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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:
A Word From Verywell
It is important to take all of the necessary precautions to stay safe when you use a sauna. Although it has overall health benefits, don’t use a sauna as an alternative to any standard medical treatment.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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- Laukkanen JA, Laukkanen T, Kunutsor SK. Cardiovascular and other health benefits of sauna bathing: a review of the evidence. Mayo Clin Proc. 2018,93(8):1111-1121. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2018.04.008
- Kunbootsri N, Janyacharoen T, Arrayawichanon P, et al. The effect of six-weeks of sauna on treatment autonomic nervous system, peak nasal inspiratory flow and lung functions of allergic rhinitis Thai patients. Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol. 2013,31(2)142-147. doi:10.12932/AP0262.31.2.2013
- Kampf G, Voss A, Scheithauer S. Inactivation of coronaviruses by heat. J Hosp Infect. 2020,105(2):348-349. doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2020.03.025
- Kikuchi H, Shiozawa N, Takata S, Ashida K, Mitsunobu F. Effect of repeated Waon therapy on exercise tolerance and pulmonary function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a pilot controlled clinical trial. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2014,9(1):9-15. doi:10.2147/COPD.S50860
- Preisler B, Falkenbach A, Klüber B, et al. [The effect of the Finnish dry sauna on bronchial asthma in childhood] (article in German). Pneumologie. 1990,44(10):1185-7. PMID: 2281065
- Kunutsor SK, Laukkanen T, Laukkanen JA. Sauna bathing reduces the risk of respiratory diseases: a long-term prospective cohort study. Eur J Epidemiol. 2017,32(12):1107-1111. doi:10.1007/s10654-017-0311-6
- Laukkanen T, Kunutsor SK, Khan H, Willeit P, Zaccardi F, Laukkanen JA. Sauna bathing is associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality and improves risk prediction in men and women: a prospective cohort study. BMC Med. 2018,16(1):219. doi:10.1186/s12916-018-1198-0
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- Harvard Health Publishing. Sauna health benefits: are saunas healthy or harmful?
- Garolla A, Torino M, Sartini B, et al. Seminal and molecular evidence that sauna exposure affects human spermatogenesis. Hum Reprod. 2013,28(4):877-885. doi:10.1093/humrep/det020
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Use High Temperature To Thwart The Spread Of Sauna Bacteria
Bacteria love moist and warm environments, but many microorganisms will die in high enough temperatures. You should always look for a sauna that is above 150°F. Most bacteria will die between 140°F and 158°F, so anything between those is perfect if you want to stay safe in the sauna. You will want to keep your eye on the hygrometer and thermometer in your sauna.
Although saunas can be breeding grounds for germs, they can easily be cleaned out. If you are sitting in a public sauna, you will want to ensure you wear the proper clothing, rinse off before and after the sauna, and sit on a towel to catch the sweat. If you feel comfortable, you should always wear flip-flops or foot covers because the floor tends to be the germiest. Having your own sauna means less risk, but you should still always clean regularly.
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Risks
Overall, saunas are safe for most people. But if you have certain health conditions, you should avoid using saunas.
For example, individuals who have kidney disease, are pregnant, had a recent heart attack, have unstable angina (chest pain), or have severe aortic stenosis (narrowing of the heart's major artery) should avoid the sauna.
Concerns about sauna use include:
- Dehydration: During a sauna session, an average person will expel a pint of sweat through their pores. This releases toxins, but requires replacing the water lost to avoid getting dehydrated.
- Changes in blood pressure: During a session in the sauna, blood pressure can increase and decrease, while pulse rate can jump by 30% or more. This doubles the amount of blood that the heart pumps by the minute. As such, it is important to talk to a healthcare professional before going to a sauna if you have a heart condition.
Does Sauna Use Kill Sperm?
Frequent sauna use may affect spermatogenesis, which is the origin and development of sperm cells. Therefore, people with testicles who are actively pursuing parenthood may want to refrain from regular sauna use.
