Why can't you swim in the Dead Sea for a long time. The Dead Sea and the rules for relaxing and swimming in the Dead Sea
- the most unique of all reservoirs on Earth. About amazing properties Dead Sea Aristotle wrote, and Mark Antony conquered these territories for his beloved Cleopatra, who, as you know, knew a lot about beauty and how to preserve it. By her order, a factory was built on the shores of the Dead Sea for the production of medicines and cosmetics with Dead Sea salts. The remains of this miracle plant can still be seen today.
What is the Dead Sea?
The length of the Dead Sea is 74 km, the width is 17 km, greatest depth- 400 m. Right in the middle is the border of two states: Israel and Jordan, so two countries own a unique reservoir. In fact, the Dead Sea is a lake in the deepest part of the Jordanian depression, since there are no rivers that would connect it with the world's oceans.
The Dead Sea is located in the lowest place on Earth - 412 m below sea level, and every year this figure decreases. There is a noticeable increase in atmospheric pressure, which weather-sensitive people can feel physically. The surface of the sea and its surroundings are a natural pressure chamber - this is also unique Dead property seas.
But the Dead Sea is most famous for its record-breaking huge amount of salts contained in the water. There are other bodies of water in the world with a high salt content that exceeds the average marine indicators, but the Dead Sea holds the absolute record.
33 percent - this is the salt content in the water! To appreciate the figures, it is enough to mention that in the Mediterranean Sea, which is considered quite salty, the salt content does not exceed 4 percent, and the Baltic Sea, which is considered the freshest, the salt content does not exceed 1 percent! One liter of water from the Black Sea contains up to 35 grams of salt, and the same volume of water from the Dead Sea already contains 275 grams.
Such a high salinity of water, and, naturally, its high density, guarantees the safest bathing in terms of the risk of drowning. Dive deep into the water is unlikely to succeed. To the touch dead water the sea is also not like ordinary sea water: it is oily. The composition of the Dead Sea salts is also unusual: there are fewer sulfides, but much more bromine than in ordinary sea salt.
The sea is not called dead for nothing: there are no living organisms in it at all, not even bacteria. There is only one place where some living creatures are found - a couple of places at the very mouth of the Jordan. In the rest of the Dead Sea, no living creature can survive in such salty water. True, not so long ago, scientists discovered mycelial, fungal organisms in the waters of the Dead Sea, which can live even in a high concentration of salt solution.
And in all other respects, it is, in fact, a silent water desert that will not be able to interest diving enthusiasts. Moreover, swimming under water, if anyone succeeds, is not safe. You need to constantly monitor salty water did not get on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose or eyes. The high concentration of salt can corrode the mucous membranes, and in people with sensitive skin can also cause discomfort.
Composition of the Dead Sea
The Dead Sea in Hebrew is called Yam Hammelah, translated from Hebrew - the Sea of \u200b\u200bSalt (Salt Sea). The water of the Dead Sea itself is a liquid that is incorrectly called water. This is a concentrated solution: acidic, hydrochloric or alkaline. Salts of almost the entire periodic table are dissolved in the waters of the Dead Sea.
The water of the Dead Sea is extremely high in sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and bromine ions - ions that play an important role in the human body. Human lymph and blood have a composition of macroelements similar to the water of the Dead Sea. It is impossible to overestimate this fact.
The content of potassium in the Dead Sea is almost 20 times higher than in Atlantic Ocean, magnesium - 35 times more, calcium - 42 times more, bromine - 80 times more. The uniqueness of the Dead Sea salts is not only in quantity, but also in quality. In the waters of others saline reservoirs The content of sodium chloride (common salt) in the oceans is up to 77% of the total salt composition, and in the Dead Sea its share is only 25-30%, and magnesium salts (chloride and bromide) make up to 50% of all salts of the Dead Sea.
Potassium salts do not precipitate anywhere on Earth during the evaporation of sea water. And from the water of the Dead Sea it was possible to artificially crystallize potassium salts. Since 1930, the Dead Sea has been extracting bromine and potassium carbonate from sea water. The only production of its kind in the world!
Dead Sea Properties
Dead Sea for health
The Dead Sea, despite its rather gloomy name, is a real health resort. And even if you do not use the services of numerous resort facilities, of which there are a great many on the seashore, ordinary swimming in the Dead Sea can significantly improve health, no matter what area of medicine your personal health problems relate to.
Bathing in the Dead Sea is one of the ways to normalize mineral metabolism. The concentration of table salt in the human body is higher than in the water of the Dead Sea. When swimming in the Dead Sea, due to the osmotic pump, salt is transferred from our body (from the area of high concentration) to the water of the Dead Sea (to the area of low concentration). For those who suffer from arthritis, arthrosis, gout caused by high salt content in the body, swimming in the Dead Sea can be a panacea.
The air of the Dead Sea has healing properties - it is uniquely clean, warmed up by a long journey through the cleanest deserts from an ecological point of view, absolutely dry (humidity - 25%). Salt vapors saturate this clean air with minerals, making ordinary breathing a powerful inhalation procedure that frees the body from respiratory diseases, including bronchial asthma, for a long time.
Mud extracted from the bottom of the Dead Sea has an even more powerful therapeutic effect. Muds have a huge anti-inflammatory and hormone-active effect, while they do not contain any antibacterial or hormonal components. Now the Dead Sea mud is considered the best in the world in terms of effectiveness and helps to cope with the widest list of diseases, both external, skin, and internal organs.
The effectiveness of Dead Sea mud is associated not only with high salt saturation, but also with the physical characteristics of the mud - the fractions of mud particles are very small. For example, the particle size from the Black Sea near the city of Saki ( Ukrainian Crimea), which are considered reference in terms of composition and degree of impact on the human body, - 140 microns, and mud from the Dead Sea - 45 microns.
This size makes the permeability of nutrients into the body greater. Dead Sea Mud contain the same trace elements as water: a huge amount of calcium, potassium, magnesium and bromine. Due to the presence of bromine in large quantities The population of the Dead Sea coast is famous for its calmness and equanimity.
In the vicinity of the Dead Sea - a special microclimate. The air temperature in summer here rises above 45 degrees, which causes increased evaporation of water. It can be seen with the naked eye - a whitish haze is constantly present above the sea. It is actually a natural filter that does not let hard ultraviolet light through to the ground. Near the Dead Sea, it is almost impossible to burn out. Although it is still worth taking precautions, especially for white-skinned people.
When swimming in the Dead Sea, you need to follow the principle of reasonableness: do not wallow for hours on the water, but go ashore more often and immediately rinse in the shower. One bathing session should not exceed 20 minutes. It is recommended to bathe three to four times during the day.
Indications for treatment at the Dead Sea
1) Dermatological diseases: psoriasis (all forms except generalized pustular), psoriatic erythroderma, ichthyosis, vitiligo, stage 1-2 mycoses, scleroderma in the initial stage, lichen planus, acne and others;
2) inflammatory diseases of the joints and spine, polyarthritis (inactive phase), osteochondrosis, rheumatism;
3) diseases of the respiratory system: chronic sinusitis, otitis media in remission, tinnitus - tinnitus, chronic rhinitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis (including occupational);
4) diseases gastrointestinal tract: colitis, gastritis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, intestinal dysbacteriosis (including in children), pathology of the liver and biliary tract;
5) proctological pathology.
Contraindications: epilepsy, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, recent heart attack or stroke, hypertension, acute infectious diseases, AIDS, pulmonary tuberculosis, kidney and liver failure, pemphigus, lupus erythematosus.
Berestova Svetlana
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The Dead Sea, formed a million years ago, is located on the territory of Jordan and Israel. This area is considered the most low place on Earth: it is located 400 m below the level of the oceans. Often people are interested in: why is the Dead Sea called dead? So, the sea got its name because around it, with the exception of the Ein Gedi reserve, neither animals nor birds are found.
Tourists planning to visit Israel are interested in how to get to the Dead Sea and is it possible to swim in it? There are various ways to get to the Dead Sea: from Israeli airport Ben Gurion by bus, train, minibus, taxi or rental car.
Vacationers can swim in the Dead Sea all year round. Especially here people who can't swim like to swim. Salty, very dense water in the Dead Sea keeps the body afloat, preventing it from sinking. A kind of “weightlessness effect” is created, which allows you to relax and unload the musculoskeletal system. Moreover, you can swim in the sea only on your back or on your side. But you won’t be able to swim on your stomach: the water will stubbornly turn you on your back. But you can safely lie in the water on your back and read the newspaper! However, swimming should still be done with caution. Local doctors recommend staying in the water for only 10-15 minutes. Swimming on all beaches should only be supervised by lifeguards.
Salt concentration in sea water gradually increased over the centuries and now stands at 33%, which makes the Dead Sea unique climatic resort. An excellent therapeutic effect on patients with various skin, muscle and joint diseases is provided by hydrogen sulfide sources rich in microelements and minerals and healing mud resorts of the Dead seas.
Climate in the Dead Sea area
Basically, the climate on the coast of the Dead Sea is desert, but it has a number of features. According to statistics, there are 330 sunny days and rainfall is only 50 mm per year. IN winter period average temperature air is +20°C, in summer the heat reaches +40°C. The water temperature in the Dead Sea in winter never drops below +17°C, while in summer the water warms up to +40°C. In this area, the atmospheric pressure is very high, and there is much more oxygen in the air than anywhere else. A peculiar effect of a natural pressure chamber is created. Ultraviolet radiation is devoid of the traditional harmful effects on humans due to the presence in the air of a kind of "umbrella" of mineral aerosols.
Dead Sea Resorts
All these unique natural qualities are successfully used by local doctors in the treatment of various diseases. There are many hotels on the shores of the Dead Sea, each of which has pools with water from the Dead Sea and hydrogen sulfide mud. On famous resort Ehn Bokek opened the Dead Sea Clinic.
On the main part sea coast you can’t swim, moreover, even approaching the water is unsafe due to quicksand. Therefore, for swimming on the shores of the Dead Sea, there are specially equipped public beaches, free access to which is allowed to everyone. All hotels, in turn, own their own, excellent 
equipped beaches.
In the Ein Gedi nature reserve, this amazing flowering oasis, exotic birds live, foxes, ibexes, gazelles are found.
Despite the undoubted benefits of a holiday at the Dead Sea, there are contraindications for treatment here. These include oncology, cardiovascular diseases, AIDS and various infections, hemophilia and some others. Children under 18 are also not recommended to visit the Dead Sea.
The Dead Sea is a one-of-a-kind natural health resort, where anyone can go.
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In the morning, the same taxi driver picked us up and took us to the Israeli border. At the exit from Jordan, I had to pay 8 dinars. On the Israeli side, they hit big queue. Ahead was a whole crowd of some pilgrims from Guatemala, returning from a pilgrimage to Christian places. Everyone had huge bags and the queue moved slowly.
There was another ambush, but the Israeli border guards, under the guise of a security check, are able to confuse people. Sergei Sergeyich, looking at his passport, was asked an unexpected question - what is his name. Oshalev from this, he could not clearly pronounce his complex Baltic surname, thanks to which he got to a more in-depth check. They took away his passport, and when asked when they would give it back, they answered - "well, today we will give it back, later."
They stood like that for maybe half an hour, waiting for the Israelis to test themselves to their heart's content. They didn't make me undress, and that's good :)
Returning to Israel, we first went to the Egyptian border, looked at what kind of beaches there were. Beaches, to be honest, so-so.
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At the Egyptian border
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Beach on the Red Sea next to the Egyptian border
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Red sea. Now Jordan is visible in the distance
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Beach on the Red Sea next to the Egyptian border
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Our itinerary along the Dead Sea
In general, heading to Israel and looking at the map, it seemed to me that there should be a lot of beaches on the Dead Sea. However, we were in for a big disappointment.
Well, firstly, it turned out that the Dead Sea, like the Aral Sea, is drying up, and has already been divided into two parts, a large northern and a small southern one. The fact is that the Jordan River, which feeds the sea, is almost all used for irrigation, and there is practically nothing to replenish the sea. And then it turned out that factories settled in the southern part, which simply scoop out all its contents in search of valuable minerals. Scoop out on an industrial scale, huge buckets and conveyors. This mess is called Dead Sea Works.
same part south sea, where nothing is scooped out, is divided by dams into small sections, which makes it look like the ash dumps of the Narva power plants :) No, well, in kind, people who live in sanatoriums generally know what "sea" they swim in, have they seen Googlemaps? :)
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The southern part of the Dead Sea, as seen from space
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We also have this in Narva :)
The resort town where all the sanatoriums on the Dead Sea are located is called Ein Bokek. Although "town" is a strong word. It is rather an oasis, consisting of a couple of streets. This is where we went for a swim. Swimming, if you do not live in one of the hotels, you can on the public beach. The beach is so-so, not sand, not pebbles, but you won’t understand what.
But the water of the Dead Sea atones for all the inconvenience. Yes, you can really lie on it, sticking your head out or even lifting your legs :) The water itself is oily to the touch. I don't know how it tastes, I haven't tried it. Safety regulations advise against making sudden movements so that the spray does not corrode the eyes. As for excitement, there are no waves here and cannot be, because you are not swimming in the sea, but in the "ash dump cell" :)
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Southern Dead Sea
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Southern Dead Sea
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In the oasis of Ein Bokek
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In the oasis of Ein Bokek
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Beach parking
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On the beach of Ein Bokek
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On the beach of Ein Bokek
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On the beach of Ein Bokek
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On the beach of Ein Bokek
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On the beach of Ein Bokek
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On the beach of Ein Bokek
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On the beach of Ein Bokek
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In the oasis of Ein Bokek
The next point of the program was the Masada fortress. It is known for the fact that it was built on top of a mountain several thousand years ago, and in the 1st century AD. was last stronghold uprisings of the Jews against the Romans. Up to the fortress, you can climb the cable car. But here we were waiting for epic fail. We arrived at the foot of the mountain at 4:05 pm only to find out that last flight cable car went upstairs 5 minutes ago. Yes, we slept for a long time in the morning, we got ready for a long time ... This is what the absence of the expedition leader in the person of A.A. means. :)
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In the mountains at the foot of the fortress of Masada
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Cable car to Masada
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In the mountains at the foot of the fortress of Masada
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In the mountains at the foot of the fortress of Masada
On the occasion of such a bummer, it was decided to once again swim in the Dead Sea. We drove further north, reached its northern part and stopped at the only place where we could get to the sea, near Ein Gedi. This place is a large parking lot with several cafes, well, there is also a type of beach. The beach is absolute trash, but, in the absence of others, it is very popular, because there are a lot of people. All around, however, solid sharp stones, so that you can enter the water either in slippers or on all fours. But the specific water of the Dead Sea, like the first time, gave pleasure, no matter what. We didn’t want to get out so much that we sailed here for almost an hour, until it began to get dark and the rescuers drove everyone ashore.
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On the beach of Ein Gedi
Dear Toviy Semenovich, my wife and I are 62 (years old), but (we are not complaining about this) despite this, we would like to stay at the Dead Sea for 7-8 days at the very beginning of December this year. How to properly manage this time if you don’t need to specifically treat anything: how long can you be under the sun, how much in the water, how long can you keep the healing mud on yourself?
Thank you for your attention.
Answer: In early December, the Dead Sea is not hot enough - it is cool to swim in the sea (at least for us Israelis). That is, you can swim, but the water is not warm. The hotels, however, have pools with heated water from the Dead Sea. And on the street - degrees 22−25. The sun does not shine too much - you can not burn yourself.
It is very important to enter the sea correctly - the bottom on most beaches is rocky, it is difficult to go, and you need to go in very carefully so as not to slip and fall into the water - this is dangerous. It is best to go directly into the water in beach slippers, and you can swim right in them. When entering the water, you need to gently lie on your back, and swim lying or sitting. It is not possible to swim on the chest - it turns over. If water gets into your eyes, nose or mouth - urgently run under the shower and rinse - the water is so salty that it burns like acid.
As for being in the water - you should not sit in warm water for more than 10 minutes at a time. You can repeat such visits several times a day - but in general, be guided by well-being. You can be in the sun, but in the early days - try not to sunbathe for more than 15-20 minutes. Then you can increase the period.
Dirt can be kept after spreading for about twenty minutes, then rinsed off. It is sold, packaged in plastic bags, in the same place, on the beach. Important: before applying the dirt, it must be heated (for example, under hot water directly in the bag, or in the microwave) - otherwise it is not effective.
The Dead Sea is not far from Jerusalem, and there are a lot of tourist attractions in the vicinity - I advise you to take the opportunity and go on excursions. If you have any questions about possible excursions, you can contact my wife Svetlana, she isIsrael professional tour guide , and will be happy to answer your questions - go to her page.
I wish you a pleasant stay.
In early December, the Dead Sea is not hot enough - it is cool to swim in the sea (at least for us Israelis). That is, you can swim, but the water is not warm. The hotels, however, have pools with heated water from the Dead Sea.
And it’s 22-25 degrees outside. The sun doesn’t shine too much - you won’t be able to burn yourself.
It is very important to enter the sea correctly - on most beaches it is rocky, it is difficult to go, and you need to go in very carefully so as not to slip and fall into the water - this is dangerous. It is best to go directly into the water in beach slippers, and you can swim right in them. When entering the water, you need to gently lie on your back, and swim lying or sitting. It is not possible to swim on the chest - it turns over. If water gets into your eyes, nose or mouth, immediately run under the shower and rinse - the water is so salty that it burns like acid.
As for staying in warm water, you should not sit for more than 10 minutes at a time. You can repeat such visits several times a day - but in general, be guided by well-being. You can be in the sun, but in the early days, try not to sunbathe for more than 15-20 minutes. Then you can increase the time
Dirt can be kept after spreading for about twenty minutes, then rinsed off. It is sold in plastic bags in the same place on the beach. Important - before applying the mud, it must be heated (for example, under hot water directly in the bag, or in the microwave) - otherwise it is not effective.
The Dead Sea is not far from Jerusalem, and there are a lot of tourist attractions in the vicinity - I advise you to take the opportunity and go on excursions. If you have any questions about possible excursions, you can contact my wife Svetlana - she is a professional guide in Israel and will be happy to answer your questions.
I wish you a pleasant stay.
The Dead Sea is a unique and one of a kind natural healing resource, in which many healing factors are concentrated, like in no other resort in the world. Its properties have been used since ancient times for the treatment of various diseases (inflammatory, bone and joint system, blood circulation, respiration), rejuvenation of the body. For example, Queen Cleopatra had her own residence on the Dead Sea, where she came to improve her health and undergo rejuvenating procedures.
Already the climate in the Dead Sea area has a healing effect:
- all this has a beneficial effect.
According to statistics, more than 3.5 million tourists from different countries: 63% of them are Russians, the second place is occupied by residents of America - 25% (from the USA 19%), followed by Western countries And southeastern countries. It has also been established that more than 1/3 of tourists come to this resort again. All these figures speak for themselves.
But is the Dead Sea a panacea for all diseases? Panacea, as such, does not exist at all, but the Dead Sea is somewhere close to this concept. And yet there are diseases, although they are few, in which treatment at the Dead Sea can harm the body. And if a practically healthy person can come to rest and improve himself, then patients should definitely consult and decide with a doctor.
Fill out the contact form on our website, get a free consultation from a leading specialist in the field of balneology, and decide whether it is possible to treat your disease at the Dead Sea.
General contraindications for treatment at the Dead Sea
It is contraindicated to stay in the Dead Sea area and take any procedures there in the following cases:
- for any infectious diseases, including active tuberculosis;
- with exacerbation of chronic inflammatory diseases - until the acute manifestations subside;
- malignant tumors of any localization;
- severe forms of diabetes;
- diseases of internal organs (heart, lungs, kidneys) in the stage of decompensation with a pronounced violation of their function;
- condition after a stroke, heart attack, if 6 months have not passed after their occurrence;
- blood clotting disorders (both hemorrhagic syndrome and thrombosis);
- early rehabilitation period after operations - at the discretion of the attending physician;
- acute allergic reactions, pemphigus, exacerbation of lupus erythematosus, other acute skin diseases;
- neuropsychiatric disorders, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease;
- drug addiction, alcoholism.
In all these cases, the stimulating effect of various procedures at the Dead Sea can lead to a worsening of the listed diseases.
Contraindications for thalassotherapy
Thalassotherapy or sea bathing in the Dead Sea is significantly different from swimming in ordinary seas due to the special composition of the water. It has an alkaline reaction (PH-9), and the concentration of minerals in it is so high (about 300 grams / liter) that prolonged exposure to water can cause burns. Therefore, bathing is allowed no more than 2 times a day, and their duration is 10-15 minutes, with an interval of several hours.
It is not allowed to swim and dive, as water can get on the mucous membranes and cause burns. It is also not recommended to wet the skin of the face, pre-protect it with a greasy cream. You should also not enter the sea barefoot, because large and sharp salt crystals can damage the skin of the feet.
Bathing in the Dead Sea is contraindicated:
- in acute inflammatory diseases, infections;
- with insufficient function of internal organs (heart, lungs, kidneys);
- in the presence of wounds and ulcers on the skin;
- suffering from mental disorders.
Contraindications for pelotherapy
Pelotherapy or treatment with Dead Sea mud is a unique method of multilateral effects on the body. They stimulate metabolic processes, dilate blood vessels, warm, cause a rush of blood to the tissues. Excellent effect is obtained by patients with diseases of the musculoskeletal system, nervous system, chronic inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs, chronic skin diseases, and so on.
And yet, this effect is not suitable for all diseases, for example:
- with acute skin diseases;
- all acute inflammatory diseases or during an exacerbation;
- all types of tumors;
- the presence of defects, wounds, ulcers on the skin;
- with thyrotoxicosis;
- with diabetes;
- during pregnancy;
- with mental illness and epilepsy;
- with violations of the function of internal organs;
- persons over 65 years of age.
This is not a complete, but only an indicative list of the main contraindications. In any case, treatment at the Dead Sea is prescribed only by a doctor after an examination. It is like a good strong medicine that can heal, but on the other hand, its overdose can be fatal. In any case, having arrived in Israel as a tourist, you can undergo a complete and quick Check-Up medical examination at any of the clinics in order to find out about your state of health and, if indicated, not to miss the opportunity to undergo treatment, or just a general improvement of the body on Dead Sea.
