An Overview Of A Sauna And Its Advantages
9th June, 2009The heat from a dry sauna often has a profound effect on your body and it can reach temperatures of around 185 degrees. Still, many people feel that the benefits of a sauna, or sweat baths as they have been called, are many. Your pulse rate can jump to 30% or higher than average, which causes the heart to nearly double the amount of blood pumped each minute. Most of that extra flow is directed to the skin and the circulation actually shunts blood away from internal organs. The temperature of your skin usually soars up to 104 degrees within just a few minutes causing most people to produce around one pint of sweat during that short stint in the sauna.
Most experts believe that even though saunas are considered safe, there is no real evidence of any health benefits beyond the feeling of rest and relaxation. However, the general consensus is that a heart patient needs to speak with his or her doctor before making use of any sauna equipment. Anyone having any type of abnormal heart rhythm, hard to control blood pressure or unstable angina will likely be told to avoid the sauna room.
It is always a good idea to practice safety measures when planning to spend some time in the sauna and those precautions may include limiting your sessions to 15 or 20 minutes, gradually cooling down when you are done and drinking several glasses of cool water when finished. You should also avoid medications and alcohol if you are planning to spend time in a sauna, as it may impair your ability to sweat both before and after.
Even with conflicting feelings about the actual safety or usefulness of the sauna there are some results that are undeniable. Of course they may vary for each individual, but most people do experience some type of benefit.
Some of the most often cited common benefits include reviving strained and tired muscles after physical exertion, as well as a cleansing effect from the perspiration, which helps to provide a clearer complexion and healthier skin. Saunas are also said to offer relief from the stiffness and pain of arthritis.
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