Sauna is one way of relaxation that is favored by many people. Not only good for calming the mind, sauna also has various health benefits. Even so, there are also risks that can arise from the sauna.
A sauna is a hot, dry room that is used to help the body sweat and burn more calories. Sauna is also a way to relax the body. These facilities are usually available in salons, spas, and fitness centers.
In general, there are two types of saunas, namely dry saunas and infrared saunas. Dry saunas use a heater to heat the air.
Meanwhile, infrared saunas use light energy to heat up body temperature without increasing the air temperature. Infrared saunas usually produce lower temperatures than dry saunas.
Various Benefits of Sauna That Can Be Obtained
There are various benefits of sauna that you can get, including:
1. Provides a relaxing effect
The relaxing effect is the main benefit of the sauna. The temperature in the sauna room can reach 90.5 degrees Celsius, so it can increase the temperature of the skin. The hot temperature can make the body sweat, dilate blood vessels, and improve blood circulation.
As a result, tense muscles can relax and the body becomes more relaxed. The benefits of this relaxation are also able to reduce stress and make you sleep better.
2. Reduce pain
Saunas can also reduce chronic pain, especially in people with arthritis. This is because smoother blood circulation can reduce tension in the joints and relieve muscle pain.
A study conducted on patients with ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis revealed that sauna therapy which was carried out for 4 weeks, could reduce pain, muscle stiffness, and fatigue that appeared.
3. Maintain healthy heart and blood vessels
A study shows that sauna is done regularly, can maintain a healthy heart and blood vessels. Researchers also found that saunas can lower blood pressure and increase heart rate, similar to those of moderate exercise.
This benefit was also associated with a reduced risk of death from sudden heart attack, coronary heart disease, and other cardiovascular diseases.
However, more thorough research is still needed to find out whether saunas are really effective in helping treat these diseases.
Recognize the Dangers of Sauna
In addition to the various benefits that can be obtained, saunas also have risks that can be caused. The following are some of the risks or dangers of saunas:
Dehydration
Sauna makes the body sweat in large quantities. When used for a long time, it can increase the risk of dehydration. Therefore, it is advisable to drink enough water before and after doing a sauna to prevent dehydration.
Leave the sauna immediately if you experience dizziness, a headache, or feel very thirsty. This is a sign of dehydration and can be dangerous if left untreated.
Male fertility disorders
Increased temperature in the scrotal area is thought to reduce sperm production. One study showed that men who were frequently exposed to hot temperatures, including saunas, had decreased sperm count and quality.
However, further research is still needed to examine the effect of saunas on male fertility levels.
CaseWhat to Pay Attention to Before Sauna
Sauna is safe for people who have normal health conditions and fit bodies. Sauna is also quite safe for people with stable coronary heart disease, if not done for too long.
However, saunas are not recommended for people with unstable angina, heart rhythm disorders, uncontrolled blood pressure, heart valve disorders, and people with severe heart failure.
If you want to do a sauna, there are several things to consider, including:
- Clean yourself or take a shower before going to the sauna.
- Limit sauna time to no more than 15–20 minutes.
- For those of you who are using the sauna for the first time, it is recommended to limit the time of use. You can also divide your sauna sessions by cooling down between sessions until your body gets used to it.
- Drink at least 2 glasses of water before and after the sauna, to prevent dehydration.
- Stop the sauna if you feel sick or unfit while doing the sauna.
- Cool down gradually after doing the sauna.
- Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages and drugs that can make the body hot or drugs that affect the production of sweat, before and after the sauna.
- Remove any jewelry, glasses, contact lenses, or metal objects before entering the sauna room.
It was previously mentioned that saunas have benefits for maintaining heart health in healthy people. However, you know that saunas are not recommended for people with certain types of heart disease.
Therefore, before deciding to try a sauna, you are advised to consult a doctor first if you have certain medical conditions.