Medical Benefits of Sauna (and Steam):




Concerns:

Contraindications to sauna include

Unstable Angina Pectoris (Angina)

Recent Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)

Severe Aortic Stenosis. 

 

Sauna is safe for most people with stable coronary heart disease.
It is in general not harmful when used in the senior population as long as it is used prudently.

The  risk of heat prostration and hyperthermia should always be noted when participating in Sauna.

Individuals with  heart  or epileptic  disorders,  as well as those that use alcohol or cocaine are especially susceptible to the adverse affects of Sauna.

Prolonged stay in a sauna may lead to the loss of electrolytes from the body, the same as after rigorous exercise.  I often drink an isotonic, electrolyte replacement solution (ie Gatorade, Vitamin Water etc.) as well as water before, during and after Sauna. 

 

Benefits

Regular and Consistent Sauna use may:

Reduce the incidence of the common cold, and temporarily relieve the symptoms.

Increase performance in an endurance sport.

Increases plasma volume and red cell volume in athletes.

Decreased systolic blood pressure (The top number in a blood pressure reading).

Significantly improved exercise tolerance

May reduce chronic pain more effectively than multidisciplinary treatment alone.

May reduce chronic pain more effectively than cognitive behavior therapy.

May help alleviate rheumatic pain (with cold shower)

Is effective for appetite loss and mild depression.

Reduce symptoms in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Rheumatoid arthritis,

Improve the health of  patients with Anorexia Nervosa.

 

Improve functionality in conditions such as:

Congestive Heart Failure

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Improves vasodilation,

Reduces heart rate when participating in exercise.

 

Reduce levels of stress hormones:

Such as adrenalin and noradrenalin as well as increasing levels of beta endorphin.  However, it is also associated with a substantial increase in other stress hormones namely, ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), and cortisol due to hyperthermic stress on the body.

Serve as a form of detoxification:

Sauna in coordination with regular exercise therapy can efficiently clear organic chemicals,solvents, drugs, pharmaceuticals even PCBs and heavy metals from the body.

Augment Anti-Oxidant Pathways of the Body:

Sauna in coordination with a short term cold stimulus (i.e. cold water swimming, cold water immersion/showers) leads to an increase in glutathione and a decrease in the concentration of uric acid. The aforementioned changes may lead to a more vigorous resistance to the physiologic stress associated with illness.

The following disorders may be helped by Sauna's salutary effect on Glutathione Metabolism:

Cardiovascular conditions

Pulmonary diseases

Diabetes

Inflammatory bowel diseases

Cancer

Osteoporosis

Aging

Post-pesticide exposure

 

 

References:

 

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