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Mikrodermabrazja kontra sauna - Która metoda pielęgnacji skóry jest lepsza?
Saunas and Lung Health
A 2018 review of several studies, published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, suggests that sauna usage may improve lung function. The review found saunas may improve breathing, forced expiratory volume (how much air you can let out during a forced breath), and vital capacity (the maximum air that can be exhaled after maximal air has been inhaled).
In the review, one study of 12 male participants with obstructive pulmonary disease concluded that sauna use created a temporary improvement in lung function. Another study found that sauna exposure created breathing improvements in patients with asthma or chronic bronchitis. Other studies showed that frequent sauna use was associated with a reduced risk of pneumonia.
Studies to date examining the use of saunas in lung disease have very low numbers of patients studied, and therefore the data is considered inconclusive.
Acute Respiratory Symptoms
Though not conclusive, some studies have suggested that saunas can help relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and mild upper respiratory tract infections.
In one study, people who had been diagnosed with allergic rhinitis were randomly assigned to two groups. One group received education about their condition but otherwise lived as they normally would. Another received 30 minutes of sauna treatment three days a week for six weeks.
Both groups were tested at the beginning and again at three weeks and six weeks. The treatment group was found to have much greater improvements in peak nasal inspiratory flow rates (a measurement of nasal airflow during maximum inhalation) than the education group.
Studies have also looked at the potential for sauna use to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
A brief review published early in the COVID-19 pandemic looked at the effect of heat on other coronaviruses, including the viruses that cause Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV). In laboratory conditions, even temperatures below those in a traditional-style sauna could reduce coronavirus infectivity by 99.99% or more:
How Sanitary are Saunas? (Are They Full of Germs)
Saunas are warm and moist – two conditions in where bacteria can easily grow. People sweat in saunas, leaving behind their germs. A public sauna is much more likely to have germs and bacteria in it than a personal sauna, but all saunas should be cleaned regularly to prevent the growth of any bacteria.
Usually, even a public sauna is not that much of a worry because you’re going to wear a towel or have some other layer between you and the surfaces on which bacteria can grow. And oce you understand sauna etiquette around towel use and cleaning, you’ll be less concerned about germs and able to properly menjoy your session. If you plan on building your own sauna, know that a proper cleaning routine is a must to ensure fewer bacteria thrive.
I Used a Sauna Every Day for 2 Weeks. Here’s What Happened to My Body
Saunas have been around for thousands of years, and today's celebrities still tout them as health and wellness essentials for everything from muscle recovery and stress relief to improved lung function and better sleep.
Lady Gaga, for example, has shared that she uses an infrared sauna every day to alleviate bone inflammation from a hip injury she suffered years ago. Actor Chris Hemsworth and former professional soccer player David Beckham have also been vocal about using a sauna for the alleged health benefits they provide.
Since I’ve heard about so many positive experiences from sauna users, I wanted to try one myself. Because my gym in St. Louis, Missouri, has a sauna that's available for all members to use, I was able to regularly access the facility to document how repeated sauna use did—or didn't—impact my physical and mental health.
I also wanted to incorporate a sauna session into my daily routine because I put my body through a lot of stress and strain through weightlifting, running, stair climbing, and hiking.
Here are the top things I noticed after using my gym’s sauna for 15 minutes every day for two weeks.