Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Uluslararası Vizyon Van 2024 Kongresi, Van, Türkiye, 8 - 09 Şubat 2024, ss.189-190
Psoriasis is a non-contagious, autoimmune, chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects 3-5% of the world population, characterized by erythematous, scaly, sharply demarcated papules or plaques, with an etiopathogenesis that is not fully understood. The disease significantly reduces the quality of life for patients and is often accompanied by a multitude of inflammation-related conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and psoriatic arthritis. Moreover, psoriasis is a recurring disorder that can manifest at any age due to experienced stress and presents a different clinical picture in each individual. The absence of a definitive and long-lasting treatment among current biological therapies has prompted clinicians to explore alternative treatment strategies. In many countries around the world, geothermal and hydro therapies are being preferred in addition to modern treatment options for psoriasis as part of health tourism. Turkey has numerous thermal and mineral water resources with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 102°C. Particularly, in the province of Van and its vicinity, it is believed among the public that the waters of Lake Van (Turkey), which have emerged due to tectonic activities and are include rich ions such as Ca+2, Mg+2, and HCO3 - possess hydromineral resources treats skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema, atopic dermatitis, rosacea, and alleviates the their symptoms. However, scientific studies regarding the therapeutic uses of these hydrogeological and hydromineral resources seem insufficient. Therefore, the potential positive effects of the subterranean and surface water resources found in and around Van on inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis are of vital importance for the country, both in terms of reflecting upon healthy living tourism and in terms of development. The aim and scope of this research are to provide a current scientific evaluation of the effectiveness of geothermal and hydrobiological resources in the Van region in the treatment of psoriasis and to highlight the potential of Van (Turkey) as a geographical destination in health tourism as a prospective treatment center for skin diseases.
Keywords: Psoriasis, Hydromineral therapy, Thermal theraphy, Health & wellness tourism, Van (Turkey)