On the face of it, sitting in a small, very hot room for the sole purpose of sweating may hold little appeal. From the Finnish sauna to the Native American sweat lodge, however, there have been generations of adherents to the practice of using a dry heat sauna. Researchers have even found that regular use of saunas can reduce the incidence of the common cold, an inconvenient condition notoriously hard to treat.
Features
Dry heat saunas are noted for their high temperatures and low humidity. The temperature in a dry heat sauna varies---about 176 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. The low humidity makes the high temperatures tolerable for a longer period of time. The humidity in a dry heat sauna is usually achieved by pouring a ladle of water over hot stones within the sauna.
Benefits
After studying 50 subjects, Austrian researchers found regular sauna bathing reduced the incidence of the common cold, particularly in the latter half of the six-month study; study results were published in the "Annals of Medicine" in 1990. Sauna proponents say sweating in a sauna helps release toxins from the body. As your body sweats, it works harder, causing a temporary increase in heart rate and lowering of blood pressure. It is not unusual to lose weight after using a sauna, although the weight loss may be from water weight and temporary. The heat of a sauna does allow you to relax, and it may relieve joint and muscle pain such as that experienced with arthritis.
Burns
In 2009, the "Journal of Burn Care and Research" published an article discussing "rare but potentially fatal ... hot air sauna burns." These burns were complicated by rhabdomyolysis, a breakdown of muscle tissue. The Danish medical journal "Ugeskrift for Laeger" also reported a 2009 case study of a patient who died from heat stroke and burns received in a sauna. If you plan to use a dry heat sauna, take care that you do not become overheated or sustain a burn.
Medical Indications
After evaluating claims of the medical benefits of saunas, researcher Richard Beever published his conclusions in a 2009 issue of the journal "Canadian Family Physician." He found that there was limited evidence to support the use of saunas in treating congestive heart failure and hypertension. There was fair evidence for the use of saunas in treating chronic pain, and there was only weak evidence suggesting sauna therapy might benefit individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome or assist in the treatment of obesity. Beever also found evidence that refuted previous claims regarding the benefits of saunas for reducing cholesterol.
Potential
Researchers are exploring the possibilities of using sauna therapy to treat a number of different conditions. A 2009 article published in the journal "Medical Hypotheses" discussed the potential of using sauna therapy to treat diseases which may be related to BH4 (tetrahydrobiopterin) deficiency including hypertension, multiple chemical sensitivity, vascular endothelial dysfunction and heart failure. Sauna therapy may also benefit people who suffer from fibromyalgia.
Cautions
Women who are pregnant or attempting to conceive should not use a sauna without consulting their obstetrician first. If you have any chronic health condition, check with your doctor before using a sauna. When using a sauna, drink plenty of water before and afterward to avoid dehydration. Take care that you do not become dehydrated, overheated, dizzy or disoriented; if those conditions occur, seek prompt medical attention.
Member Comments