A sauna is a small room that is designed for experiencing dry or wet heat sessions. A sauna session can be a time for friends to sit and relax together, or it can be used for private, personal relaxation. In either case, using a sauna can be useful for relaxing the muscles and sweating out toxins. The temperatures in a sauna are typically between 140 °F and 194 °F. Many people also use saunas as part of a weight loss program. Because saunas heat your body and cause excessive perspiration, there are a variety of health risks that you should be aware of.
Hypotension
When you sit in a sauna, the heat causes your body to begin to sweat. One of the natural ways your body counteracts heat is to dilate the arteries and veins. Having the veins closer to the skin's surface, where sweating and cooling occurs, is needed in order to combat high temperatures.
When dilation occurs, your blood pressure drops. As you sweat, the loss of fluid drives your blood pressure even lower. A sudden fall in blood pressure can be dangerous. According to MayoClinic.com, a change of just 20 mm Hg---a drop from 130 systolic to 110 systolic, for example---can cause dizziness and fainting when the brain fails to receive an adequate supply of blood. It is important to drink plenty of water and limit your time in the sauna to reduce this effect.
Dehydration
As your body heats up, it increases sweating to help cool the skin and the veins close to the surface. Perspiration creates fluid loss, and this fluid contains sodium and potassium, which are important electrolytes. This loss of fluid and electrolytes is called dehydration. Symptoms include dizziness, dry mouth, thirst, fatigue and fainting. If you allow yourself to become dehydrated you may suffer from health problems such as heat injury, swelling of the brain, seizures, hypovolemic shock, kidney failure, coma and even death, according to MayoClinic.com.
Heart Problems
The combination of water loss and electrolyte disruption is especially dangerous for heart patients. Dr. Harvey Simon, editor-in-chief of Harvard Men's Health Watch, in an article entitled "The Benefits and Risks of Saunas" states that patients with poorly controlled blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, unstable angina, and advanced heart failure or heart valve disease will probably be advised to stay cool and avoid extreme heat. Dr. Simon advises that heart patients check with their doctors before using a sauna.
Pregnancy Risks
According to the Organization of Teratology Information Services, a body temperature of 101º F and above is risky during pregnancy. When body temperatures exceed healthy norms during the first trimester, it could contribute to possible birth defects in babies. Pregnant women can also be prone to developing abnormal blood pressures during pregnancy, and saunas may exacerbate these problems. If you are pregnant, you should talk with your physician before using a sauna.
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