Project', realized in cooperation with the Çankırı Governorship and various institutions, gave hope to COPD and asthma patients. Different social, cultural and health activities were organized for COPD and asthma patients in the salt cave, which dates back to the Hittite period and is called the “Underground Salt City”. In the cave 150 meters underground, patients were exposed to the air in the salt environment for 6 hours a day for 15 days. An evaluation meeting was organized after the completed project. At the meeting, it was stated that 12 COPD and 2 asthma patients who participated in the therapies in the salt cave improved by around 50 percent within 15 days.
Stating that there was a great decrease in the disease rates of the patients, Dr. Faculty Member Barış Değer, Member of the Board of Directors of the Green Crescent, said: “In the first group of patients, we applied an indicator chart called the dyspnea scale, which measures the degree of shortness of breath of the patients, to 12 COPD and 2 asthma patients before taking them to the treatment session. In this chart, our average score before starting the session was 3.2, while it dropped to 1.7 at the end of the 15th day. Our patients breathed almost twice as easily. In the COPD patients' evaluation scale, it was a test that evaluated the patient's cough, sputum, whether they could sleep comfortably or not, and whether they had shortness of breath while climbing the stairs or not. In this test, the average score was 22 when the patients first arrived, but dropped to 13 after 15 days. This means that our COPD patients are breathing better. We also wanted to measure both the physical and mental quality of life of the patients. We found a significant increase in both dimensions in the last 15 days. Patients were given a 6-minute walk test. It went from 347 meters to 402 meters. Finally, the Bode scale was applied. The Bode index rating dropped from 4.4 to 2.5,” he said.
“Halotherapy sessions were applied in salt rooms”
Stating that the treatment of the patients resulted positively, Dr. Tuba Öztürk Haliloğlu said, “The treatment has two pillars. Patients were first treated in the cave for 6 hours a day. Then halotherapy sessions were applied in salt rooms. At the end of 15 days, we have seen that we have significantly reduced shortness of breath in patients, increased effort capacity, walking more comfortably, climbing stairs and removing mucus comfortably.”
“We also provide support for their quality of life”
Stating that the project also helps to increase the quality of life of the patients within the framework of the project, Green Crescent Society Çankırı Branch President İsmail Özcan said, “Our aim is that the patients who are being treated here can actively spend time in the cave. There, we effectively support the quality of life of patients by conducting various activities such as salt workshops, marbling arts, drama activities both socially and culturally.”
'Treatment of the second group will begin'
Stating that patients from about 22 provinces came to Çankırı for treatment, Chief Physician Erhan Buru said, “We have started a project that we think will be very beneficial especially for Çankırı and our country. Until today, patients from about 22 provinces came to Çankırı for treatment. Our second group has also started to arrive. Their treatment will also start in a very near date.”
İHA Haber Kodu: 20241031AW319905