Natural mineral water of the “Essentuki No. 4” type comes from wells with a depth of 998 meters. The water coming from the source is not colored, transparent, soda-salty taste, odorless, and forms a slight sediment when kept[4].
Chemical composition of Essentuki No. 4[1]
Average mineralization (7.0-10.0 g / l)
Anions, mg / l
Bicarbonate (HCO3-) 3400-4800
Sulfate (SO42-) less than 25
Chloride (Cl-) 1,300-1,900 Per
Cations, mg / l
Calcium (Ca2+) less than 150
Magnesium (Mg2+) less than 100
Sodium+Potassium (K++Na+) 2000-3000
Impurities, mg / l
Boric acid (H3BO3) 30-60
Dissolved carbon dioxide 500-1800
Indications for use[edit / edit code]
Recommended therapeutic use of mineral water “Essentuki No. 4” outside the acute phase for the following diseases[1]:
chronic gastritis with normal, low and high acidity;
reflux gastritis and reflux esophagitis;
peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum;
diseases of the liver and biliary tract;
chronic pancreatitis;
obesity;
chronic pyelonephritis;
urolithiasis;
chronic cystitis;
chronic urethritis;
violation of salt and lipid metabolism.
Due to the fact that when used inside the mineral water “Essentuki No. 4” stimulates the secretion of hydrochloric acid by the parietal cells of the stomach, it is prescribed for use as a treatment for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract with reduced secrecy (for example, atrophic gastritis). Therapeutic effect of mineral water “Essentuki No. 4”, as well as other mineral waters, does not differ in high efficiency and long duration of action. However, its use in a warm form 15-20 minutes before meals helps to stimulate the secretion of hydrochloric acid[5].
Mineral water “Essentuki № 4” is used to reduce the increased secretory function of the stomach in the balneological treatment of chronic gastritis and gastroduodenitis in children. It is prescribed 1.5-2 hours before meals at the rate of 3-5 ml per kg of child weight per day. In order to stimulate the secretory function of the stomach, mineral water “Essentuki No. 4” is consumed in the same volume 20-30 minutes before meals[6].
In addition, the intake of mineral water “Essentuki No. 4” is indicated for restoring the rhythm of defecation in children suffering from constipation. For this purpose assign water intake in the morning from a quarter to one and a half glasses with a small amount of gas[