Urologie pro praxi 1/2021

Czech mineral waters and medicinal springs in terms of prevention and treatment of urinary tract disease

Medicinal as well as table mineral waters have an irreplaceable role in the prevention and treatment of urinary tract disease. Drinking medicinal mineral waters results in increased diuresis, which leads to increased elimination of the total amount of substances excreted, including urine crystals, small calculi, bacteria, epithelia, mucus, etc. Given their composition, a number of these waters affect urine pH, particularly toward the alkaline side, have a lithoprotective effect due to the content of some elements, and many exert anti-inflammatory activity (due to a diuretic effect and the presence of some elements and bicarbonate). It is advisable to distinguish mineral waters for medicinal purposes (medicinal mineral waters) which have been shown to have a therapeutic effect on the human body from plain (table) mineral waters which have clear physiological effects on the human body and are beneficial for staying healthy and preventing body function impairments, but without having strictly therapeutic effects. Medicinal mineral water should not be drunk in large amounts without interruption, unlike table mineral water that can be served to drink even in the long term with no fear of adverse effects. The article provides a detailed overview of the most important and best-known Czech medicinal mineral waters and springs suitable for the prevention and treatment of urinary tract disease.

Keywords: medicinal mineral water, table mineral water, prevention and treatment of urinary tract disease.