When does a sauna harm your he alth? For example, when we struggle with a cold accompanied by a high temperature. In such a situation, sauna inhalations will not improve our he alth - on the contrary, they can only aggravate the disease. However, people struggling with cardiovascular diseases should pay attention to high air humidity and high temperatures in the sauna. Check when the sauna is harmful to your he alth and what are the contraindications to using the sauna.

Contraindications to using the saunaapply primarily to people suffering from chronic rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis of the spine, as well as people with bronchial asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (not in exacerbation of symptoms).

When is the sauna harmful? Who shouldn't use the sauna?

Sauna and a sick heart and varicose veins

High temperatures in saunas (especially in a dry sauna) are especially dangerous for people with heart failure. During your stay in the sauna, you sweat more and your lungs exhale faster. Patients with illnesses can quickly experience water and electrolyte disturbances, dehydration and a sudden drop in blood pressure. These unhe althy processes can initiate hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood), hypokalemia (low blood potassium levels) or hypomagnesaemia (low levels of magnesium in the body). The blood then thickens, increasing the tendency to clot formation. In addition, under the influence of high temperature, small blood vessels on the skin dilate, which, at the same time with low pressure, leads to insufficient oxygenation of the heart. As a result, the person's circulatory system becomes overloaded, which may result in fainting, stroke or even cardiac arrest.

Sauna and cold

It is also inadvisable to "treat" colds in the sauna, especially if we are also struggling with increased temperature. The sauna can only unnecessarily burden the body, which will have less strength to fight the disease.

Sauna and menstruation

Due to the weakening of the organism and high susceptibilityIn case of infections, it is not recommended to use the sauna for women who have periods.

Sauna and pregnancy

Pregnant women should not use the sauna, especially in the first trimester. During this time, the woman's body has to get used to the changes taking place in it. Therefore, it should not be subjected to additional stress. In addition, too high a temperature reduces blood pressure, which negatively affects blood flow to the baby and is dangerous at any stage of pregnancy. Doctors also argue that steam bathing can contribute to the development of birth defects in the fetus.

Important

Contraindications for using the sauna

  • skin diseases (especially purulent or ulcerated)
  • couperose skin
  • menstruation (after consulting a doctor)
  • pregnancy
  • diabetes
  • hyperthyroidism
  • acute rheumatic states
  • upper respiratory tract infections: colds, flu, acute asthma
  • fever
  • cardiovascular failure, atherosclerotic hardening, thromboembolic arteritis, hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases (including haemophilia and other hemorrhagic tendencies), varicose veins
  • acute inflammation
  • active peptic ulcer disease
  • urolithiasis
  • infection centers (e.g. with toothache)
  • diseases of the central nervous system
  • alcohol and drug abuse
  • the first month after surgery or surgery
  • people with implants, e.g. hip replacement
  • diseases: venereal, cancerous, epilepsy, glaucoma, color-blindness (consultation with a doctor is recommended).

Can I take my child to the sauna?

Doctors advise against taking children to the sauna until they are three years of age, when their immune systems are not yet fully developed. In a damp and warm sauna, bacteria or fungi can develop, which in small, not sufficiently resistant children can cause skin infections, e.g. mycosis. In addition, high temperature negatively affects the baby's circulatory and respiratory systems.

Category:

Pregnancy