Health benefits of sauna

The benefits are of sauna are many, although it will not benefit everyone. So what are the benefits and who should avoid sauna?

Your heart rate can increase by between 50 and 75% during a short 10 to 20 minute sauna session and a sauna's dry heat can get as high as 185° F. This increase is said to be similar to the metabolic changes achieved with physical exercise. The heat also causes ones blood vessels in the skin to expand, which happens so that you are able to accommodate increased blood flow. Your skin temperature in fact, can rise to more than 100° F plus within just a few minutes. An average person will often lose a pint of sweat in a 10 or 20 minute sauna session. Your pulse-rate can rise by 30% or more, allowing the heart to nearly double the amount of blood it pumps each minute. A lot of this extra blood flow goes to the skin.

Some experts actually say that there are NO known health benefits except for the feeling of relaxation and that they do not do you harm either. What is clear from most literature on sauna and health benefits and dangers is that people with heart problems should either consult their doctor first before using a sauna or AVOID saunas. Similarly, pregnant woman may want to take advice first. If you are unsure always consult your doctor first and additionally take some precautions:

• Do not drink alcohol or take medication that may impair sweating, before using a sauna.
• Do not stay in a sauna for more than 15–20 minutes.
• Make sure you drink a few glasses of water after the sauna.
• Do not take a sauna when you are ill or have any medical problems/issues that may cause you cause problems if going into a sauna.

Some experts do say that sauna IS beneficial to people (except for the people with conditions). Circulation to blood vessels is increased and the blood flow to the skin increases. The increased blood flow moves useful nutrients to subcutaneous and surface tissue. This in turn helps cellular activity and growth. The sauna in effect helps to nourish the skin and can help circulation, in addition to removing the sebum and bacteria lodged in fat.

Saunas help a person to sweat and this helps the person to cleanse their skin and sweat glands. With thirty per cent of body waste, yes thirty per cent, being in a sauna helps to induce the detoxifying of the skin. Profuse sweating enhances the flushing of the body as it were. Steam inhalation in steam rooms, can also act as a very good treatment for several respiratory problems.

To find a local spa or sauna visit the spa and saunas page.