Saunas are very powerful weapons in the maintenance of our health and with more research being published around infrared saunas, we are finally beginning to understand the benefits, mechanisms, and risks of them.
Are saunas bad for your lungs and respiratory system – that’s the question. The truth is that it’s rather the opposite. Saunas pose no risk to your respiratory system and on top of this, they can actually help in times of symptoms of asthma, cold, flu, or congestion. Here’s a little bit more regarding what the research tells us about saunas.
Where did saunas come from?
Today’s saunas originate from the concept of ‘sauna bathing’. All in all, this is heat therapy originating in Finland and the Nordic part of Europe, then spreading outwards. In those cultures, saunas are used primarily for pleasure, culture, and socialization. People will go to spend 5-20 minutes in these heated rooms, some of which are up to 100 degrees Celsius. They often interchange these heated room visits with time in a cool-off pool or shower.
Looking further into saunas, they’ve been around for 1,000s of years with evidence of them in Turkey, Russia, and other parts of the world. In each of these cultures, a sauna looked a little different. Some blended in other spa-esque treatments into
Understanding the health benefits
There are anecdotes out there of individuals who regularly take sauna sessions and end up attaining these massive health benefits. These anecdotes have long shown there’s something to saunas, and some even claim they’ve helped to reduce symptoms of acute and chronic conditions.
The biggest study ever conducted analyzing the benefits of a traditional sauna looked at the sauna habits of 2,300 men culled together over two decades. This study was published in 2015 and showed that the men who partook in a sauna 4-7 times a week had dramatically fewer deaths from heart disease or stroke. In fact, it was shown to decrease the likelihood of any fatal event in a significant way. A follow-up study subsequently also confirmed saunas 4-7 times per week could reduce the risk of dementia as well.
What does a sauna do for our respiratory system?
Regarding the impact that a sauna has on the respiratory system, the evidence is clear. It’s an excellent treatment to aid in clearing up symptoms and strengthening the system. Traditional saunas and infrared saunas both produce an increase in heart rate and widening of the blood vessels. This increases blood flow, improves cardiovascular function, and moves nutrient-rich, oxygenated blood throughout the body.
How does this help our lungs and our breathing? An increase in circulation in a sauna creates a more efficient system, something which benefits the respiratory system. High blood pressure suddenly will come down, reducing strain on our system. The pain related to musculo-skeletal disorders reduces to such an extent that it almost disappears. Chronic tension headaches decrease. This all means your body’s working better. It’s pumping blood easier and breathing easier.
Improves lung function and breathing in vulnerable individuals
If you suffer from lung diseases such as asthma or chronic bronchitis, a sauna will help your breathing and lungs. For years in fact, saunas have been included in treatment programs for breathing and respiratory issues. This is because the airway conductivity opens up easier when heat’s surrounding it. This is why a sauna produces so many positive benefits in people with congestion. Any cold or flu symptoms like this disappear in five or ten minutes, if even. Another study found that frequent sauna visits reduced the chances of developing pneumonia.
If you have breathing issues, not only is a sauna enjoyable and relaxing but it’s an activity that helps. If you have an unstable heart or low blood pressure, saunas are not recommended. Otherwise though, it’s worth speaking to your doctor about if you fall into the category of individuals who have breathing issues or who are prone to lung complications.
Why are saunas so effective with long-term risk of respiratory illnesses?
Though these studies are readily available to be explored, we do not know the precise mechanisms on how saunas reduce the risk of respiratory diseases. The primary theory that’s believed is that the heat from sauna helps to increase moisture on congestion in the lungs therefore help draining them and improving ventilation. At the same time, scientists see that saunas reduce inflammation and oxidative stress – both of which are connected to the development of chronic conditions and disease.
A sauna or heat therapy room is working from both sides – it’s attacking respiratory symptoms directly while also calming down the body in such a way that the cause of these chronic respiratory conditions are handled.
Some statistics on what studies have found about saunas
Sauna’s benefits on the respiratory system and breathing are still being studied however there’s already concrete conclusions we can share. These statistics have us excited about the future of treatment of respiratory conditions with saunas.
People with a high cardio-respiratory fitness level and high sauna use have a 40% lower risk across all causes of mortality.
People who use a sauna 4 or more times a risk have a 41% lower risk of respiratory disease, evidenced in a massive 26-year study looking at traditional sauna use.
Saunas produce a number of processes related to the respiratory system, instantly decreasing lung congestion while increasing vital capacity, tidal volume, minute ventilation, and actually forcing an expiratory volume of the lung.
How does a steam room compare to a sauna for respiratory benefits?
By some, steam rooms are actually preferred over saunas to treat respiratory conditions, and symptoms of flus and colds. Steam rooms are known to have a higher humidity setting than infrared saunas especially but also traditional saunas.
If you are suffering from a chronic cough or lung problems, for example, you may not see more advantages to using a steam room for a chronic cough. Although saunas still present strong benefits, it’s worth looking at if a steam room’s better for what you need it to do. Although they are more expensive and can be more of a challenge to install, the argument can be made a steam room’s better.
Are you looking for a sauna or steam room to install in your home to treat a breathing issue, respiratory condition, cold and flu symptoms, or a lung problem? Speak with a steam sauna service representative today at Steam Sauna.