Bathing in dry, hot air is known the world over. The people of South Asia, Central America and Europe have already got to know it. Although this type of relaxation was quite common in all neighbouring countries, in our country the sauna has only recently become popular.
What is a sauna?
A sauna is a room in which we stay at a high temperature and, depending on the type of sauna, it is characterised by high or low humidity. We spend from a few to several dozen minutes in the sauna, and the stay in the sauna has properties improving circulation. It usually ends with a bath in cool water. There is several types of sauna. Among the most well-known is the dry sauna, otherwise known as the Finnish sauna. This is a sauna with relatively low humidity, where the temperature reaches 75-100 °C. We can also encounter salt saunas, as well as infrared saunas.
History and popularity of the sauna
Saunas have been built by Finnish peoples since time immemorial. However, the steam bath itself has been known to the Greeks, Romans and Germans for many centuries. The sauna is most popular in Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and also Russia; it plays an important social role in these countries, which is why in Finland saunas are found at almost every institution. Finns have about one million saunas for a population of less than five million.
Sauna - what are the health benefits?
The beneficial effects of the traditional sauna are due to the combination of the processes of overheating the body through the interaction of dry and hot air with periodically high humidity and cooling it down.
Man has long noticed that a properly overheated body becomes more resistant to colds, rheumatism and other illnesses. A stay in the sauna accelerates blood circulation. In addition, the processes of alternate warming and cooling of the body strengthen our blood vessels and harden our body, mobilising the immune system to defend itself.
There are certain groups of diseases in which sauna use is particularly beneficial. These include diseases of the cardiovascular system, i.e. all cardiovascular neuroses, functional peripheral vascular diseases, the early stages of hypertension.
The sauna also helps with diseases of the nervous system, such as neuroses, sleep disorders and neuralgia. It also raises the body temperature to a small extent, which accelerates the metabolism. The production of immune bodies is also stimulated during sauna treatments. People who use the sauna frequently are less likely to succumb to coldsand unnecessary toxins escape from their bodies with sweat. The high temperature helps with tendonitis and muscle strain. It also helps with rheumatic pains and root pains, and to recover from joint sprains and bone fractures.
While in the sauna, the airways are cleansed. It is therefore recommended for people suffering from bronchitis and sinusitis. The sauna also has an extremely positive effect on female illnesses, such as menstrual disorders. It is also recommended for diseases of the musculoskeletal system, i.e. all joint and bone injuries, mild forms of rheumatic diseases, and diseases of the respiratory system: upper respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis, some forms of bronchial asthma.
The sauna also has a beneficial effect on skin prone to oiliness. Sauna bathing also increases the production of endorphins in the body, which helps to generally relax and improve the mood.
Contraindications to sauna use
Unfortunately, people suffering from hypertension, varicose veins and coronary artery disease should avoid sauna bathing. Hypertension or diseases of the circulatory system exclude them. People with circulatory insufficiency should also absolutely not use it. It is not indicated for organic diseases of the nervous system, lungs, kidneys, liver, malignant tumours, mycosis fungoides, acute rheumatic conditions, glaucoma and daltonism.
